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Bagnaia's smile at the end of the day says a lot about how his first day of testing went at Sepang. There are good feelings on the Ducati GP23, but also the 'aesthetic' factor given by the number 1 on the fairing "I hope you like it. I was looking forward to seeing videos and images of myself with it. It’s wonderful, I love it" jokes Pecco, who also has other reasons to be happy.
"I started well, the feelings were similar to those of last year, I didn't have the impression of having stopped for three months - he continued - I went faster today than in the GP in October, perhaps because I never had the time to switch off”
The other riders also went well immediately: Bezzecchi lapped just 7 tenths from the track record.
“Test times are always to be taken with a pinch of salt, especially here in Sepang the asphalt gets rubbery a lot when it's not raining. On the first exit the track was already good, we will be able to see some great times these days".
What is the difference between the bike with which you won the GP in October and the new one?
“There is a very small difference regarding the engine which however leads to very different feelings and we need to work. Today I did the best time with the new bike and not in a time attack, in the afternoon I concentrated on using both bikes with used tires to understand. At the moment, the GP23 has some positive aspects that I really like, but also some points to improve. Delivery is different, a little too aggressive, and acceleration was a strong point of the GP22, so we need to focus on that point, as well as aerodynamics, which have a different effect. Compared to last year, we have one more day of testing, so I think we'll be able to find a solution for everything. I know I'll also have to change my riding style, move more on the bike, but there are more positives than negatives.”
How is the new fairing different when riding?
“It was better in the braking, this is already a good thing for Ducati. In the long corners, I have to understand. It is good to test here because there are a lot of long corners. There is great potential.”
Will you continue with the comparisons between the two bikes tomorrow too?
“Yes and I think I will also do it in Portimao. The GP22 came from 3 years of development and was at its maximum possible potential, this is new and there are things to sort out".
Is your biggest fear not to take the wrong direction, as in last year's tests?
“There is no comparison with a year ago: I remember I did 2'00” in a time attack just for my morale, because we were in difficulty. Today, however, everything worked out for the best right from the start. I'm not afraid because I'm sure I have an incredible team behind me and the feelings are good, there's no reason to be worried."
Do the riders who have the old bike right now have an advantage?
“I honestly don't know, they have to try fewer things and just adapt to the bike, so in these first days they can only focus on themselves. We have some tests to do, as is normal, but I don't want to make comparisons with others, I just have to concentrate on my work".
Didn’t you even look at the other bikes?
“I always lapped on my own and then you can never trust the tests. Last year Suzuki seemed extremely fast and Honda very strong in Indonesia, then they had difficulties. We will have to wait for the first race”.
How is the work going with Bastianini?
“During the lunch break we chatted, and our feelings are similar. It's positive, it means that we will work in the same direction: we started off on the right foot".
