Sepang Test :Everything you want to know about ADV News, Photos & Exclusive stories.

<p>On the last day of the Sepang pre-season test, four riders, headed by the reigning MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia, set lap times in the 1m56s zone, thereby dominating the day. Although his record was broken on Wednesday, Bagnaia still managed to set the stage for the first 1-minute and 56-second laps of the venue during Thursday's opening hour thanks to the ideal grip. Despite many attempts by competitors to launch single-lap attacks, Bagnaia's remarkable record of 1m56.682s remained unbroken all day long.</p>

<p>On the Pramac Ducati, Jorge Martin—who had set the fastest time on the first day—came very close to surpassing Bagnaia, clocking 1 minute, 56.854 seconds. Third place went to Enea Bastianini, the factory Ducati rider and the quickest qualifier the day before, who set a lap time of 1 minute 56.915. The fact that no MotoGP rider has ever managed a lap time of less than 1 minute and 57 seconds at Sepang before this day emphasises the importance of the accomplishment. With a time of 1 minute, 56.938 seconds, Alex Marquez of Gresini Ducati became the fourth rider on the day to break the 1 minute, 57-second barrier at Sepang, continuing the remarkable performance.</p>

<h2>2024 MotoGP Sepang Test: Day Three Result</h2>

<p>On the third day, Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia ended that streak by finishing fifth. While Maverick Vinales and Miguel Oliveira, two other Aprilia riders, are still getting to know the <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/motogp-sepang-test-aero-devices-on-2024-motorcycles-go-all-out-on-being-f1-inspired-116089/">2024 Aprilia RS-GP</a>, Espargaro showed off an impressive combination of stability and greater downforce.</p>

<p><img alt="Ducati Martin " height="720" src="/uploads/2024/02/Ducati-Martin-.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>Marc Marquez, Gresini's high-profile recruit, jumped into the top ten, despite a disappointing showing in terms of single-lap pace on Tuesday and Wednesday. His encouraging racing speed suggests a promising beginning to the season. Meanwhile, Di Giannantonio, the newest member of VR46, had a tough time of it and ended up in seventh place while riding a bike setup he wasn't a fan of.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After a late-day crash, teammate Marco Bezzecchi finished 17th, putting him the only full-time Ducati rider to finish outside the top seven. On his Gas Gas-badged Tech3-run KTM, rookie Pedro Acosta maintained his impressive adaptability and finished seventh. With a timing of 1 minute and 57.365 seconds, he was the best KTM rider of the day, just a hundredth slower than Brad Binder's best RC16 performance from Wednesday.</p>

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="490">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" width="51"><strong>Pos</strong></td>
			<td width="166"><strong>Rider</strong></td>
			<td width="135"><strong>Team</strong></td>
			<td width="74"><strong>Time</strong></td>
			<td width="64"><strong>Laps</strong></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">1</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Pecco Bagnaia</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Ducati Team</td>
			<td>1'56"682</td>
			<td>47</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">2</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Jorge Martin</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Pramac Racing</td>
			<td>+0"172</td>
			<td>47</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">3</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Enea Bastianini</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Ducati Team</td>
			<td>+0"233</td>
			<td>35</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">4</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Alex Márquez</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Gresini Racing</td>
			<td>+0"256</td>
			<td>49</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">5</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Aleix Espargaro</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Aprilia Racing</td>
			<td>+0"409</td>
			<td>48</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">6</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Marc Marquez</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Gresini Racing</td>
			<td>+0"588</td>
			<td>54</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">7</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Fabio Di Giannantonio</td>
			<td>&nbsp;VR46 Team</td>
			<td>+0"661</td>
			<td>55</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">8</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Pedro Acosta</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Tech3</td>
			<td>+0"683</td>
			<td>41</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">9</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Joan Mir</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Repsol Honda</td>
			<td>+0"692</td>
			<td>30</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">10</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Brad Binder</td>
			<td>&nbsp;KTM Factory</td>
			<td>+0"780</td>
			<td>53</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">11</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Fabio Quartararo</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Yamaha Factory</td>
			<td>+0"843</td>
			<td>53</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">12</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Maverick Vinales</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Aprilia Racing</td>
			<td>+0"846</td>
			<td>57</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">13</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Takaaki Nakagami</td>
			<td>&nbsp;LCR Honda</td>
			<td>+1"083</td>
			<td>32</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">14</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Jack Miller</td>
			<td>&nbsp;KTM Factory</td>
			<td>+1"169</td>
			<td>57</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">15</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Alex Rins</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Yamaha Factory</td>
			<td>+1"197</td>
			<td>52</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">16</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Johann Zarco</td>
			<td>&nbsp;LCR Honda</td>
			<td>+1"260</td>
			<td>41</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">17</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Marco Bezzecchi</td>
			<td>&nbsp;VR46 Team</td>
			<td>+1"313</td>
			<td>56</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">18</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Miguel Oliveira</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Trackhouse Racing</td>
			<td>+1"318</td>
			<td>52</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">19</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Luca Marini</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Repsol Honda</td>
			<td>+1"344</td>
			<td>40</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">20</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Cal Crutchlow</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Test team Yamaha</td>
			<td>+1"991</td>
			<td>45</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">21</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Augusto Fernandez</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Tech3</td>
			<td>+2"058</td>
			<td>60</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">22</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Lorenzo Savadori</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Trackhouse Racing</td>
			<td>+2"132</td>
			<td>64</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20">23</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Michele Pirro</td>
			<td>&nbsp;Pramac Racing</td>
			<td>+2"183</td>
			<td>43</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

<p>Joan Mir, the top Honda rider, finished in ninth place. Coming in eleventh place overall,<a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/motogp-yamaha-reveals-2024-season-livery-with-indian-flag-colours-ahead-of-upcoming-sepang-test-116047/"> Fabio Quartararo stood out as Yamaha</a>'s fastest rider. He was four positions and three-tenths faster than his new teammate Alex Rins, demonstrating how the M1 still has problems in single-lap situations even though its power output has been improved.</p>

<p>Later this month, a two-day session in Qatar will wrap up the MotoGP pre-season testing, preparing for the opening round in early March at the same location.</p>


2024 MotoGP Sepang Test: Ducati's Pecco Bagnaia Dominant on Third Day, Sets New Lap Record

The current MotoGP champion, Pecco Bagnaia, set a new lap record for the premier class on the last day of the 2024 preseason test at Sepang. In his second test with Ducati, Marc Marquez finished sixth, six-tenths behind the Italian.

<p>At Sepang, the 2024 MotoGP pre-season testing began with a full grid, marking a turning point in the championship' continuing aero revolution. Impressive photos from this week's testing at the Sepang International Circuit show that aerodynamic improvements have been a focus of MotoGP for a long time, but that the 2024 season saw a notable increase. During the winter break, all five manufacturers stepped up their aero development efforts, but Aprilia really stood out with its creative solutions that were meant to help them catch up to Ducati and KTM. Under the leadership of Head of Vehicle Marco de Luca, Aprilia Racing has made waves with its groundbreaking aerodynamic ideas, highlighting its resolve to fight on the biggest stage.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>2024 MotoGP Sepang Test: The Aero Devices</h2>

<p>There were a lot of new aerodynamic innovations that were revealed during the three-day shakedown that was held at the same circuit earlier. Among these were improvements to the seat unit, elaborate side structures, and updated front wing profiles. <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/motogp-trackhouses-miguel-oliveira-to-ride-same-2024-aprilia-bike-as-vinales-and-espargaro-115701/">The 2024 Aprilia RS-GP</a>, effectively controlled by Miguel Oliveira was noticeable for its fascinating array of pitot tubes fastened to the seat.</p>

<p><img alt="MotoGP Aprilia 1 " height="720" src="/uploads/2024/02/MotoGP-Aprilia-1-.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>Drawing parallels to Formula 1' and <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/2024-motogp-sepang-test-ducatis-enea-bastianini-sets-new-lap-record-on-second-day-116084/">MotoGP pre-season testing</a> further highlights the visual impact of Oliveira's setup. An 'aero rake' pitot tube array is commonly seen on Formula One vehicles, which is in sharp contrast to the supposedly charming layout on Oliveira's bike.</p>

<p>Aprilia appears to have found practical advantages from such setups, despite the inherent issue of placing multiple aero sensors on a motorcycle due to its dynamic movements, in contrast to the more stable F1 cars. Even while pitot tubes were commonplace in Formula One in the past, they now look strange on MotoGP bikes, highlighting the unique developmental trajectory of each series.</p>

<p><img alt="F1 Testing" height="720" src="/uploads/2024/02/F1-Testing.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>As a bonus, it's a sobering reminder of how the MotoGP bike's back half has become such a prominent and crucial arena for growth. In contrast to other domains, MotoGP's technical requirements have less of an impact here. Aero body restrictions and a season limit on upgrade homologations are in place in MotoGP, although there is some wiggle room.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>2024 MotoGP Sepang Test: How Effective are Aero Devices on Motorcycles?</h2>

<p>Aero is more than just an afterthought; it embodies the comprehensive viewpoint that underpinned the development of today's MotoGP bikes. Every part of riding is affected by this paradigm shift, which questions the traditional view of motorcycles as just machines. Although renowned MotoGP World Champions such as Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo are undeniably skilled riders, they showcase their abilities on bikes where aero is treated as an afterthought or an accessory till the end of the 2023 season.</p>

<p>In 2027, there will be a change to the regulations of MotoGP, which would limit aero liberties significantly. Nevertheless, there are still three more seasons to go before this shift, and the terrain is littered with varied areas of emphasis for the next years, not to mention the difficulty of juggling competing priorities.</p>


MotoGP Sepang Test: Aero Devices on 2024 Motorcycles Go All Out on Being F1-Inspired

Aprilia made waves in the MotoGP paddock with its inventive aerodynamic enhancements, deploying creative solutions aimed at narrowing the gap to rivals Ducati and KTM.

<p>Yamaha has revealed the livery for its 2024 MotoGP contender ahead of the inaugural full-fledged pre-season test at the Sepang International Circuit. Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 champion, and Alex Rins, the newest Yamaha rider, gave an exclusive look at the unique paint job that will be on their bikes this season during a presentation in Malaysia on Monday. The blue-and-black colour combination is an extension of the look that was first seen on the M1 in 2019 when &nbsp;Monster Energy secured the title sponsorship of Yamaha Factory Racing. Notably, the livery has a slight representation of the Indian tricolour and features the "Call of the Blue" campaign.</p>

<p>This year takes on more importance for Yamaha as the Japanese manufacturer prepares for the 2024 season. After suffering its first winless MotoGP campaign in 20 years last season, Yamaha is determined to turn things around and get back on track this season.</p>

<h2>MotoGP: Yamaha's 2023 Season</h2>

<p>New technical concessions are in store for the following season for both Yamaha (ranked fourth) and Honda (ranked fifth), who finished last in the constructors' standings in 2023. Some of the concessions include making an exception to the engine design freeze, providing more opportunities for aerodynamic development, allowing six wild cards, and offering <a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/motogp-honda-could-hold-22-private-tests-during-2024-season-115845/">private testing with race riders</a> as an option.</p>

<p>With Quartararo clocking in at number fourth fastest (+0.249s) and Rins at number seven (+0.354s), it was clear that these allowances were being used at the recent Sepang Shakedown, which was held before the official test.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When developing their motors for 2024, Yamaha sought the input of Luca Marmorini, a former head of engines for Formula 1. This strategic partnership is part of a larger effort to bring a more European viewpoint to the primarily Japanese spirit of the brand.</p>

<h2>MotoGP: Whats New in 2024 M1 prototype</h2>

<p><img alt="MotoGP Yamaha 2024 Livery 1 " height="720" src="/uploads/2024/02/MotoGP-Yamaha-2024-Livery-1-.jpg" width="1280" /></p>

<p>Yamaha spent months developing the 2024 prototype, but riders' preliminary reactions at last year's Misano and<a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/motogp-valencia-post-season-test-marc-marquez-rides-makes-ducati-debut-pedro-acosta-joins-the-grid-115385/"> Valencia tests</a><a href="https://www.autox.com/motorsport-news/motogp-valencia-test-quartararo-highlights-yamahas-development-and-areas-for-improvement-after-2024-testing-115408/"> were, to put it mildly, unsatisfactory</a>. &nbsp;The French rider conceded that Yamaha still has a long way to go before it can be considered competitive, even though he did acknowledge the M1's improved aerodynamics. Nonetheless, his overall assessment of the bike was unsatisfactory. As part of MotoGP's new concessions structure, manufacturers like Yamaha and Honda have been given more leeway in terms of research and testing. As a result, the brand should be able to catch up to its European competitors like Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM.</p>

<p>Quartararo and Rins will be doing further testing at Losail later this month, and the Yamaha M1 will be on display during the official pre-season test in Sepang from 6-8 February. On 10 March, the 2024 season will kick off at the Qatar venue.</p>


MotoGP: Yamaha Reveals 2024 Season Livery with Indian Flag Colours Ahead of Upcoming Sepang Test

Yamaha is trying to get back on track after suffering its first winless MotoGP season since 2003 while also trying to get Quartararo to sign a new contract extension.

Sepang Test

2024 MotoGP Sepang Test: Ducati's Pecco Bagnaia Dominant on Third Day, Sets New Lap Record

MotoGP Sepang Test: Aero Devices on 2024 Motorcycles Go All Out on Being F1-Inspired

MotoGP: Yamaha Reveals 2024 Season Livery with Indian Flag Colours Ahead of Upcoming Sepang Test

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