Formula 1 on two wheels: 10 observations on the 2024 MotoGP season

1. Speed: There used to be talk about a second per lap every five years. This year, it's sometimes a second and a half faster compared to last year. Anyone who has ridden on a track knows that a second and a half is an eternity. Yes, races this year are faster. In fact, much faster. How much faster? Enea Bastianini’s time when he won at Silverstone this year was a whole minute faster than last year's race time under similar conditions. That’s three seconds per lap (and yes, there will be another sign!). Even the first race in Qatar was a minute faster.

   Not convinced? Consider this: the top 15 riders at Mugello this year were faster than Peco Bagnaia (see "relevant") at Mugello last year, which was held on the same date and in similar weather. By the way, Bagnaia won the race last year and also this year (one last sign in the opening section). Why is all this happening? Because the bikes are faster, the riders are more competitive, the regulations allow for lower tire pressure this year, and mainly because the new Michelin tires allow for faster racing with less tire management. Delightful.

   

2. Ducati: They promised that the 2024 model would be a leap forward compared to 2023, and they delivered – the last seven podiums in the championship were all filled by Ducati riders. Last season, the 2022 models competed for the championship, with Marco Bezzecchi almost until the last laps. Both Digia and the young Marquez won with the 2022 model. But at this moment, the 2023 models cannot match the 2024 trio of Bagnaia, Martin, and Bastianini (hereafter "the Beast," see "relevant"). Only the veteran Marquez (see "relevant") has managed to place himself among the leaders, being fourth in the championship. Excluding Morbidelli, who also moved to Ducati after four years with Yamaha (see "relevant"), and managed to crash a road bike in Portimao, essentially getting on the bike for the first time in the first race in Qatar, 2024 is a huge leap ahead of last year's model.

   The explanation is not only rapid development of the current season's model but also that last year’s models, according to Alex Marquez at least, are from the beginning of the season, not after a full season of development. Ducati’s already legendary team manager, Gigi Dall'Igna, promised that the 2023 models would also receive their own development this year to try to close the gap. But for now, apart from Marquez, who is not yet winning, and perhaps Digia (see "possible value") who is trailing behind Marquez – not the young Marquez, certainly not Bezzecchi (see "relevant") – are managing to replicate last year's abilities (Bezzecchi all season, and Digia at the end of 2023, when his sword was on his neck). And we haven’t yet reached the decision that shook the championship (see "relevant").

   

3. Bagnaia: The modest guy with the good eyes, who twice won the championship on the last lap, manages to squeeze the juice out of Ducati, lose the bike in (five) important races, lose the advantage, and then win again and again and again. Bagnaia’s secret weapon: his mental strength. While Jorge Martin (see "relevant") is brilliant but spectacularly falls apart, the Beast (see "relevant") is not consistent enough but is improving, and the veteran Marquez (see "relevant") is there but not all the way, Bagnaia appears to be a more stable candidate for the title. It’s not going to be easy, not at all. Martin manages to be incredibly fast, especially in crucial qualifying laps and sprint races; and the Beast is continually improving, but Bagnaia continues to stitch laps in good races like a Singer sewing machine of yesteryear, sewing and sewing and sewing, a kind of perpetual motion machine of riding that could last many more laps, only the checkered flag signals to Bagnaia that enough is enough, how much can you torment the riders behind. And we haven’t yet reached the decision that might disrupt the harmony in Ducati’s box next season (see "relevant").

4. Marquez: Marc Marquez. In January he will be 32, but he hasn’t lost an ounce of his hunger for victory that stunned the world when he sped to the championship in 2013, taking the title in his rookie season. Of his six championships – out of eight – he achieved all in MotoGP, all on Hondas tailored to his needs. Then came the injury at Jerez, the prolonged absence, the bike that lost direction, and the rider who couldn’t find relief for his burning desire for victory, agreeing to ride for free (according to unverified sources) in a satellite Ducati team (see "relevant"), on a year-old bike. Marquez was willing to turn his back on the brand that made him, to match Rossi's championship record (sadly, the Doctor will not have an entry), and even surpass it. However, in the thousand or so dark days since Marquez's last win in Misano in 2021, young and hungry riders have emerged, turning Ducati into a winning Formula.

   

   Marquez, whom many expected to return to engineering victories on a bike that achieved the world championship last year, has quickly placed himself among the leaders with nine podiums (out of 20 races) in sprint races and GP races. However, he struggles against the Bagnaia-Martin-Bastianini triangle (see "relevant"). Currently, we are 4-5 seconds slower per race, Marquez attributes the gap between the 2023 and 2024 models, and he is not wrong – the current model, as Ducati promised before the season, turns out to have sharpened its predecessor. Still, many expected the talent of this generation to overcome the gap, especially on a bike that won the championship last year.

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   Nevertheless, in order for the author not to end the season with egg on his face, it’s still very early to write off Marquez’s season – there are still ten rounds ahead, 20 races, with tracks that lean left, like Aragon and Valencia, which have always been more favorable to Marquez; a double race in Misano, where he achieved his last win, and also rounds in Thailand, Malaysia, and Australia, where he has always shone. As the season progresses, Marquez will better understand the bike and how to ride it. And if there is one thing we learned in the first half, it’s that Marquez’s gut is even deeper than the stitches in his left hand, and even in his early 30s, he is not afraid of scary crashes, and he spits pain between his eyes.

   Wait, it’s not over, and we are very close to discussing the decision that completely shook Ducati’s unified front and will reveal itself in one of two ways: hero or zero.

   

5. Martin and Bastianini: Martin is the kind of rider destined to win championships. Like all the greats, his brilliance was evident already in Moto3. His entry into MotoGP was accompanied by a storm, but a particularly painful crash in Portimao halted the momentum. Last year, he was very close to winning the championship but mental slackness, compared to Bagnaia’s (see "relevant") emotional steel, prevented him. He started this season with a great surge, and at the midpoint, he leads the championship by three points.

   Wait, there’s a historical summary – already last season, Martin announced that for him, there is only one address at Ducati (see "relevant") – the official factory team. It almost happened if he had won the championship.

   In contrast, Enea Bastianini, the Beast, was promoted to the factory team at Martin’s expense two years ago, but his previous season was marked by recurrent injuries and a lack of real connection with the 2023 model. The Beast, who shows that as laps count, he is riding and improving, is gradually connecting with the current model and positioning himself as a championship contender. He lacks consistency, and primarily a better position on the grid.

   In theory, Ducati’s dilemma should have been between the Beast and Martin – two riders at the prime of their careers, with many years ahead of them. The one not chosen was supposed to stay or move to the Pramac team, which holds official Ducatis in different colors.

   However, Marc Marquez (see "relevant") entered the picture, who rode the 2023 model and found it good – Marquez, the public relations and psychological maneuvering expert, announced at the start of the season that he saw himself on an official Ducati next year, as a one-year-old bike did not provide him with the necessary equipment to win the championship. This issue became extremely hot in the paddock, so hot that it was clear that the decision on the additional rider alongside Bagnaia would shake the entire season.

   How much would it shake? No one anticipated. Martin was already convinced that Ducati would fall into his lap (for some reason, no one talked about the Beast), and Marquez realized he had to make a move, lest he end up in a satellite team or switch to a third manufacturer within three years. The result: Marquez threw a grenade into the Ducati camp, essentially making Ducati's management and the team’s unity fall apart in their hands, and the beautiful-looking team for 2024 will be largely different, for better or worse. This decision will undoubtedly define the future of the Ducati team.

6. Yamaha: After decades of great riders and significant championships with the M1 bike, Yamaha has found itself in an awkward situation. In a time when factories with a long history of glory have been either investing in developing their bikes or adjusting the existing ones to new regulations, Yamaha has done nothing of the sort.

   In a season where all the top teams are actively working to improve their bikes and adapt them to changing conditions, Yamaha has chosen to stay in its comfort zone. While it has a rich history of success in MotoGP, the company has become stagnant. The M1, a bike that has historically performed well, is struggling to keep up with the rapid advancements made by competitors.

   This season, Yamaha has been overshadowed by Ducati's aggressive improvements and Honda's recent attempts to regain their former glory. The absence of substantial updates and a lack of clear strategy for the future have left Yamaha in a precarious position. Riders like Fabio Quartararo, who once had high hopes for the team, find themselves in a difficult situation with a bike that seems to be falling behind.

   Yamaha's challenge now is to find a way to reinvent itself and catch up with the competition. The company must decide whether to invest in new technology, develop a new bike, or risk becoming irrelevant in the ever-evolving world of MotoGP.

   

7. Suzuki: Suzuki’s departure from MotoGP was one of the biggest surprises of last year. After years of being a solid presence in the championship, the Japanese manufacturer decided to pull out, leaving fans and the paddock stunned. The GSX-RR, the bike that had been competitive in recent seasons, was no longer a part of the grid.

   The reasons behind Suzuki’s departure are still somewhat unclear, but it is believed that financial constraints and a shift in focus to other areas of the business played a significant role. The decision left a void in the championship and was a blow to fans who had grown to appreciate Suzuki’s presence in the paddock.

   Despite their departure, Suzuki’s legacy in MotoGP continues to be felt. The GSX-RR was known for its distinctive design and competitive performance. The team's departure has opened up opportunities for other manufacturers to fill the gap, and Suzuki’s absence has been keenly felt by many.

   Looking ahead, Suzuki’s decision will likely have long-term effects on the championship. The team's absence has created a space that other manufacturers are eager to fill, and the future of MotoGP will inevitably be shaped by the changes brought about by Suzuki’s departure.

8. Aprilia: Aprilia has shown significant progress in recent seasons, establishing itself as a competitive force in MotoGP. The RS-GP bike has been consistently improving, and the team has made considerable strides in both performance and consistency.

   Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales, the team’s riders, have been instrumental in the team’s success. Espargaró, in particular, has been a standout performer, demonstrating his skill and adaptability on the bike. Viñales, who joined Aprilia last season, has also made a strong impression with his performances.

   Aprilia’s progress is a testament to the team’s commitment to development and innovation. The manufacturer’s focus on refining its bike and improving performance has paid off, and the team has become a formidable competitor in the championship.

   The continued success of Aprilia will depend on its ability to maintain its momentum and build on the progress made in recent seasons. With a strong rider lineup and a commitment to development, Aprilia is well-positioned to continue its competitive streak in MotoGP.

9. Tech3 KTM: Tech3 KTM has been making waves in the MotoGP paddock with its impressive performances and progress. The KTM RC16 has shown significant improvement over the past few seasons, and the Tech3 team has played a crucial role in its development.

   The team’s riders, including the talented rookie Raul Fernandez, have been making strides in their performances. Fernandez, in particular, has shown great potential and has quickly adapted to the challenges of MotoGP. His performances have been a highlight for the Tech3 team and have contributed to its growing reputation.

   Tech3 KTM’s progress is a result of the manufacturer’s commitment to developing competitive bikes and investing in its rider lineup. The team’s continued focus on innovation and performance will be key to its future success in the championship.

   As the season progresses, Tech3 KTM will look to build on its achievements and further establish itself as a strong contender in MotoGP. With a promising rider lineup and a competitive bike, the team is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory.

10. The Championship: It is recovering from the blow of Rossi’s retirement (N/A = Not applicable, not applicable) and Marquez’s injury (N/A). This year, it was sold to Liberty, which owns Formula 1, so the marketing of the championship (which for some reason has been hiding the lower categories in the past two years) is expected to see a significant upgrade. Fans are also returning to the stands at most tracks (although the organizers have already made at least one mistake in reporting the number of spectators). But around the corner, in 2027, a major change awaits that might shake things up, perhaps more than the failed electric motorcycle series (Ducati N/A) or the Superbike Championship, which became a case study in marketing failure for a product that should have succeeded.

    In 2027, a series of technological changes will come into effect, chief among them a reduction in engine capacity to 850cc. The last time this happened, at the end of the first decade of the millennium, the races became particularly boring, so the proponents of this absurd idea quickly fled and returned to the 1000cc engines, which allowed for more overtaking due to their higher torque. This time, the changes might mix things up and alter the power dynamics between manufacturers.

    But before that, we still have the coming months. We have half a season and 20 races ahead, where one of four Ducati riders (yes, including Marquez N/A) is marked as a potential championship winner. And after that, two more seasons of the 1000cc monsters, which already exceed 350 km/h.

    Given all this, does the author recommend watching each of the races? Not at all. The author recommends watching each of the sessions, including the first session on Friday, where the riders are just stretching their muscles. He also recommends watching all live broadcasts, even if they fall in the early morning or in the middle of the workday, at 3 PM on Sunday. And if your boss thinks your strange hobby is annoying, then take the author’s advice - there is no workplace worth missing the live broadcasts of the races. Simply put, there isn't.

Championship Table

1. Jorge Martin (Prima) | 241
2. Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati) | 238
3. Ana Carrasco (Ducati) | 192
4. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing) | 179
5. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia) | 130

After 20 out of 40 races

The author is a rider with a (limited) track riding history, who has watched all the championship races since 1998, and still suffers from choking fits, involuntary jumps, and heart rate disturbances during live broadcasts of the races, despite the fact that his advanced age makes him closer to a pacemaker. He is so irresponsible.