VR46 is facing an unusual top-speed deficit at Sepang, with Fabio di Giannantonio losing around 7-8 km/h on every straight. Team manager Pablo Nieto described the loss as especially damaging at this circuit, where the exceptionally long main straight leaves little room for such a disadvantage.

The problem was already visible in the Sprint, where Di Giannantonio finished fifth. Afterward, he called the motorcycle very good but said other issues were preventing the team from showing its full potential. When asked to clarify those issues, he declined to explain exactly what was holding the bike back.

VR46 is investigating the cause together with Ducati. Nieto said that all the engines used by the team are exactly the same, while the possible explanations include aerodynamics, the rider’s position and the engine itself. The team had also been short of some kilometres per hour in Australia, although that circuit’s different layout did not expose the disadvantage in the same way as Sepang.

The effect is directly relevant to racing: less speed on the straights makes overtaking attempts more difficult. Di Giannantonio had qualified sixth, on the outside of the second row, before finishing ninth in Sunday morning’s warm-up. Nieto also said the team must find a solution ahead of the next Grand Prix in Qatar, where the same concern is expected to matter again.