Ducati – which has confirmed one Open class version of the Desmosedici, for Pramac’s Yonny Hernandez – is rumoured to be considering switching all of its bikes to the new category. Leaving the official Factory class would force Ducati to run the full control ECU system, but bring benefits in terms of extra race fuel, engine changes, a softer rear tyre and avoid the new engine development freeze.
The Open class replaces the privateer ‘CRT’ category, with non-factory machinery no longer subject to a claiming rule, clearing the way for full specification prototypes.
At present official Ducati Team riders Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso, plus Hernandez’s team-mate Andrea Iannone, are still listed as Factory class entries. Ducati has also responded to the reports of an Open switch by stating, ‘Currently there are no further plans regarding the ‘Open’ option’ – but until February 28 it remains at least a theoretical possibility.
“Entries in the MotoGP class must specify which category each rider will participate under, Open category or Factory option by the 28 February deadline for entry form completion,” state the new rules for 2014. “Teams are permitted to declare this category option for each rider any time between the [last race of the previous] season and the entry form deadline.”
February 28 is also the final day of the second Sepang MotoGP test, meaning Ducati could potentially gather six days’ worth of testing information with race riders on both bike specifications before submitting a final decision.
MotoGP leaders Honda and Yamaha will also offer Open machinery, but are unlikely to consider leaving the Factory class. Honda is especially determined to continue its software development, but most believe the full control ECU will eventually become mandatory.
The newly released rules also confirm that Suzuki – assuming it enters the Factory class – will be able to make nine (instead of five) engine changes and avoid the development freeze during its MotoGP return in 2015. Because Suzuki withdrew at the end of 2011, it was previously unclear if it would be regarded as a ‘new’ manufacturer. Aprilia would gain the same benefits, should it return as stated in 2016.
“Riders entered under the Factory Option by a new manufacturer participating for the first time (ie. a manufacturer not competing as an MSMA manufacturer in 2013) will be limited to 9 engines per season for the first year of the manufacturer’s participation,” state the 2014 rules. “These engines will not be subject to the Factory Engine Homologation regulations (specification freeze) for the first year of the manufacturer’s participation.”
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