Photo: motogp.com
The solid relationship between Dorna Sports and BMW carries on for the 2015 MotoGP season, as we expected. This is good news for both the car and bike fans, as they get to see some really cool Bavarian racing technology infused in some of the best models zie Germans have to offer.
We were used to see the tuned, white-trimmed BMW M4 Coupé as the ever-present Official Safety Car. Not only was the M4 joined by other top-notch four-wheelers, such as the BMW M3 and the BMW M6 Gran Coupé Safety Cars, but according to official MotoGP sources, the fleet will also contain “BMW M5 for the “Safety Officer” as well as the BMW M550d xDrive Touring and, for the first time, the BMW X5 M as “Medical Cars”.
And there’s more! A new BMW S1000RR duo will cater to the Safety Bike duties. These new S1000RR will be used for reconnaissance laps before the start of the race, making sure the track is clean and safe. While there is no official mention on the S1000RR bikes, we can’t exactly say whether they are 2015 model year. However, we suspect they are, because the BMW superbike should also make it in the dealerships soon, and we can expect that certain lots of bikes are ready.
We also dig the fact that BMW dropped the white color scheme and went for a matte black livery. When we laid eyes on the Safety S1000RR, the first thing which got our attention was the HP lettering on the fairing. Since we knew there was no HP4 offer for this year, these letters got us confused a bit, but we understood that the whole thing was only about equipping the S1000RR with race-grade parts from the HP line-up.
Judging by the extensive use of carbon fiber bodywork, the dreams of seeing HP4 machines once again in BMW’s roster becomes even more realistic. And a recent discussion with a BMW Motorrad official hinted us on the fact that we might just see more of the HP machines soon.
And to add even more suspense to the whole deal, we must remind you that Ducati has not used the 2015-spec Desmosedici GP15 bike in Malaysia, but an intermediary development GP14.3 machine. The combined lap times after the first Sepang test saw Ducati’s Andrea Iannone in the third position, with a slight advantage over Valentino Rossi, while Andrea Dovizioso was only seventh.
According to gp-inside, Rossi was one of the factory riders who expressed their thoughts openly. He said that seeing slower Ducati bikes on the track was a thing which could indeed have been improved by certain privileges. But with the GP14.3 already showing a pace comparable to that of Honda and Yamaha, allowing the Borgo Panigale machines the perks of an Open entry could mean a bit of fair play lack.
Rossi also admitted earlier that the 2015 title is his main goal for this year, and he knows that he’s not the only one chasing points to secure another championship. Marquez is looking forward to try and claw his third crown in a row, his team mate Pedrosa is also eyeing to win his first world title, while Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo is in a better shape than ever and looking to pay Marquez back.
If Ducati are even faster with their GP15 machine, the whole thing changes to new dimensions and the top four riders will have to battle even harder for championship points. Still, what Rossi seems to forget about is the fact that if Ducati starts winning or gets “too many” podiums in the dry, they will lose the extra fuel and the soft tire.
Anyway, the end of February brings another Sepang session, and it’s there where we get to see how the Ducati Desmosedici GP15 performs. Only then will we be able to say whether it’s game on once more in the premier class.
And there’s more! A new BMW S1000RR duo will cater to the Safety Bike duties. These new S1000RR will be used for reconnaissance laps before the start of the race, making sure the track is clean and safe. While there is no official mention on the S1000RR bikes, we can’t exactly say whether they are 2015 model year. However, we suspect they are, because the BMW superbike should also make it in the dealerships soon, and we can expect that certain lots of bikes are ready.
We also dig the fact that BMW dropped the white color scheme and went for a matte black livery. When we laid eyes on the Safety S1000RR, the first thing which got our attention was the HP lettering on the fairing. Since we knew there was no HP4 offer for this year, these letters got us confused a bit, but we understood that the whole thing was only about equipping the S1000RR with race-grade parts from the HP line-up.
Judging by the extensive use of carbon fiber bodywork, the dreams of seeing HP4 machines once again in BMW’s roster becomes even more realistic. And a recent discussion with a BMW Motorrad official hinted us on the fact that we might just see more of the HP machines soon.
A faint wind of revolt against Ducati’s Open Class privileges
The fact that Ducati gets to use their own software and still benefit from the advantages of the Open Class seems to have come once more in the spotlight after the first IRTA tests at Sepang in early February. Since the Ducati machinery proved to be noticeably faster than everything we have seen from Borgo Panigale during the last 12 months, some people became vocal.And to add even more suspense to the whole deal, we must remind you that Ducati has not used the 2015-spec Desmosedici GP15 bike in Malaysia, but an intermediary development GP14.3 machine. The combined lap times after the first Sepang test saw Ducati’s Andrea Iannone in the third position, with a slight advantage over Valentino Rossi, while Andrea Dovizioso was only seventh.
According to gp-inside, Rossi was one of the factory riders who expressed their thoughts openly. He said that seeing slower Ducati bikes on the track was a thing which could indeed have been improved by certain privileges. But with the GP14.3 already showing a pace comparable to that of Honda and Yamaha, allowing the Borgo Panigale machines the perks of an Open entry could mean a bit of fair play lack.
Rossi also admitted earlier that the 2015 title is his main goal for this year, and he knows that he’s not the only one chasing points to secure another championship. Marquez is looking forward to try and claw his third crown in a row, his team mate Pedrosa is also eyeing to win his first world title, while Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo is in a better shape than ever and looking to pay Marquez back.
If Ducati are even faster with their GP15 machine, the whole thing changes to new dimensions and the top four riders will have to battle even harder for championship points. Still, what Rossi seems to forget about is the fact that if Ducati starts winning or gets “too many” podiums in the dry, they will lose the extra fuel and the soft tire.
Anyway, the end of February brings another Sepang session, and it’s there where we get to see how the Ducati Desmosedici GP15 performs. Only then will we be able to say whether it’s game on once more in the premier class.
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