As the thrilling title race between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia intensifies, Ducati has announced a pause in the development of its 2024 MotoGP bike, the GP24. With only four races remaining in the championship and a narrow 10-point margin separating the two riders, Ducati has opted to ensure that both competitors can focus on the championship using the machines they are already familiar with.
Bagnaia recently secured his eighth victory of the season and completed his fourth double win at the Motegi circuit last Sunday. Arriving in Japan with a 21-point deficit, he remarkably closed the gap by recovering 11 points in a single race, underscoring the fierce and competitive nature of the current title fight.
The decision to halt GP24 development seems to stem from several factors, including the close competition between Martin and Bagnaia, contractual obligations, and a commitment to fair play. Reports indicate that the last significant update to the bike occurred two months ago at Silverstone, which involved modifications to the fairing design on the lower sections of the motorcycle.
Despite the knowledge that Martin will depart Ducati for Aprilia at the end of the season, Ducati’s management has reiterated that he will have access to the same resources as before, enabling him to vie for his inaugural MotoGP championship.
Both Bagnaia and Martin’s contracts with Ducati are aligned, ensuring that all riders on the GP24— including Enea Bastianini and Franco Morbidelli—have equal access to the same upgrades. Consequently, any enhancements made to the bike must be available to all four riders. This decision means that key advancements tested during last month’s collective session at Misano will not be integrated into the GP24 but will instead be reserved for the GP25.
Bagnaia expressed disappointment about the situation, stating, “At Misano, I tested a new chassis, which neither Jorge nor I will be able to use this year. This is because Ducati needs to provide all GP24 riders with any developments. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough parts available.” He further noted, “Our bike will remain unchanged for the remainder of the season, which is unfortunate because this upgrade could make a significant difference. However, Ducati has been clear that both bikes will stay the same until the end of the season. This chassis will serve as the foundation for next year’s Ducati.”
As the championship approaches its climax, the decision to freeze development on the GP24 raises the stakes even higher for Martin and Bagnaia, who must now rely on their existing machines to compete fiercely for the title.
