Photo via Crash.net

Ducati, Aprilia respond to "fast" 850cc MotoGP lap times

Ducati and Aprilia have addressed concerns over the competitive lap times of their new 850cc MotoGP bikes, which leaked data suggests could rival the current 1000cc machines at select circuits. Despite initial skepticism, both manufacturers emphasize that the primary goal of the 2027 regulations—reducing top speeds—remains intact.

Ducati Corse’s Gigi Dall’Igna and Aprilia Racing’s Massimo Rivola highlighted that while single-lap times may appear close to 2026 levels, the focus is on curbing excessive cornering speeds and overall power output, with estimates pointing to around 50 horsepower less in the new engines. Rivola noted the recent record-breaking speeds of 368.6 km/h (229 mph) set by Aprilia riders Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi at Mugello, underscoring the need for adjustments to enhance safety without sacrificing handling ease, as riders have already praised the bikes’ improved manageability during testing.

Beyond engine changes, MotoGP’s new rules will also eliminate ride-height devices, further restrict aerodynamics, and introduce fuel limits tailored to the smaller engines, though a four-kilogram weight reduction aims to offset some performance trade-offs. The shift to Pirelli tires adds another variable, as their impact on lap times and race distances remains untested.

While the bikes may show minimal time gaps in isolated laps, Rivola cautioned that endurance performance could differ significantly over a full race, leaving the full picture unclear until December’s post-season testing in Valencia.

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