Has MotoGP reached its limit at Mugello? 

The Mugello circuit offers an idyllic setting nestled in the Tuscan hills and the transalpine route is very popular with many drivers. MotoGP. One of these characteristics is its 1.1 km long straight, placing it second on the calendar circuits behind Austin. 

Before braking to enter the San Donato corner, the MotoGP riders are approaching 360 km/h more and more often (363.6 km/h for Jorge Martin in the race, the record). To see this better, simply change the unit: 360 km/h is 100 m/s… So obviously, they only reach this speed at the speed-trap (point which records the speeds peak), but they must still be able to reach the apex point after braking.

Technology advances and so does speed

With aerodynamic developments, the ride height device at the rear or front like at Ducati and Aprilia, carbon brakes, aren't MotoGP going too fast? “It’s borderline, we can’t do anything about it,” said fabio quartararo. But I think the bump (at the exit of the pitlane, editor's note) is too high for a MotoGP. Making it flatter would be better, but there are quite a few clearances, so in the end it's not scary. When you see the images where it moves, it's impressive, but on the bike it's fine, as long as there is plenty of clearance. »

First flying lap and the first rider runs off track! ⚠️@jackmilleraus gets his braking all wrong for turn 1! 💢#MotoGP | #ItalianGP 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/pfdrhnGg5P

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) May 27, 2022

Fairings have been the subject of much discussion lately. For many people in the paddock, they make overtaking difficult and it is sometimes even dangerous to follow another driver. Some falls, like that of Alex Rins at Le Mans, are caused by this aerodynamic effect on the slipstream or in groups. “I should already be able to hold the motorcycles in front of me (laughs), joked Quartararo. For those who manage to hold on, it is quite dangerous, especially in groups. Alone, you can always save yourself, but in a group it's quite dangerous. »

Johann Zarco affirms for his part that the front ride height device makes braking at the end of a straight line safer. “(…) What I find most amazing is that if the conditions are good, we will go 1'44 at Mugello,” explains the Ducati rider. This is madness. Besides the speed, it's everything else that's amazing. With the bike lowering in front, the end of the line is almost safer than before. If you lean the bike, it shakes, but if you stay straight, it doesn't jerk at all and that's interesting. »

We are passing through a zone of turbulence, please return to your seat…

Aleix Espargaro almost hit Miguel Oliveira in FP1 at the end of the line and the Portuguese even had to bite off the track. “It’s turbulence,” explained Aleix Espargaro. It's dangerous, yes. We talked about it, I told him I was sorry, but he told me there was no reason, because I had moved on from him. Only that generated turbulence, and with the wind I was shifted to the left and he had to pass through the grass. But I remember that five or six years ago, we arrived at this bend with the bike moving. The ailerons created turbulence, yes, but (provided stability). We go 360 km/h and I could stick one hand out if I wanted to. The motorcycle passes easily. »

Easy lads, it's only FP1! ⚠️@AleixEspargaro and @ _moliveira88 get a little too close for comfort over the crest into turn 1! 😱#MotoGP | #ItalianGP 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/sIxWwAOiai

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) May 27, 2022

According to Espargaro, more than on its engine, Aprilia put a lot of effort into the wind tunnel to develop its fairings. “I saw the figures in the wind tunnel,” he confided. Aprilia has invested a lot of money this last year in a wind tunnel, the best in Europe, we have been there several times with Maverick (Viñales) and they are trying a lot of things to progress. The fins I have are incredible, the stability I have and the power level we use, it's awesome. »

Even if it makes the bike safer and Ducati and Aprilia continue its development, the front ride height device will be banned from 2023 and from next year, Aprilia will only be able to make one update to its aerodynamic fairing. 

And then... asking a MotoGP rider to drive slower is impossible, but questions arise about the dangerousness of certain braking (or turns) in MotoGP. Brembo also offers a much larger front disc for certain tracks like Motegi (Japan) or Buriram (Thailand). Drivers often discuss the subject during the Safety Commission which brings together all volunteer drivers every Friday of a Grand Prix weekend.