Q&A: Jorge Lorenzo on Developing the Ducati

This has been a challenging year for Ducati Corse, Jorge Lorenzo, and Andrea Dovizioso. The Desmosedici GP17 is a new platform with a new aerodynamic package, sans winglets, and there have been development challenges along the way.

With a double DNF at Argentina, Ducati was definitely looking for some good news in Austin.

As it turns out, qualifying went better than expected. Lorenzo seemed quite pleased at the end of qualifying, pumping his fist in the air as he entered his garage.

This afternoon, Asphalt & Rubber had a chance to sit down with Lorenzo for a few minutes to discuss the challenges of switching from Yamaha to Ducati, and the difficulty of developing a new MotoGP machine.

Tell me about the development of the new Ducati and how it compares to the Yamaha. What are the challenges with developing a bike like this?

“Well, to be honest, I did not expect such a big change. The two bikes are completely different. The engine is very powerful in a straight line; it is very fast, but it is also nervous, and for the moment, the bike is quite tough for the rider.”

“It is not an easy bike. I need to try to understand the bike, and I need to get the experience through a lot of kilometers to get the maximum from the bike.”

“I need to prove myself to get the maximum from the bike. In between all that, Ducati is working a lot to make the bike more smooth and the bike more easy for the rider, and to make the bike turn in the corners. So it’s not just the rider who’s working or the team who’s working, but we’re both working to improve.”

As a three-time MotoGP champion, you have made this team change from Yamaha to Ducati. Is this a challenge you enjoy?

“Yeah, for sure, because we are competing against two giants like Honda and Yamaha and it’s not that easy for a European factory which is much smaller, but with a lot of fans and a lot of passion for sure.”

“But our factory is smaller than the other two, so it’s always hard to fight with them, but this is the challenge, to beat these two. So for this, I take this challenge. I did not take this challenge for money because the offer was very similar between both brands. I did this to challenge myself; to win a championship with Ducati.”

I noticed that KTM switched out their fairing this weekend to try something different. Have you guys considered that at all from an aerodynamics standpoint to see if that helps at a track like Austin?

“You know, for me it was a pity that MotoGP rules changed forbidding the wings, because for me, that was better for racing because it keeps the front wheel more on the ground and the bike is more safe.”

“Without that, the front is always moving and playing around and the bike is less safe. We have to adapt to this new situation. Ducati lost more than probably the other factories. Now it is difficult without the wings to make something that gives the same advantage as the wings; it is very difficult.

Do you enjoy coming to this track and do you enjoy the U.S. round?

“Yeah, I love the country. I love the freedom of the country and the space of the country. I love the weather of California, and the weather of Texas is very good, even though it’s too hot in the summer and the place here in Austin is wonderful. Both the city and the track are very big and modern, so it’s good all around.”

I’ve heard a lot about the bumps on the track this year. Are they really that much worse than they were last year?

“Yes, the bumps have gotten worse – much worse. It’s difficult for our bike to run here.”

So last question, if you go back in the past, there were a lot more Americans on the grid. What do you think it will take to see more Americans back on the grid in MotoGP?

“I think you need to make MotoGP more popular in the USA. Because when it becomes more popular, more people watch on TV, and the young people get addicted to the sport, and then they practice the sport.”

“So it all starts with the popularity of the sport. The challenge is getting people to watch what I think is one of the most spectacular and exciting sports in the world.”