Casey Stoner shows immediate speed on 2009 Ducati GP Prototype

-- Casey Stoner shows immediate speed on 2009 Ducati GP Prototype

Yesterday Casey Stoner once again proved that Ducati have no fear of using public tests to develop future race machines by rolling out of pit-lane on Ducati's 2009 prototype GP machine. The most obvious technical highlight of the new machine is the adoption of a carbon fibre chassis.

While the Japanese companies largely test behind closed doors under strict security Ducati seem to have nothing to fear in showcasing their new developments for all to see. And some would say with the horsepower advantage enjoyed by Ducati since they joined the MotoGP ranks they probably have more to hide than most. No matter what the other manufacturers have come up with in regards to engine development they have still not matched that amazing Ducati horsepower. They are certainly getting very close but it is fair to say that as it stands right now the Ducati engine is the standard by which all others are judged. But of course power is nothing without control and development of the next generation Ducati GP machine has focussed on chassis improvement.

Yesterday Stoner and test riders Vittoriano Guareschi and Niccolò Canepa put the new machine through its paces in front of the whole MotoGP paddock who were also testing at the Catalunya circuit. Marco Melandri spent yesterday focusing on his GP8 and will test the GP9 machine later today despite the fact that much conjecture surrounds his future with the Italian company as he has spectacularly failed to get on terms with a machine that seems to be so brutal that only Stoner has been able to tame.

Stoner was straight down to business on the prototype and immediately up to speed. Stoner's 1m41.53 on qualifying tyres was 3-tenths quicker than what Valentino Rossi managed on the equally Bridgestone qualifier shod Yamaha. On race tyres Stoner put in a 1m42.63.

It was a positive debut for the machine in the hands of the World Champion, so much so that the Australian set the best time of the day with a 1'41.533 on qualifying tyres.

Casey Stoner - "I'm happy with the way today has gone. The objective was to understand whether this new chassis concept has potential and I'd say that for now it looks to be the case.

"We were quickly into some decent times using the same set-up as the GP8. We barely changed anything to adapt it to the characteristics of the GP9 and I immediately felt an improvement so that is positive.

"I'm sure that with more time to work on it we can go much faster, although that is not the current brief. We'll have time to test it in the winter.

"Tomorrow we'll get back on my GP8 because we have some important tyre testing to do. There is still a lot of the 2008 season left and we want to be competitive."

Ducati Corse General Manager Filippo Prezioso explains his decision to bring the GP9 machine to Catalunya.

"We took the decision to allow the factory riders to test the GP9 because it would have been more difficult at a later stage of development and eventually we'd have had to go backwards in certain areas.

"There are some things that are possible to analyse with data such as in the engine or the cycle part but other areas where it is absolutely essential to have the riders' opinions. So it was important to get their feedback to understand if the choices we've made have been the right ones and to get their suggestions.

"Some changes we've made to the cycle part could seem more revolutionary than others but in reality we continue to evolve the initial concept that we designed with the GP3. So it's not a change in the direction of development, but another step forward in the same direction.

"With the 990 the seat supports and the footpegs were attached to the frame. With the 800 they are both completely separate and on the GP9 the front part is even more dedicated to support and the dimensions become more limited.

"The fact we've used carbon fibre in the production of the chassis is not the most relevant point, it is more the shape that is different from before.

"Casey's first impressions have been positive. Tomorrow Marco will try it and I hope his feeling with the new bike is better than with the current one."