Andrea Iannone, making his comeback to the MotoGP scene after a lengthy absence. Has expressed his astonishment at the significant changes in the sport’s machinery since his last race in 2019. During the opening practice session at the 2024 Malaysian MotoGP, Iannone, now riding for VR46 Ducati. Showcased remarkable performance by securing the ninth fastest time on the timesheets, despite not having participated in any pre-season testing.
Iannone’s impressive outing came as he fitted new soft front and medium rear tires, distinguishing himself from many of his competitors who opted for used medium and hard tires. This strategic choice enabled him to leap from the bottom of the standings, finishing just 1.9 seconds behind reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia and ahead of Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori.
After the session, Iannone remarked, “Incredible. It’s another bike, another MotoGP. It’s completely another story.” He highlighted the technological advancements, including enhanced aerodynamics, ride-height devices, and the latest Michelin tires, that have transformed the sport. “It’s difficult to compare [to 2019]; it’s a completely different story, another bike,” he explained.
Iannone elaborated on the differences he observed, noting, “Now you have winglets, a lot of aerodynamics. You ‘charge’ the tires a lot. Braking point, entry, and corner speed—this is the biggest difference. It’s unbelievable. Every lap I try more, and I don’t feel the limit!”
Despite only completing 25 laps without any prior testing, Iannone expressed satisfaction with his performance. “But I’m happy. I’m 1.9 seconds from Pecco. It’s good!” He commented on the stability of the new Ducati compared to the one he rode in 2019, stating, “It has more agility, more everything. It’s easier to ride, It’s less nervous, more stable, and entering corners is easier.”
The only challenge he noted was the physical strain during braking, stating, “With these brakes… Destroyed, destroyed! It’s really a lot of strength.” Iannone’s lap time of 1:59.6 on his first day back is noteworthy, particularly after a four-year anti-doping ban and a successful return to racing in World Superbike earlier this season.
Francesco Bagnaia, who finished first in the practice session, commended Iannone’s performance, saying, “Considering he didn’t do any test, like Alvaro Bautista did last year, he did a better job because he lapped in 1m 59s already—without knowing anything about the rear height device or our tires.” Bagnaia emphasized the impressive nature of Iannone’s comeback, especially in comparison to Bautista’s performance during a wildcard appearance in the previous season.
As Iannone continues to adapt to the evolving landscape of MotoGP, fans and competitors alike are eager to see how his journey unfolds in the remaining sessions of the Malaysian MotoGP.
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