Ducati MotoGP Riders Test Panigale V4 at Balaton Park

Marc Márquez, Pecco Bagnaia & Ducati Corse Riders Get First Taste of New Circuit, Ahead of Historic Hungarian GP Debut. 

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The summer break was cut short for the Ducati Lenovo Team and fellow Ducati Corse riders as they returned to the saddle for a special test session at Hungary’s Balaton Park Circuit, the venue set to host the first-ever Hungarian MotoGP from August 22–24.

On Tuesday, Ducati organized a team-building test day with the Ducati Panigale V4 S, giving riders a chance to familiarize themselves with the freshly minted circuit. Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez led the charge, joined by VR46 Racing Team and Gresini Racing riders including Fabio Di Giannantonio, Franco Morbidelli, Alex Márquez, Fermín Aldeguer, and Michele Pirro.

With around 70 laps completed between Pecco and Marc, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive as the squad prepared for the return to racing at the Austrian GP in Spielberg (August 15–17).

Pecco Bagnaia (#63) shared: “Getting back on the bike after the holidays is always nice. My first impressions of the Balaton track are good. The track is small, you have to be careful in the chicanes, but I’m satisfied. The layout is unique, and we’re having fun. It will be different with the Desmosedici GP, but for now I’m enjoying it with the Panigale V4, even trying to slide it”.

Marc Márquez (#93) added: “A great day on track with the entire Ducati Corse Squad. I’m happy; the track layout is unique and unusual. It will require a slightly different riding style; it’s a stop and go track and you’ll need to adapt. The faster you get into the rhythm, the better it gets, and you can really enjoy the speed. The tarmac is good; they did a great job. I can’t wait to race here with the MotoGP bike”.

The test not only helped riders get a feel for the new layout but also served as a morale booster ahead of a packed second half of the MotoGP season. All eyes will now be on Balaton Park, as MotoGP prepares to make history in Hungary later this month.