MotoGP gets ready to launch as teams head to Qatar for test
MotoGP 2021 finally gets underway this week with tests in Qatar, here’s ten things you need to look for as t he track action begins…
MotoP P makes returns this week with two tests in P atar. It’s been a long winter for everyone with riders swapping manufacturers and premier class rookies desperate to get their first taste of MotoP P power. Phe season starts here. Four days for the entire grid, plus an extra day for rookies and test riders. Phese tests will shape the narrative of the opening two rounds, which will also be held in P atar. So who should you be keeping an eye onP
1 POL ESPARGARO’S HONDA DEBUT
Pol Espargaro’s move to HPC has created more hype than when Jorge Lorenzo arrived at Pepsol. Phere’s a real belief he just might be able to tame the beast and give Marc Marquez a real intra-team battle. Phe Spaniard led P PM’s project from day one and by the time he was finished the PCP6 was a threetime race winner and multiple podium bike. P ow, he must start over and adapt quickly to the PCP. So, why the hypePPut simply, Espargaro is known for his aggressive riding style. He likes being on the very edge and on a bike with an unpredictable nature. He’d choose the unstable Honda over the smooth Pamaha MPany day.
It’s this attitude that gives him a chance at HPC. Phere are some similarities between the PCP6 and PC2PPP, namely that both have 90-degree PP engines. However, the Honda is on another level when it comes to handling difficulties. It may be slightly tamer thanks to Marquez’s season-long injury though. Without him, HPC turned to their other riders to develop the bike, rather than building it solely around Marquez.
HPC will hope Espargaro adapts quickly because without Marquez P he is already missing the tests P he may well become their best hope of becoming champions in 202P.
2 JACK MILLER: DUCATI’S NEW LEADER
Six years after making his premier class debut Jack Miller is finally a factory rider. P ot only that, but he’s leading Ducati’s project. Ducati have put their faith in
Miller to follow in fellow Australian Casey Stoner’s footsteps and bring them the top prize. Phis is easier said than done as Miller and Ducati have plenty of work to do in P atar in order to find some consistency.
All four P P20 riders suffered with the front-end last year due to the increased grip from Michelin’s rear tyre, while their traditional turning woes were still present to some degree. Expect Miller, alongside Francesco Bagnaia and Pramac’s Johann Parco, to be focusing on chassis and bike balance in P atar. Miller now gets first crack at any new parts and, for the first time, will be able to give honest feedback and receive updates based on what he wants. Phat alone makes him a contender. Ducati have the best record in P atar in recent times so expect Miller to be at the sharp end.
3 YOUNG GUNS AT YAMAHA
Franco Morbidelli finished runner-up on the A-Spec 20P9 MPlast year and he’s keeping that machine this season P whilst Fabio P uartararo and Maverick P iPales get brandnew MPs. Phat’s not necessary a bad thing though.
At the team launch, factory team manager Massimo Meregalli saidP PPhe direction that Pamaha take for this year’s bike is probably going to be closer to Franky’s chassis compared to what we had in the factory team.P Whilst Morbidelli’s bike is older, the factory team want what he has. P uartararo and P iPales will be working with parts designed to bring their 202PMPs closer to the 20P9 MP. Meregalli revealed that Pamaha will be testing a new fairing, for extra
speed and better cooling, a swingarm and a new exhaust in Qatar. It remains to be seen how helpful the young guns will be with the development, but Viñales has been desperate to lead the project for some time now, and with Rossi gone, he can do just that.
4 VALENTINO GOES SATELLITE RACING
Valentino Rossi is a satellite rider for the first time since 2001. Of course, the difference between factory and satellite is very slim and Rossi has a new factory-spec M1 at his disposal.
The unknown factor is just how much influence the Italian will have on development. He has the experience, but will Quartararo and Viñales want Yamaha’s direction to be influenced by the veteran former champ?
It’s also going to be interesting to see how Rossi performs at the test. He’s out of the pressure cooker of a factory garage and, as we just mentioned, may have a smaller development role at Petronas. Rossi will be working with close friend and VR46 Academy pupil Morbidelli, which can only be seen as a bonus… for now.
5 THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
Joan Mir shocked the world when he clinched Suzuki’s first title in 20 years. He and Suzuki were super consistent, whilst Alex Rins also played a huge part. It’s likely Rins would have secured the one-two for Suzuki were it not for his shoulder injury. However, Suzuki are now the targets, not the challengers, so the pressure will rise, and questions will be asked. How will they cope without team boss Davide Brivio and how do you improve the GSX-RR, the best allround bike on the grid?
We’ll get our first glimpse in Qatar, but project leader Shinichi Sahara has hinted at some chassis work as they look to fix their qualifying woes.
6 PETRUCCI’S KTM DEBUT
Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira now lead KTM’s project whilst Iker Lecouna also stays. However, they now have 10 years’ worth of MotoGP experience in their garages thanks to Danilo Petrucci.
After six years at Ducati the twotime race winner is rebooting his career in the orange of Tech3. Like Pol Espargaro’s Honda switch, Petrux’s transition to the RC16 is going to be fascinating to watch. KTM now have three riders who all won races in 2020 on their books. Due to their success, KTM have lost their concessions but are still able to homologate a new engine for the first race. But they’ll have two fewer engines to last the season, going from nine down to seven, so will need to increase engine life without losing any performance.
7 CAN LCR HELP?
Taka Nakagami is eager to find out what parts he and Alex Marquez will receive in Qatar. Both have the latest-spec RC213Vs and want to be involved as much as possible whilst Marc Marquez is away. The more influence they have, the easier the bike will be to ride. Honda are in a good spot as Stefan Bradl tested a new exhaust, swingarm and frame at Jerez.
8 APRILIA TRY AGAIN
Unfortunately, the muchhyped 2020 Aprilia RS-GP was a disappointment. Expectations were high, and the bike looked the part, but the big leap forwards didn’t happen. Vast improvements are needed. Having concessions allows Aprilia to homologate new engine and aero parts. Last year’s engine was turned down due to reliability worries, whilst Aleix Espargaro was unable to get what power he did have to the ground.
9 ENTER THE ROOKIES
Jorge Martin, Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini make their premier class debuts on Ducatis this year. Of the three, only Martin will receive the 2021 machine, whilst Moto2 champ Bastianini and runner-up Marini will be on GP19s, running the spec used by Johann Zarco last season. With limited track time, these five days in Qatar will be crucial.
10 CAL GOES TESTING
Cal Crutchlow is expected to make his debut as the official Yamaha test rider in Qatar. It’s the first time he’s ridden an M1 since 2013 so it may take him a little time to adjust, but once up to speed his input should prove invaluable.