Matteo Ferrari carried out the first official test of the MotoE 2024 at the Portimao circuit. In this interview, the Gresini team rider explains his results and the technical news of the MotoE 2024.
Matteo Ferrari is starting his sixth season in MotoE. In 2019, the Gresini team rider won the MotoGP electric class title in his debut year, and stood on the final podium of the category in all subsequent years. A few days ago, Ferrari, together with the other 17 riders of the MotoE, was at the Autodromo do Algarve in Portimao for the first time to carry out the first pre-season test. Objective: collect data on the new Portuguese track, test the new Michelin tyres and familiarize with the new electronic features done by Ducati. On the same track, in less than a month, it starts the sixth edition of the MotoE World Championship 2014. Here's what Matteo Ferrari said in this interview at Epaddock, after the completion of the test.
“We did a great job. On the first day we started with last year's basic set-up, and from then on, we fixed a few things. Already on the second day we were good to go. Unfortunately, it rained on Thursday afternoon and the next day we were cold and windy, but we completed the work and brought home data for the season.
I'm happy because we saw that we were competitive; I wasn't the fastest ever, but I always preferred to ride alone, without looking for a slipstream or following someone else. In Portimao, the slipstream matters a lot, especially when it is windy. On the straight, it was against us, and it was sideways in the final corner, the fast one; the gusts moved our MotoE. I don't know how the Moto3s, which weigh half as much as our bikes, managed to ride.
I think in those conditions, the slipstream was worth about half a second per lap. Even Torres, for example, wasn't very fast, but he always rode alone, without a slipstream. In the race, I expect him to be fast, as always. I also saw Garzò and especially Spinelli very fast."
For the riders of the MotoE it was the first time at the Autodromo do Algarve, in Portugal.
“Portimao is very beautiful but also difficult – says Ferrari – among the circuits of MotoE perhaps it is the most difficult. You may be able to set the time by getting a good lap, but it's more difficult to be consistent than on other tracks. Among the leading riders, the gaps on a single lap were minimal and I expect it will be the same over the race weekend because, after several days of testing and many sessions on the track, everyone finds the right set-up sooner or later. However, in terms of race pace, the difficulties of the track will cause more selection. I think that here, in the race, we will see wider gaps compared to the other tracks in the championship."
Usually, rain is never welcome during testing, but in this case, it was different because Ferrari and the Gresini technicians could work on the wet set-up, Ferrari's weak point in 2023. “In Portimao, we were able to do some laps on the wet track. It wasn't pouring rain, but it still helped us define the basic set for the suspensions in wet conditions. We weren't able to finish the complete set-up, but we fixed some things; it was very important in view of the championship."
Talking about the technical news of the MotoE 2024, Ferrari indicated the tyres as the main innovation, with which he said he was very satisfied.
“My opinion on the new tyres is very positive; there was a good step both at the front and at the rear, probably the best since I've been racing in MotoE. The front is definitely better, although I want to see how the tyre will behave on more demanding tracks, such as Le Mans. However, it remains clear that the improvement compared to last year's front is there and is notable; There is unanimous agreement among the riders on this. It is a more stable tyre with more grip.
In practice, these tyres result from our comments on the test day carried out on the eve of the San Marino GP last September. That was an important test, and I would like it to become the rule because, immediately after an entire season, you can better evaluate the new material that is proposed to you. In addition, Michelin has more time to process comments ahead of the following season."
If the tires represent the most significant innovation for the MotoE 2024, there are others less visible, particularly on electronics.
“I'm happy that there will be more dry maps for the engine brake this year. Last year, we had three for each circuit, and this year, we will have nine. Before entering the track, we choose three, and when we turn, we can select the one we prefer. When you return to the box, you can replace them with others and return to the track.
The traction control has also improved because they have implemented tire wear in the calculation algorithm, this is very important because last year the traction control was too invasive at the end of the race, when the tire is worn.
My dream would be to have tailor-made maps like it is in MotoGP, where the electronics technician makes ad hoc maps for his rider. Even with the electronics of MotoE, it could be done, but at the moment, rules don't allow it. Let's say that the current situation with tyres and electronics levels out the riders' performance a bit and makes overtaking more difficult; it takes a lot of braking to overtake, but the risk of crashing or hitting another rider is high."
As regards the mechanical set-up, last year's constraints have been maintained and Ferrari says he regrets this.
“We would have some set-up variables that would make us make a big leap forward in performance, but we can't use them yet; there is no unanimity between the teams on this point. For example, the rear link today is the same for everyone, while Ducati would have two available. Some chassis adjustments are also locked. It's a shame; let's hope the situation changes gradually.
However, this year, among the positive news, we will have the 'celebration mode'; basically, after the end of the race we can disengage the antiwheelie to do wheelies to celebrate during the return lap."
Before saying goodbye, Ferrari tells us that for 2024, it is working on some wild cards in the Moto2 World Championship, again with Gresini. The first one could already be in Jerez, then we'll see.
Returning to MotoE, Ferrari and the other riders will have one more test day available, Thursday, 21 March, on the eve of the Portuguese GP, scheduled again on the Portimao track on 22-23 March 2024.
The combined times of the three days of the MotoE test in Portimao
MotoE World Championship 2024
The gallery of the test in Portimao
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