Filippo Preziosi (preziosi btw means precious in Italian) has called the GP11 in these pics ’step zero’ because as he said during yesterday’s press conference “it represents the initial level from which we plan to evolve.
” So that could mean that Ducati will be developing during the season, something that Casey Stoner lamented (at least according to Wayne Gardner) that he didn’t get while he was with the Italian team.
What have they changed in this year’s bike so far? Read what Preziosi and his team of engineers have come up with and re-watch this video from Sportmediaset that we posted on Christmas Eve.
“The principal characteristics are the evolution of the motor and of the throttle body thought to obtain, fundamentally, a flatter and more useable power curve.
As for the chassis, the aerodynamics are completely new, with the goal of improving top speed, reducing consumption, and also reducing front lift as much as possible.
Other aspects we’re working on for the Malaysia tests in February are the new frame, which has already undergone various tests of rigidity and flex—for torsion and under braking—a swingarm with different rigidity characteristics, and a fork that combines the 2011 hydraulics with the 42mm tubes, instead of 48.
” “As for the electronics, we’re working on wheelie control and traction control.
These are all solutions that we’ll try out next week at Jerez with three days of testing and two development teams—one for Franco Battaini and one for Vittoriano Guareschi—and that Valentino and Nicky will then try in Malaysia.
We know that Valentino isn’t at 100%, and Sepang is a very ‘physical’ track, so we’ll try to optimize his sessions and to use his time on the track in a ’surgical’ way in order to have his feedback.
Many tests will also be entrusted to Nicky Hayden, who will be able to ride normally.
We’re working hard, but the atmosphere at Ducati is really nice, very electric and positive, and we can’t wait to get back on the track.
”