2012 Silverstone MotoGP FP1 Result: Rossi Leads Ducati 1-2 In The Wet

It's funny to me that even the riders themselves don't have an answer to why the Duc is such a great wet weather bike. I thought about this for a bit, and tried to be as objective as possible in my thought process. What is it that is different on race day? Duh, obviously it's wet. What else is different? Duh, rain tires. Other than a "wet map" for the fueling, and some rain gear not much else is different. Wet pavement is cooler so that's got to be a factor as well. So, on the surface anyway, there are 4 separate factors. Pavement temperature, less available traction ('cause it's wet) rain tires and a "wet map"

Of those 4 things 3 are the interface of the GP12 with the pavement. Since the wet map can obviously be tested anytime, that must not be a determining factor. So of the 3 remaining factors of lower grip level, rain tires, and pavement temperature, one or more of these things must be the difference in why the Ducati is good in the wet. Let's rule out pavement temperature first. It's obviously the same temperature for everyone, and the other two Ducati's don't seem to generate the same success in the wet.

That leaves the lower grip level and rain tires. Since the lower grip level also is the same for everyone, for the moment anyway, let's eliminate that too. That leaves the rain tires. Does anyone have any information on the construction of the rain tires?

I would contend that the difference in the rain tire construction is the source of the Ducati's wet weather strength. A number of years back, I read that to test the wet weather tires, the test riders took to a dry track and rode them until they went off. At that time, they were able to go a full race distance and then some before the tires started to go off. At that time, only Ducati and Suzuki were running Bridgetone tires. Is it just possible that the construction of the rain tire is similar to tires that Bridgestone made specifically for Ducati back then? If that's so, why is it that the other two Ducati's finish essentially where they do in the dry in a wet race? Nicky stated something that kind of gave a bit of insight there. He said that they always knew that the bike was better at getting heat into the tires. If that's true, and the version being ridden by Barbera and Abraham is no different to the GP0 from the beginning of last season I think the tires are the answer. Or at least a big part of it.

Finally, back to the wet map. It's not as aggressive in inital application which is something that Rossi has repeatedly mentioned. Not only in the GP12, but also in the R1 when he test rode the WSBK machines. I think, there is not a single factor why, but rather a combination of the 4 factors I point out. Combining the effects of each, the GP12 becomes a tiny bit less of a beast. Just enough that it can be tamed by a good rider.......sean