Dovizioso: Ducati need something more

Andrea Dovizioso has dismissed Ducati’s domination on the final day of the Sepang MotoGP test as a nice show but ultimately unrepresentative of the whole grid’s true pace as he continues to demand “something more”.

The Italian rider completed the final spot in a top-four Ducati lockout on the final day’s timesheet at the Malaysian track, with new team-mate Danilo Petrucci producing a new unofficial lap record of 1m 58.239s, as the Bologna-based squad flexed its muscles over one-lap performance.

But Dovizioso has played down the significance of the lap times given the ideal conditions, especially compared to a regular race weekend, but accepts it confirms the GP19’s strong base.

“I am happy because we tried everything we wanted, these three days there wasn’t bad grip but apart from that was conditions to try everything and we have all the feedback from the new pieces,” Dovizioso said, following Ducati’s debuting a front fork clamp and new aerodynamic fairing. “We improved the bike a little bit and I am happy because there was something.

“For a long time there was something we wanted to try but we couldn’t or didn’t because we didn’t have time during a weekend. We tried today and yesterday and it was better, just small things, but when the base is good small things can make a good effect.

“To finish with four Ducatis, young rider, old riders on top is good because it is another confirmation of our base and the base is good to make the lap time.

“I am going home happy but for me it is not enough, we need something more.”

Dovizioso remained tight-lipped when pressed on what “small thing” he felt immediate gains: “Something small with the setup, but it was better immediately. We asked for that one year ago, and I never tried it, some other riders tried it and kept it, but I never tried it until today.”

Despite the positives listed by the two-time MotoGP title runner-up his familiar concerns remain as he fears Ducati still lacks mid-corner speed compared to its rivals.

“I don’t think it is enough because in the middle of the corners still we have to improve more,” he said. “I feel a big effort from our competitors who are trying to be better.

“I think the two Yamahas did a really good test in these three days, it is quite normal as they really need to improve, so they have to push because there are two tests instead of three.

“The pace of Maverick today was really fast and the track was faster than yesterday so it is difficult to compare pace with him.”