For all five MotoGP™ factories, the Portimao Test was a final chance to properly refine their 2023 contenders ahead of the 21 round season. The bulk of the work was understandably done in Malaysia, with riders and team alike looking to fine-tune and prepare as best they can for the opening round of the year at the Portuguese circuit next weekend instead of trying a raft of major updates.
However, some new items were rolled out of the garages and, as always, our eagle-eyed tech experts here at motogp.com were across them all. Here's a rundown of what each factory was testing at the final pre-season test in Portimao.
DUCATI
After a seriously impressive showing at the Sepang Test, it came as no surprise that Ducati focussed their efforts on perfecting the GP23. They continued work on their updated aerodynamic package, as well as the much-improved 2023 engine. Both Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastiainini did final checks on the ground-effect side fairing but look set to continue with the diffusers on the side of their Ducati Lenovo Team machines. However, Prima Pramac Racing's Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco appear to be a little more uncertain when it comes to what they will run at the opening round of the year.
One of the biggest takeaways from Portimao, though, was World Champion Bagnaia admitting how the Bologna factory's new machine has been predominantly sculpted around his riding style. It's a revelation that could well be key to the 2023 World Championship storyline after the Italian quite clearly flexed his muscles behind closed doors to gain an early advantage over new teammate Bastianini.
YAMAHA
Headlines were dominated late on Sunday evening by Yamaha's rollout of a drastic rear wing. Fabio Quartararo confirmed afterward that it's highly unlikely we'll see the update throughout the season with it not making a difference to the behavior of his Monster Energy Yamaha M1.
Away from that, three new different aero packages were seen in the Iwata factory's garage showing they're still looking to make gains in that department. But it does look likely that Quartararo will begin the season with the same aero package that he finished the 2022 season with following a breakthrough in the closing stages of the day. Franco Morbidelli did the bulk of the aerodynamics work, with one in particular mirroring Ducati's 2019 package, as well as testing a new chassis.
APRILIA
A lot of the talk heading to Portimao was about Aprilia finally deploying their new engine. However, for reasons yet to be revealed, the Noale factory delayed running their slightly improved RS-GP motor until the opening round of the season. Yet more innovation was spotted at Aprilia with several aero parts that will have no doubt caught the rest of the paddock off-guard. First, small winglets were attached to either side of the front forks. Sitting slightly further forward than where you'd expect usual sidepods to be, it remains to be seen if we'll see this throughout the season.
Next, Aprilia added a fin to both sides of their swingarm before we once again saw the rear wing that was first spotted on Lorenzo Savadori's machine during a wildcard appearance at last year's Italian Grand Prix.
HONDA
After a bucket load of parts were seen in Sepang, Honda's test efforts were streamlined in Portimao as they looked to finalise the 2023 RC213V. A new chassis was seen being used by both Marc Marquez and Joan Mir but it's unclear what both Spaniards will use come race time in Portimao. One giveaway that their latest chassis might not be the breakthrough that HRC had hoped it would be is recent speculation that after designing a swingarm for the famous Japanese brand last year, Kalex are reportedly now developing a chassis for them.
Marquez did the bulk of his work with updated wings and air intake, whilst continued work went into the electronics on the RC213V with Mir complaining about the harshness of the throttle connection on his new machine.
KTM
Not much to report from the Austrian end of pitlane after they made their decision on the direction to take with the 2023 RC16 following the Sepang Test. Factory boys Brad Binder and Jack Miller were dialling in the new engine and aero package, as well as getting the electronics fine-tuned.
KTM's big concern heading into the new season is rear grip, with Binder admitting updates throughout the year are the only way they'll be able to sort the issue.