The use of front height adjusting devices is prohibited in MotoGP from the 2023 season, except when used in start procedures. This was communicated by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) during the morning of Tuesday, March 22. The Grand Prix Commission, made up of Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna), Paul Duparc (FIM), Hervé Poncharal (IRTA) and Biense Bierma (MSMA), has made this decision to avoid further improvements in bike performance and increased development costsas detailed in the released statement.
These devices known as ‘ride height device’ allow pilots lower the front or rear of the motorcycle when cornering during the race, obtaining an extra mechanical grip that makes it possible to exit the turn at a higher speed. At the moment, the decision only affects the front device, although a ban on the rear during the race is on the table for the 2024 season. If this were to happen, the use of the device would be limited only to the time of departure.
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The The main victim of this resolution is Ducati, manufacturer who developed the system and installed it on their machines. At first, the Borgo Panigale firm opposed the desire of the rest of the manufacturers present in the premier class and voted against the suppression of these systems as soon as possible. However, the Italian house has finally given its arm to twist and has allowed the change in the regulation for next year.
Those who will surely be satisfied with the decision will be the pilots who had been reluctant to add yet another task to their driving. The handling the device during the race made their work difficult and added more stress to a job that by itself already implies a high degree of pressure. In fact, Pecco Bagnaia rejected that the device be installed in Ducati considering that the benefit was not great enough to assume such complications. In addition, the use of these height regulators allows reaching top speeds starting to be worrying for the safety of the pilots.
It is not the first time that Ducati has seen itself in this situation. After recovering and perfecting the aerodynamic wings on the front and sides of its motorcycle, the Italian brand saw how the Grad Prix Commission prohibited its use for 2017. Since then the chainrings have been widening to integrate these aerodynamic appendages, so today Today they are still used, although under a different concept. Although Ducati’s anger may be enormous, it is likely that this development will not end up falling on deaf ears.
Photos: Ducati