Red Bull gives them wings

the RC16 Motogp bike has sprouted yet more wings. KTM technical director Sebastian Risse explains what’s happening where

MAIN WINGS

For pure anti-wheelie the ideal is to have them horizontal [rather than slightly droopy]. But you want downforce on the straight, rear contact on the brakes, nice handling, good turning… everything. In 2022 we made the bike for aero and it achieved its primary target (more downforce) but the other behaviour was a disaster.

BIG HOLE

This feeds the engine and is used to cool various components and the rider. It’s not an aerodynamic device [ie, it doesn’t specifically channel air out the back or side of the bike].

MUDGUARD WINGLETS

This mainly affects downforce, but works in a different way on unsprung mass. After testing [this shot is from Sepang – Ed], it’s gone back into development.

FRONT TYRE VENT

This is a tool to fine-tune the front tyre temperature. It can be used when weather conditions require more front tyre cooling.

RIDER SIZE

The effect of the rear wing is completely different depending if you have Dani Pedrosa (5ft 2in) or Augusto Fernandez (6ft) riding. [Brad Binder shown here is somewhere in between, at 5ft 6in].

REAR WING

This is not homologated so KTM can change it race by race. The flow behind the rider is very turbulent and the wing tries to reattach the flow as soon as possible to reduce drag.

SIDE WINGS

Help control the airflow over the side of the bike, working with the fairing shape itself.

REAR TYRE WING

Helps cool the rear tyre.

GROUND EFFECT

There is always ground effect [where a fast-moving body can be sucked to the ground if it’s close enough] because the bikes are very close to the ground in corners. So we have to use it properly. Work in this area is becoming far more detailed.

‘We have to use ground effect properly – so work in this area is becoming far more detailed’