MotoGP Mugello: Aprilia’s F1-style rear wing ‘makes a difference’
The device appeared on the back of test rider Lorenzo Savadori’s RS-😼GP during Friday practice in I🐻taly.
Although the new aerodynamics were not tried by factory star Aleix Espargaro, who set the fastest time of the day, the Spaniard explained that the wing is designed to increase load on the rear wheel, impr❀oving the first phrase of braking performance:
I spy some new aero! has an interesting winglet on the tail unit of hi🍰s RS-GP!
— MotoGP (@MotoGP)
“I was not able to try the rear wing, but I saw the dataꦿ from the wind tunnel and it's interesting,” Espargaro said. “It looks like it's just pure marketing, but believe me, it makes a difference.
“Yeah, i🌌t reminds yꦜou of Formula One, but it gives a lot of weight in some places and now in MotoGP we're talking about details.
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“We are lacking a🦄 little bit of weight on the rear. This is why I cannot increase the engine brake, so I pushed them to cr𝓰eate more load on the rear.
“They're working in different areas to improve this and one [solution] was th𒅌e aero🧸dynamics.”
But having enjoyed such a strong start to the weekend, Espargaro thinks he will ♔n✱ow postpone trying the device for himself until the Catalunya test.
“Maybe the plan was to try tomorrow but the⭕ bike works good and I’m fast s﷽o I will wait,” he said.
One new Aprilia innovation Esp✤argaro did make use of on Friday was an upgraded eng♛ine.
“I tried the 🐎new engine. It’s not a huge difference but you could see the top speed of Maverick, Lorenzo and me has been quite fast. More than 350 and very close to the Ducati,” he said.
“We still have some problem with sixth gear, it’s very difficult this track with a small bump [on the main straight] because it creates some [spike] in the 💖RPMs.
“But the bike is fast, and I hope it will help me☂ on Sunday.”
Espargaro’s𒁃 tea𒅌m-mate Maverick Vinales was 17th fastest with Savadori 26th and last.
"Today we primarily tested the new aerodynamic item Aprilia brough🅠t," Savadori said. "There is still 💝work that needs to be done to make it perform better.
"That’s why I didn't focus on the time attack or pure speed, but I 🍨am extremely happy to be here in Mugello and to see Aleix competitive yet again."
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury ꧋issues.
