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Ducati victories herald a new era in fuel economy

01/12/2007

Victories for the Ducati Corse team in the 2007 MotoGP World Championship have set the scene for the team’s challenge to achieve two titles this season: the rider’s and the manufacturer’s championships.

After eight victories and three podium places in 14 races, Casey Stoner was leading the rider’s championship and was 76 points ahead of superstar Valentino Rossi. Ducati was leading the manufacturer’s championship, 60 points ahead of Yamaha.

A combination of masterful riding, powerful engine performance and improved fuel economy has put newly signed Casey Stoner in the lead for the MotoGP championships. Stoner snatched the first Ducati win of the season in Qatar, in March, racing a Desmosedici GP7 in the new 800-cc MotoGP class. This was the start of a brilliant season.

These results meant a winning first half to the new season for Ducati – despite the introduction of new rules that led to changes in MotoGP bike design. Significant reductions in both fuel tank and engine capacity have meant that fuel consumption was a contentious issue for all teams.

With fuel economy in mind, Ducati has worked with Shell Global Solutions to develop the racing oil Shell Advance‡ and a new blend of Shell V-Power‡ racing fuel that was used for the first time in Qatar.

Livio  Suppo, Ducati MotoGP Project Manager, says, “The fuel you use can help in improving fuel consumption. We have done a great job with Shell, and every little helps. To work with a company that also works in Formula One is very important.”

‡Advance and Shell V-Power are Shell trademarks.