Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has released their 2024 livery designs for the upcoming campaign. Jack Miller and Brad Binder continue their tenure with the Red Bull factory squad after a fruitful 2023 season. The team released the following season preview video.
The KTM Factory Riders Brad Binder and Jack Miller Had the following comments regarding the launch.
Brad Binder: “The trajectory is on its way up. 11th, 6th, 6th and 4th so, yeah, I have no doubt we are going to do better than 4th. Last season was great at times and difficult at other moments. I felt like we had more in the pocket. We were much more competitive each weekend and always around the podium battle. This season is where we can make the difference. It’s awesome to be starting 2024 for real. It’s going to be my tenth season racing for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and it’s been an amazing journey. we have always stuck together and always had the same goal in mind. I think that we have always fit really well together, and I am really happy where I am. The only thing left is to try and finish off the job in MotoGP.”
Jack Miller: “2023 was a year of learning and of growth for me as a person and as a rider. Towards the back half of the season we really got comfortable with the bike and were able to start challenging for positions where we needed to be. In KTM, and my dealings especially in the racing department, when they find something or find a pathway – new ideas, better ideas and strategies – then they go all -in on to have them on the track as soon as possible. Having that power and that motivation and that backing from the company is awesome as a rider. I didn’t get to achieve all the wishes I wanted in 2023. I have a whole new list of wishes for 2024.”
“2023 was a good year. Very satisfying and where we grew quite a lot. We are pretty happy with how the riders and the bike improved. The approach for 2024 is easy: we have to move ahead with the growth we started last season. There will be areas where we still have plenty of room to increase our performance but in general the project is very balanced, so we just need to push when we know it is time to do it. I can’t wait to start the season and get to the first race because that is where we deliver. It’s when the speaking stops and the real action starts. No excuses. No matter what we have said or done during the winter, it is time to race.”
The final day of the Official MotoGP Sepang Test is now complete! It was an optimal condition day which ultimately helped 2023 reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia bounce back from the two earlier sessions this week to top the table in the final test day. Bagnaia did so in top form fashion after setting the first lap time to dip into the 1m56s on two wheels. Jorge Martin was just 0.172s behind and also hit the sub 1:57 mark. As the day progressed Enea Bastianini and Alex Marquez also joined the club. 6 of the top 10 lap times on the day were aboard Ducatis.
Sepang Test Day Three
| Pos. | Rider | Team | Lead Gap | Fastest Lap |
|---|
| 1 | 1 F. Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo Team | 0.000 | 1:56.682 |
| 2 | 89 J. Martin | Prima Pramac Racing | 0.172 | 1:56.854 |
| 3 | 23 E. Bastianini | Ducati Lenovo Team | 0.233 | 1:56.915 |
| 4 | 73 A. Marquez | Gresini Racing MotoGP™ | 0.256 | 1:56.938 |
| 5 | 41 A. Espargaro | Aprilia Racing | 0.409 | 1:57.091 |
| 6 | 93 M. Marquez | Gresini Racing MotoGP™ | 0.588 | 1:57.270 |
| 7 | 49 F. Di Giannantonio | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | 0.661 | 1:57.343 |
| 8 | 31 P. Acosta | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 | 0.683 | 1:57.365 |
| 9 | 36 J. Mir | Repsol Honda Team | 0.692 | 1:57.374 |
| 10 | 33 B. Binder | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 0.780 | 1:57.462 |
| 11 | 20 F. Quartararo | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ | 0.843 | 1:57.525 |
| 12 | 12 M. Viñales | Aprilia Racing | 0.846 | 1:57.528 |
| 13 | 30 T. Nakagami | LCR Honda | 1.083 | 1:57.765 |
| 14 | 43 J. Miller | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 1.169 | 1:57.851 |
| 15 | 42 A. Rins | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ | 1.197 | 1:57.879 |
| 16 | 5 J. Zarco | LCR Honda | 1.260 | 1:57.942 |
| 17 | 88 M. Oliveira | Trackhouse Racing | 1.318 | 1:58.000 |
| 18 | 10 L. Marini | Repsol Honda Team | 1.344 | 1:58.026 |
| 19 | 35 C. Crutchlow | Yamaha Factory Racing | 1.991 | 1:58.673 |
| 20 | 72 M. Bezzecchi | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | 2.003 | 1:58.685 |
| 21 | 37 A. Fernandez | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 | 2.058 | 1:58.740 |
| 22 | 32 L. Savadori | Trackhouse Racing | 2.132 | 1:58.814 |
| 23 | 51 M. Pirro | Prima Pramac Racing | 2.183 | 1:58.865 |
Next up is the final Official MotoGP Test in Qatar starting on February 19th, 2024 at Lusail international Circuit.
After a flying day one of testing Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac) has made it clear he plans to bring the battle to Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia in 2024. After narrowly losing out in the closing rounds of the 2023 Martin has now led both days of 2024’s first official test session. 2023 champion Bagnaia ran 4th fastest on day 2 behind Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) finishing second and third respectively.
Martin set the unofficial lap record with a 1m57.273s on Day 1 of testing. Martin was the fastest on track all day. Day three of testing begins tomorrow.
Day 2 Testing Results
| Pos. | Rider | Team | Lead Gap | Prev Gap | Laps | Fastest Lap |
|---|
| 1 | 89 J. Martin | Prima Pramac Racing | 0.000 | 0.000 | 9 / 41 | 1:57.273 |
| 2 | 33 B. Binder | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 0.054 | 0.054 | 11 / 31 | 1:57.327 |
| 3 | 41 A. Espargaro | Aprilia Racing | 0.173 | 0.119 | 15 / 41 | 1:57.446 |
| 4 | 1 F. Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo Team | 0.196 | 0.023 | 14 / 44 | 1:57.469 |
| 5 | 49 F. Di Giannantonio | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | 0.346 | 0.150 | 9 / 39 | 1:57.619 |
| 6 | 73 A. Marquez | Gresini Racing MotoGP™ | 0.399 | 0.053 | 10 / 52 | 1:57.672 |
| 7 | 23 E. Bastianini | Ducati Lenovo Team | 0.407 | 0.008 | 31 / 39 | 1:57.680 |
| 8 | 31 P. Acosta | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 | 0.453 | 0.046 | 16 / 37 | 1:57.726 |
| 9 | 72 M. Bezzecchi | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | 0.594 | 0.141 | 10 / 39 | 1:57.867 |
| 10 | 36 J. Mir | Repsol Honda Team | 0.599 | 0.005 | 8 / 26 | 1:57.872 |
| 11 | 20 F. Quartararo | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ | 0.615 | 0.016 | 7 / 39 | 1:57.888 |
| 12 | 5 J. Zarco | LCR Honda | 0.738 | 0.123 | 15 / 31 | 1:58.011 |
| 13 | 93 M. Marquez | Gresini Racing MotoGP™ | 0.845 | 0.107 | 27 / 49 | 1:58.118 |
| 14 | 42 A. Rins | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ | 0.899 | 0.054 | 11 / 35 | 1:58.172 |
| 15 | 43 J. Miller | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 1.027 | 0.128 | 13 / 42 | 1:58.300 |
| 16 | 30 T. Nakagami | LCR Honda | 1.099 | 0.072 | 21 / 37 | 1:58.372 |
| 17 | 10 L. Marini | Repsol Honda Team | 1.121 | 0.022 | 12 / 39 | 1:58.394 |
| 18 | 12 M. Viñales | Aprilia Racing | 1.183 | 0.062 | 17 / 48 | 1:58.456 |
| 19 | 88 M. Oliveira | Trackhouse Racing | 1.276 | 0.093 | 18 / 45 | 1:58.549 |
| 20 | 37 A. Fernandez | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 | 1.642 | 0.366 | 8 / 41 | 1:58.915 |
| 21 | 35 C. Crutchlow | Yamaha Factory Racing | 1.717 | 0.075 | 11 / 39 | 1:58.990 |
| 22 | 32 L. Savadori | | 2.403 | 0.686 | 26 / 35 | 1:59.676 |
| 23 | 51 M. Pirro | Prima Pramac Racing | 2.429 | 0.026 | 17 / 36 | 1:59.702 |
Prim Pramac Rider Jorge Martin came out of the paddock blazing on day one of the Official MotoGP Sepang Test. The 2023 runner up set a best 1m57.951s lap time, clearing Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) by just under 3 tenths in the session. Fabio Quartararo (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing) finished third fastest as the Yamaha rider looks to bounce back after a disappoint year in 2023.
Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) both had crashes in the session. Fernandez’s bike caught on fire and the Spanish rider was taken to the medical center for examination. He was able to rejoin the session later on after complaining about pain.
Day One Sepang Testing Results
| Pos. | Rider | Team | Lead Gap | Laps | Fastest Lap |
|---|
| 1 | 89 J. Martin | Prima Pramac Racing | 0.000 | 22 / 59 | 1:57.951 |
| 2 | 31 P. Acosta | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 | 0.269 | 33 / 60 | 1:58.220 |
| 3 | 20 F. Quartararo | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ | 0.277 | 36 / 46 | 1:58.228 |
| 4 | 49 F. Di Giannantonio | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | 0.374 | 27 / 49 | 1:58.325 |
| 5 | 23 E. Bastianini | Ducati Lenovo Team | 0.406 | 41 / 48 | 1:58.357 |
| 6 | 12 M. Viñales | Aprilia Racing | 0.519 | 59 / 60 | 1:58.470 |
| 7 | 73 A. Marquez | Gresini Racing MotoGP™ | 0.591 | 44 / 50 | 1:58.542 |
| 8 | 72 M. Bezzecchi | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | 0.654 | 42 / 54 | 1:58.605 |
| 9 | 93 M. Marquez | Gresini Racing MotoGP™ | 0.670 | 45 / 47 | 1:58.621 |
| 10 | 5 J. Zarco | LCR Honda | 0.719 | 37 / 56 | 1:58.670 |
| 11 | 42 A. Rin | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ | 0.765 | 18 / 46 | 1:58.716 |
| 12 | 33 B. Binder | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 0.773 | 52 / 60 | 1:58.724 |
| 13 | 41 A. Espargaro | Aprilia Racing | 0.787 | 45 / 54 | 1:58.738 |
| 14 | 36 J. Mir | Repsol Honda Team | 0.790 | 42 / 43 | 1:58.741 |
| 15 | 88 M. Oliveira | Trackhouse Racing | 0.799 | 23 / 54 | 1:58.750 |
| 16 | 1 F. Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo Team | 0.862 | 45 / 52 | 1:58.813 |
| 17 | 10 L. Marini | Repsol Honda Team | 1.018 | 21 / 38 | 1:58.969 |
| 18 | 43 J. Miller | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 1.097 | 21 / 69 | 1:59.048 |
| 19 | 35 C. Crutchlow | Yamaha Factory Racing | 1.186 | 52 / 61 | 1:59.137 |
| 20 | 30 T. Nakagami | LCR Honda | 1.261 | 26 / 37 | 1:59.212 |
| 21 | 37 A. Fernandez | Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 | 1.592 | 63 / 64 | 1:59.543 |
| 22 | 25 R. Fernandez | Trackhouse Racing | 2.169 | 6 / 21 | 2:00.120 |
| 23 | 51 M. Pirro | Prima Pramac Racing | 2.451 | 15 / 59 | 2:00.402 |
Due to the circumstances in the country the MotoGP Argentina Grand Prix will be cancelled for the 2024 calendar. The Argentina Grand Prix was scheduled to be the third round on the schedule. The race promoter released the following statement, “Due to the current circumstances in Argentina, the promoter of the event has communicated that it is currently unable to guarantee the services required for the Grand Prix to take place in 2024 at MotoGP standards.”
Argentina has recently faced many economic hardships including hyperinflation, a rapidly depreciating currency, and almost 50% of the citizen population living in poverty. Given these challenges the promoter felt that now is not an ideal time to hold a race. Given these challenges MotoGP has stated that they would not be able to provide the services required for the safe conduct of the event. The race will not be replaced on the calendar given the late announcement.
Factory team, Ducati Lenovo has unveiled their livery designs for the 2024 MotoGP season. The announce arrive as the gears start moving on the 2024 MotoGP campaign. Francesco Bagnaia returns to the factory team to defend his world championship title. Teammate Enea Bastinanini returns for his second season with the team eager to get back to form. An early season injury in 2023 took Bastianini out of title contention. In 2024 Bastianini will be looking for redemption as he never really seemed 100% after returning to the grid in 2023. The start of the 2024 season is set for Feb 6th-8th in Malaysia for the first official test of 2024 at Sepang.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team):
“I’m thrilled to kick off my fourth season with the Ducati Lenovo Team. The last test in Valencia provided positive feedback, giving us a solid foundation for the upcoming season’s development work. I’m eager to hit the track and pick up where we left off. It’s bound to be a challenging season, but we’re ready to face it with our usual determination. As a close-knit team, we’ll give our best to aim for the Championship once again.”
Enea Bastianini (#23, Ducati Lenovo Team):
“2023 was a challenging year, and I look forward to redeeming myself in the upcoming season. We have an exciting 2024 ahead of us. Despite participating in only a few Grands Prix last year, I’ve learned valuable lessons that I’ll carry into the new season. I have great confidence in my Team, and I know we have all the potential to do well. I can’t wait to hit the track and start the new season.”
After previously hinting at the announcement for their 2024 livery unveil, Gresini Racing has now unveiled the new 2024 livery for both Alex and Marc Marquez. The release marked the first time in Marc Marquez’s MotoGP career where he isn’t suiting up in Repsol Honda orange. Marc Marquez made the decision to nullify his contract with Honda with one year left in the agreement to join the Gresini Racing team. His departure was mutually beneficial as Honda did not want to hold him back if he was unhappy.
Alex and Marc Marquez are finally reunited under the same banner after 4 long years since their Honda factory debut in 2020. Below are some of the images released by the team.
Photo Courtesy of Gresini RacingAfter making the switch to Gresini for the Valencia test, Marc Marquez has been quiet in the media due to contractual obligations with Honda. Now that those obligations are satisfied Marquez has released his first comments on the switch to Gresini.
“I was nervous and there were butterflies in my stomach,” stated Marquez in the exclusive interview with DAZN, “Even though I have been in the championship for many years, it was a big change. But afterward I stayed calm, relaxed. I made the day calm and relaxed by trying to understand everything with my new technical team and with my new motorcycle. In the end, you’re jumping onto the Champion’s bike, so it’s in your hands.
It was a day of adaptation, mainly to the position on the bike. We changed some things because in some areas I didn’t feel completely comfortable, but the speed was there. I understood the bike and how to manage things. I still have a lot to learn, maybe not to go faster, but to be more consistent and much safer.”
Marquez Continued on Adapting to the Change
“I was able to adapt faster than expected because I immediately felt very good. There was a good feeling and the lap time came without massively looking for it. At the end of the day, we were able to put in new soft tyres and I also felt good.”
After a hard fought 2023 season that ended in despair for Jorge Martin. Martin has come out publicly with his thoughts on Ducati Factory support in 2024. In an interview with Europa press Martin said, “My main goal is to go to Ducati but, if it can’t be done, I’ll have to look at other options,” he warned.
“There are many factories that are making big steps, we’ll see what the best option is. I’m happy to continue at Pramac, it’s the best place to fight for a championship.” The statement comes after speculation at the end of the 2023 season around Martin’s distaste for the lack of factory Ducati support at Pramac. Its not surprise that Martin could explore his options if he feels he isn’t being given the best opportunity to win. His meteoric rise to the top of the championship fight in 2023 resulted in a mail biting finish that went down to the last race. Martin is looking to bounce back stronger than ever in 2024.
After his close loss in the 2023 title fight we all but wonder if this is the fuel he needs to edge out an on fire Francesco Bagnaia who now has secured his second MotoGP title. The season opener is three months where the riders will kick things off at Lusail for the Qatar GP.
With the MotoGP season now at its end, and the dust settled. Pol Espargaro begins his transition to his new life as a test rider for GASGAS and will not return for the 2024 season as a rider for the factory team. Espargaro had a year of ups and downs starting with what many thought would be a seasoning ending injury in Portimao where he suffers from a broken jaw and lung and back injuries. Despite all odds he made a full recovery and returned to the grid for the British Grand Prix.
Espargaro will move to a test rider position with GASGAS for the 2024 season after losing his seat to the 2023 Moto2 champion Pedro Acosta. Despite the setback Espargaro seemed to be in good spirits after the final race of the season in Valencia.
Espargaro Stated the Following After the Valencia GP
Every time I raised my head and I was looking at all the people in the stands, the noise, the tension, all my teammates around, all the guys that I have raced with since I was a little guy. It’s been amazing. I just feel so, so lucky to have been with you know living my life, my story, trying to chase my dreams through the last 10 years so I’m a very lucky guy.
A day to remember because, OK I have raced my last race as a permanent guy in MotoGP but obviously because I had those people surrounding me. This is with the people I live every day with, every hour, not just in racing but at home. It’s the people that make me happy so at the end of the day I need them from now till the end of my days so it was just amazing to be with them.”
The riggers of the MotoGP season takes is toll on riders. Espargaro comments on the need for time to rest after a long grueling season. “I need to take some rest. I need to recover myself a little bit. It’s been a while since I don’t feel as competitive as I should feel, but also with the confidence that I need to perform to be beside these guys. These guys are talented, young and extremely fit. If you don’t have all of these things, then you are too far away so you enjoy it.”
Where he will end up after 2024 is yet to be determined but if this is goodbye from riding in MotoGP he can hang his head high with his career accomplishments. In this sport its all about how you bounce back.