Ducati has decided to halt development of its 2024 MotoGP bike as the title battle between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia enters the final phase.
With four events to go in the championship and 10 points separating Martin and Bagnaia in the standings, Ducati has halted the development of the GP24 so that the pair can fight for the title with the machinery they already know.
Bagnaia took his eighth win of the year and fourth double at Motegi last Sunday, completing a perfect weekend. After arriving in Japan with a 21-point deficit, the Italian recovered 11 points in a single event, confirming that the battle between him and the Spaniard is more open than ever.
Whether it is because of the equality between the two, contract commitments or a simple question of fair play, Ducati has decided to halt the development of the Desmosedici GP24.
Autosport understands that the last new development came at Silverstone, two months ago, and that was a fairing on the lower sides of the bike.
Despite the fact that Martin will leave the Borgo Panigale brand at the end of the season to join Aprilia in 2025, the Bolognese manufacturer's executives have continued to insist that the Spaniard will have exactly the same tools he had before his departure, to fight for what would be his first MotoGP title.
Bagnaia's and Martin's agreements with Ducati are identical, regardless of their pay, and this can be extrapolated to Enea Bastianini and Franco Morbidelli, the other two GP24 riders. That means that any improvement that one of them receives must be available to the other three.
Precisely for this reason, the most relevant elements that Ducati tested in the collective test held last month at Misano will no longer be incorporated on the GP24, but directly on the GP25.
"At Misano, I tested a new chassis, which neither I nor Jorge will be able to use this year. Basically, because it's an evolution that Ducati should be able to offer by contract to all the riders who ride the GP24. But unfortunately, there are not enough parts," Bagnaia told Autosport.
"Our bike [his and Martin's] will stay as it is until the end of the season. And it's a pity because it's an important step forward, which could probably help to make a difference. But Ducati was always clear about that, and the two bikes will be the same until the end. This chassis will be the starting point for next year's Ducati."
Ducati claims to give equal treatment to the two main title contenders, but that is obviously limited to this season. Martin's move to Aprilia meant that he did not test the chassis in question at the Marco Simoncelli circuit.
In fact, neither he nor any member of Pramac, which will switch to Yamaha bikes next season, was able to enter the Ducati's garage, something that was customary in testing.
Asked directly about the confidence he has in Ducati to keep its promise until the finale in Valencia, Martin said: "Ducati is backing me 100%. My bike is perfect and I'm convinced that it will stay that way until the world championship is over."
