Phillip Island 2025 - Testing and Racing

There were a bunch of rule changes introduced specifically to screw Toprak.
BMW used a different frame under super concessions last year which under the previous rules they would've been allowed to use again this year, even after losing concessions. Now they're no longer allowed to use it.
Didn't they change the rpm limits as well?

JFM01 said:

There were a bunch of rule changes introduced specifically to screw Toprak.
BMW used a different frame under super concessions last year which under the previous rules they would've been allowed to use again this year, even after losing concessions. Now they're no longer allowed to use it.
Didn't they change the rpm limits as well?

Click to expand...

True to a degree, but the super concessions were also given to BMW to keep Toprak happy, and restore competitiveness of the series. Ducati were also dealing with ballast added to Bautista's bike, and everyone was dealing with the new fueling strategy.

The rev limits probably changed, but they don't really matter. The torque/power curve is tightly controlled by the FIM. The extra rpm only allows a rider to pull slightly longer in a gear, and the gearbox needs to be optimized to take full advantage. That's why Kawasaki did not spend their concession points during the season to get the extra rpm. They can only homologate a gearbox once per year, and they felt the extra rpm would not be fully utilized. Now rpm adjustments cannot happen during the season so it doesn't matter.

In theory, all bikes should be running slightly lower rpm due to the fuel flow rules and reduced fuel capacity. The effective power is probably the same or close, the only real impact is on engine reliability because making more power at slightly lower rpm requires higher cylinder pressure.

Ducati are always quick at PI. We'll see how the season develops.