Ducati Reveals Major Aero Update on MotoGP GP26

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Ducati has unveiled a significantly revised aerodynamic package on its Desmosedici GP during the Sepang MotoGP shakedown test, offering an early indication of a major development push ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season.

The machine run by test rider Michele Pirro in Malaysia appeared markedly different from the version presented at Ducati’s season launch. Visible changes were introduced across the fairing, wing elements, and multiple aerodynamic surfaces, signalling a more aggressive development direction than initially anticipated.

The most striking revisions are concentrated at the front of the bike. The forward-mounted wing elements are noticeably larger than before, featuring a double-profile lower section with internal ducting. At the same time, the upper fairing has been reshaped, adopting a more squared and tapered form that alters the airflow structure around the frontal area.

Further changes are evident at the airbox inlet, which now appears flatter and more horizontally extended than on the previous specification. This redesign is expected to play a role in airflow management and cooling efficiency, both of which are critical factors in sustaining performance over race distance.

Lower down the bodywork, Ducati has reverted to the stepped fairing concept first seen during the Valencia test last November. The stepped section now blends directly into a long slot running almost to the tail of the bike, replacing the smoother fairing surfaces displayed at the launch. The lower diffuser area also appears larger, pointing to an increased emphasis on underbody aerodynamics and controlled airflow extraction.

Taken as a whole, these developments suggest that what was initially viewed as a transitional season for the GP26 is instead evolving into a substantial shift in Ducati’s aerodynamic philosophy at Borgo Panigale. Compared with the bike first revealed to the public, the Sepang-spec machine represents a notable evolution beneath the bodywork as well as in its external aero concept.

Although the Sepang shakedown is restricted to test riders and rookies — meaning Ducati’s factory and satellite race riders have yet to sample the new package — the decision to introduce such a visibly different aerodynamic configuration at this early stage underlines Ducati’s intent to push aero performance well ahead of the official pre-season tests.

By committing to extensive aerodynamic experimentation during the shakedown phase, Ducati is positioning itself to gather critical data before the full rider line-up begins testing. The effectiveness of this updated aero package is set to play a key role in shaping the final specification of the Desmosedici GP as preparations for the 2026 MotoGP campaign accelerate.