08.02.2024 | 12 Images

Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 get on the move for 2024 MotoGP™ as Acosta progresses at Sepang test

2024 MotoGP news

Pedro Acosta Moto2 2024 Sepang test © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo


A lengthy stay at the sweltering Sepang International Circuit saw Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 speed-up preparations for the 2024 season and star rookie Pedro Acosta make a head-turning effort as MotoGP gathered momentum for the first time this year.


  • Malaysia hosts the traditional first three-day test for the MotoGP crews as riders get back to speed and new components and configurations are trialed ahead of the 21-GP calendar
  • Moto2™ World Champion and new recruit Pedro Acosta takes part in the three-day shakedown sessions prior to the official test and accrues over 1500km of riding mileage. The 19-year-old sets the 9th best lap-time
  • Augusto Fernandez ends the three days 21st fastest after testing various new components for the 2024 edition of the GASGAS RC16
  • MotoGP resumes testing in ten days at the Lusail International Circuit. The two-day affair is followed by the opening Grand Prix at the same circuit on March 8-10
 
Fresh in their new Red Bull GASGAS livery, the Tech3 squad arrived at Sepang for at least six days of riding and testing activity. 2023 Rookie of the Year, Augusto Fernandez, was joined by Pedro Acosta to come to terms with the grippy Malaysian asphalt, the typically high temperatures and to assess their technical options for the 2024 race bike.
 
Due to his rookie status Acosta took part in the shakedown and totaled six days of laps around the varied but fast Sepang layout.

 
Augusto dialed-in the RC16 and went through the brunt of evaluation work on aerodynamics and other engine and chassis tweaks, Acosta quickly learned the intricacies of the advanced technology. He showed promise during a time attack, and kept a vibrant pace during a Sprint simulation with the rest of the MotoGP pack around the lap record mark. Pedro lodged the 9th best effort while Augusto finished in 21st but the bulk of the work had been achieved at Sepang, and with a view to further confirmation of decisions once the second test happens in Qatar on February 19-20.
 
Pedro Acosta, 9th position: “Many days riding and many things to try. Aero, power, electronics. I’m enjoying myself because everything is starting to feel a lot more normal on the bike. We are improving every day and if you see the lap-times from the first shakedown until the last day then we were faster by three seconds. 0.5 per day is not so bad! We are on the way. The team is pushing like crazy to help me with these steps. Everyone has gone faster than last year at this test, so we don’t have to think too much about the lap-times…but the consistency was good.”
 
Augusto Fernandez, 21st position: “Three hard days and not quite the start we were expecting. I didn’t feel that the speed is there yet but we worked better on the final day compared to the previous two and started to understand the new bike a little bit. I recovered some good feelings with used tires. First test done. We’ll rest this week and then look towards Qatar where we had a good race last year and can think about the days we have left to work for 2024.”
 
Nicolas Goyon, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 Team Manager:“The list of items to test here was massive and one goal was to bring our rookie, Pedro, up to MotoGP level and I feel that was ‘mission complete’ thanks to more than 1500km these days where he made some huge improvements and included an impressive race simulation. We did a good job on the technical side and discovered a very mature talent. It’s been a beneficial two weeks. Augusto went through the workload, and I think he will leave Sepang with a little smile on his face having found some directions to come back to his real level in Qatar. I would deeply like to thank the team. The Sepang test is hard, and they worked long into the nights. We have made a good job.”
 
Sebastian Risse, GASGAS Technical Manager: “We finished a very important pre-season test here with GASGAS in Sepang and it was especially long for Pedro! Augusto jumped into the game for the official three-days while Pedro had the six. It was an incredible journey with Pedro to see him grow and to understand things. Of course, he was able to take his time but it looks like he didn’t need much of it! He was up to pace and we’re impressed with his progress, the way he worked with the crew and the fact that he was able to get into some technical aspects already. Augusto struggled to get back to the rhythm and push the bike to the limit but we know he is fast and we know how to put it together for him for the next test.”
 
Grab Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 images from Sepang HERE
 
Sepang official test final combined times
 
1. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA) Ducati 1:56.682
2. Jorge Martin (ESP) Ducati +0.172
3. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Ducati +0.233
9. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 1:57.365
21. Augusto Fernandez (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 1:58.740
 
PRESS CONTACT
 
EVANGELIA SISSIS
GASGAS BRAND & PR MANAGER ROAD RACING
M: +43 676 6652 742
E: Evangelia.sissis@gasgas.com

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Images (12)

Pedro Acosta Moto2 2024 Sepang test
3 231 x 2 154 © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo
Pedro Acosta Moto2 2024 Sepang test
5 000 x 3 333 © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo
Augusto Fernandez 2024 Sepang test
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Augusto Fernandez 2024 Sepang test
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Pedro Acosta Moto2 2024 Sepang test
4 847 x 3 231 © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo
Augusto Fernandez 2024 Sepang test
5 000 x 3 333 © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo
Augusto Fernandez 2024 Sepang test
5 000 x 3 333 © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo
Pedro Acosta Moto2 2024 Sepang test
3 014 x 2 009 © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo
Pedro Acosta Moto2 2024 Sepang test
4 610 x 3 073 © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo
Augusto Fernandez 2024 Sepang test
3 109 x 2 073 © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo
Augusto Fernandez 2024 Sepang test
4 932 x 3 288 © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo
Augusto Fernandez 2024 Sepang test
4 999 x 3 333 © GASGAS Motorcycles/Polarity Photo


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