The Gran Premio de España was bookended by the first one-day test of the 2024 MotoGP season and Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 riders Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez took to the warm Jerez asphalt once more on Monday. Both racers worked further on their GASGAS RC16 set-up as well as trying new prototype parts for aerodynamics. Acosta finished the day 11th quickest while Augusto Fernandez managed the 22nd fastest lap from the full MotoGP field.
The team had a full slate of work for the session that began at 10am and concluded at 6pm. Weather conditions were good with sunshine but then the wind picked up later in the afternoon in southern Spain. The crew’s familiarity with the course meant that comparison and analysis for current and future parts was smooth and effective as Pedro and Augusto had their own priorities for development.
Acosta was able to try fresh aero parts and other modifications to suspension and the engine, totaling 75 laps throughout the day, to end his shift less than half a second from the top of the time sheets. Augusto delved deeper into his current race set-up to try and perfect a more versatile base configuration and increase his competitiveness for the Grands Prix (where track time is so limited). #37 circulated Jerez 65 times for the 22nd best lap. The test ended with a crash at Turn 7 but after a medical check Fernandez was cleared ‘OK’.
Pedro Acosta, 11th position: “We tried a fairing and some different settings on our standard race bike. It was a good day. Our bike is tricky in some points and on fast tracks and we are really improving. We had a lot of grip here but the lap-times were slower than Friday. The weather changed a bit today, so it was tricky, but anyway, everything good. We changed parts but didn’t really have time to make many back-to-backs. The new fairing was very positive though.”
Augusto Fernandez, 22nd position: “A hard day of testing, important for us. We worked on the setting of the bike and to improve our feeling and we worked on many things. Honestly, I want to be faster but I’m not unhappy. We discovered a lot. The way is closer and we are narrowing the target. I had a late crash and I’m sorry to the team for that but…it will come. I’m looking forward to Le Mans; it’s a track I like, and I hope we can have a good weekend.”
Nicolas Goyon, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Team Manager: “Traditionally the Jerez test is quite important because we are trying to develop some parts or options for the current race bike and it was the case this year. On Pedro’s side we tested some components on the ‘to do’ list and have some positives, like a new aero configuration that gave him some extra confidence. He felt more comfortable with the bike now. For Augusto we focused on trying to find a different setting to give him the feeling he needs. We tried things that we never have time to do in a race weekend and one configuration was interesting for him. We’ll keep that base to try in Le Mans and see where we are.”
Sebastian Risse, GASGAS Technical Manager: “We knew it would be a busy day after a busy Grand Prix but it was important that we got through our items for the riders at this test and use the conditions here at Jerez to gather the data. As always, it was useful to spread the parts for aerodynamics as well as small engine upgrades across the line-up so we can confirm the positive comments. We also did some work with suspension settings and electronics. A lot of laps and effective work by the guys and we will look to bring these benefits to the Grands Prix to come.”
- From GasGas Factory Racing Press Release
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