round are available to both Hon-
da and Yamaha this term, while
Ducati can have no wildcards,
and test rider Michele Pirro's has
fewer tires to test away from
Grand Prix than before.
Thankfully, both Japanese fac
-
tories have shown renewed ini-
tiative in recent months. Yamaha
has been aggressive in its hiring
policy, scooping up Max Bartolini
(Technical Director) and Marco
Nicotra (Senior Aerodynamics
Engineer) from Ducati. Lead rider
Quartararo has already noted a
change in approach in the fac
-
tory box.
For its part, Honda has in-
creased trackside personnel and
upped its aerodynamics game
over the winter months. "We
could see many new parts, a lot
of changes inside the team, in
-
side of Honda, and it's clear they
want to move on from this situ-
ation," said Mir. Expect improve-
ments from both factories soon.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
INCOMING?
One topic dogged the autumn of
last year: front-tire pressures. Af-
ter a rule was enforced mid-way
through 2023 to penalize those
below the stated minimum pres-
sure for more than half the race
would first receive a warning,
then a time penalty, there were
several occasions when race
results were altered 30 minutes
after the checkered flag. Fabio
Di Giannantonio memorably fell
afoul of the rule at Valencia,
where he lost his second place
after the podium ceremony.
The original intention was
to replace time penalties with
immediate disqualification for
those under the pressure for 50
percent of the race or more this
year. Yet riders (and teams) have
pleaded with Dorna and tire sup
-
plier Michelin to change it.
At the time of going to print, the
punishment for this crime has yet
to be confirmed. Yet it's believed
Michelin is willing to lower the
minimum front-tire pressure limit
from 1.88 bar to 1.80—a world of
difference for teams working with
such fine margins. Disqualifica
-
tions are set to be scrapped, with
time penalties only handed out
if the rider is under the minimum
for 60 percent of the race rather
than 50 percent: Still awaiting
confirmation at the time of go
-
ing to print. But hopefully, these
changes will avoid results repeat-
edly being altered after the race
has run.
Neil Morrison
WIND
IN THE
P60
The 2024 season will
be make or break
for former champion
Fabio Quartararo.
