MotoGP | Espargaro: “The downforce today is too much for the human body”

The Aprilia rider only finished in 11th place at the Italian GP at the beginning of June, in an overall difficult race for RS-GP riders, with Maverick Vinales taking eighth place.

Although Espargaro acknowledged on that occasion that the set-up of his bike was not the best, he believes that the impact of aerodynamics in MotoGP is going beyond what is manageable for the human body.

“A disaster,” he said when asked how he felt physically after the Italian GP. “One more lap and I would have had to retire. Incredible.”

“The bike was super, super aggressive, super nervous. I couldn’t accelerate, I couldn’t brake. In the last eight, ten laps I only braked with one finger.”

“Obviously at Mugello we didn’t have an optimal setting, but I think overall everyone was in similar conditions. So, in general, it means that the downforce that we have in general in the MotoGP class is too much for the human body, just too much.”

Espargaro wasn’t the only rider to have physical problems at Mugello, with both Yamaha riders experiencing arm pump problems, as did Raul Fernandez, who underwent surgery on his right arm on the Tuesday following the race.

Aerodynamic development became a key battleground in MotoGP when Ducati began the 2015 season with winglets on its bike.

While efforts have been made to curb this for 2017, manufacturers have simply developed new aerodynamic concepts within the regulatory framework.

For the 2027 revision of the regulations, aerodynamic development will be reduced in an attempt to reduce the negative impact they have on the spectacle and overtaking possibilities in racing.

In 2015, when aerodynamic development was in its nascent stage, the fastest lap at Mugello was 1’46″489, while the race was completed in 41’39″173.

In 2024, the fastest lap is now 1’44″504, while the race time was 40’51″385.

While this achievement is not solely due to aerodynamic development – with improvements in engines and the advent of lowering gear, as well as tire development – the influence it has had on MotoGP is clear.