With the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship campaign around the corner and big regulation changes already announced, including weight limit changes and a reduced fuel tank capacity, all eyes are on how teams adapt to the new rules. Speaking at Ducati’s stunning launch in Madonna di Campiglio, Ducati Corse’s General Manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, explained how Ducati will work on the new rules during the upcoming tests at Jerez and Portimao before the paddock heads to Australia for the season-opening Australian Round.
“WE PROBABLY HAVE 5 OR 6 KILOS TO ADD…”: Dall’Igna on 2024 weight regulations
During the Jerez test at the end of the 2023 season, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) revealed how adding 7kg to the bike ‘wasn’t easy’, although the actual amount that will be added is yet to be determined. During the team launch, Dall’Igna estimated it could be around 5 or 6 kilograms and explained how testing for the factory Ducati team will be devoted to working on this new rule as well as fuel consumption, with a reduction in fuel tank capacity to 21 litres coming into effect for 2024.
Discussing the new regulations, Dall’Igna said: “It’s not easy. We have probably 5 or 6 kilos to add to the bike at the start of the season, depending on Alvaro’s weight. It’s not easy to put this ballast on the bike. We have to try during the tests to find what will be the best position in order to reduce the problem as much as problem. On fuel capacity, it’s another important difference compared to last year. We’ll have to manage fuel consumption better to not have trouble during the race and we’ll need to be really focused on these two aspects.”
NEW DUCATI LINE-UP: Dall’Igna’s thoughts on the Bautista-Bulega combination
For this season, the factory Ducati squad have a new line-up. Bautista remains with the team for a third season in his second spell, while he’s joined by 2023 WorldSSP Champion Nicolo Bulega for his rookie campaign. At the launch event, Dall’Igna discussed the new rider line-up as the Bologna-based manufacturer goes in search of a third Riders’ Championship and Manufacturers’ Championship in a row.
“I’m really happy about the two riders,” Dall’Igna stated when talking about the revised rider line-up for this year. “One has the experience of being Champion, so it’s a guarantee for us. The second is a young rider that grew up very well in World Supersport. He was really fast during the test he had during the final part of last season, and I think, for the future, it’ll be important to have him on our bike.”
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Source: WorldSBK.com