What we know about Ducati’s Balaton Park test ahead of new MotoGP race

Ducati sent seven units of its Panigale V4 super sport bike to Hungary on Tuesday, so that its riders could learn the Balaton Park circuit, which makes its debut on the MotoGP calendar later this month.

Despite comfortably leading all three world championships – riders’, teams’, and constructors’ – the Italian manufacturer is leaving nothing to chance. Hence the private test with its MotoGP riders at the brand-new track, where the Hungarian GP will be held from 22-24 August.

On Monday afternoon, the six Ducati MotoGP riders made their way to Lake Balaton, located about an hour and a half from Budapest. Marc Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia from the official factory team joined Fermin Aldeguer and Alex Marquez from Gresini Racing, and Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio from VR46 Racing. Also in tow was the factory’s test and development rider Michele Pirro.

Each of the seven riders had access to a Panigale V4 S Pro, the most sophisticated and race-ready street bike from the Bologna-based manufacturer. It is also the model from which Ducati’s WorldSBK machine is derived.

In addition to a set of extras (valued at over €10,000) that transformed the Panigale V4 S Pro into a near-race bike, Ducati’s technicians implemented specific modifications – enhancing brakes and suspension – while staying within the rules that prohibit using actual racing components in private team tests.

Marc Marquez, Panigale V4 S, Balaton Park

Photo by: Ducati Corse

The riders began hitting the track around 11am in sunny and hot conditions. The asphalt was in fairly good shape following the WorldSBK round held at the track 10 days ago, after which WorldSBK rider Alvaro Bautista had said he was pleasantly surprised by the low-speed venue. 

The Ducati session ended around 5pm, when the riders started their journeys home to prepare for next weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, which heralds the end of the summer break.

According to the regulations, no MotoGP rider is allowed to ride on the Hungarian track during the 15 days prior to the event.

“Vacation ended early for the Ducati Lenovo Team and the other Ducati Corse MotoGP teams,” the team explained in a press release.

“It was a busy Tuesday, a team-building event with seven riders on track to get familiar with the Hungarian circuit. About 70 laps in total between Pecco and Marc and very positive feelings heading into the imminent return to competition,” the note continued.

Francesco Bagnaia, Panigale V4 S, Balaton Park

Photo by: Ducati Corse

“Getting back on the bike after the holidays is always a pleasure,” said Bagnaia. “My first impressions of the Balaton track are good. It’s a small circuit, and you have to be careful in the chicanes, but I’m satisfied. The layout is unique, and we’re having fun. It’ll be different with the Desmosedici GP, but for now, I’m enjoying the Panigale V4 – even trying to drift it,” added the two-time world champion.

World championship leader Marquez also enjoyed being back on a bike. “A great day on track with the whole Ducati Corse team,” ran his quote. “I’m happy; the layout is unique and unusual. It’ll require a slightly different riding style – it’s a stop-and-go circuit and you’ll need to adapt. The quicker you find your rhythm, the better it gets, and you can really enjoy the speed. The asphalt is in good condition; they did a great job. I’m really looking forward to racing here on the MotoGP bike.”

The Hungarian Grand Prix returns to the world championship calendar after a 33-year absence. Its last edition took place in 1992 at the Hungaroring in Budapest, where Eddie Lawson took victory for Cagiva – then Italy’s primary representative on the premier class grid.

Two years earlier, Honda rider Mick Doohan won the only other world championship edition of the Hungarian GP, which also took place at the country’s long-standing Formula 1 circuit.