Top 15 Riders at Mugello 2024 Could Have Won the 2023 Race
The 2024 MotoGP season was marked by a significant increase in the performance of riders and bikes, clearly evidenced at the Italian Grand Prix, held in Mugello. The time difference between the 2023 and 2024 races is impressive: the top 15 drivers who crossed the finish line this year completed the distance of 23 laps faster than Francesco Bagnaia, winner of the 2023 race.
Among those who have improved significantly is Yamaha’s Alex Rins, who finished 15th in 2024 with a time of 41m 14.998s, faster than Bagnaia’s winning time in 2023, which was 41m 16.863s. However, victory again went to Bagnaia, who bettered his own time by 25.478 seconds, underscoring just how competitive the 2024 season has become.
Championship leader Jorge Martin emphasized the high level of competition: “The level is so high, we have to try really hard, the times are incredibly fast. In the Sprint we did the qualifying lap time of three years ago. But it’s normal now. The tires are better and the bikes too.”
Among the riders who have made the biggest personal improvements is Aprilia’s Maverick Viñales, who was 33 seconds faster in 2024 than the previous year. However, Viñales still wants to improve: “But… only P8! I would like to improve 45 seconds to win the race!”
Viñales also commented on Ducati’s advantage: “They took a step. I don’t know if it was occasionally like at Mugello, but at Le Mans I also had a good race and only came in P5! We have to take a step. Let’s have a look at Assen, a track that might suit our bike better than Mugello.”
Aprilia technical director Romano Albesiano confirmed Michelin’s rear tire changes, which appear to have benefited some bikes more than others. For KTM, newcomer Pedro Acosta explained that he and the factory worked hard to avoid chatter caused by the revised rear tire’s increased grip. “Since Le Mans we’ve somehow managed to avoid that,” Acosta said.
The performance of the pilots in 2024 leaves no doubt that technological evolution and the adaptation of pilots to new conditions are key factors in increasing competitiveness. The time sheet shows that the best drivers of 2024 not only surpassed the 2023 times, but did so by a margin that demonstrates the rapid evolution of the sport.
In summary, the 2024 MotoGP season saw a significant jump in overall performance, with the top 15 riders at Mugello 2024 proving they could have won the previous year’s race. This evolution promises an even more exciting and competitive championship.
