Ducati MotoGP team could try new winglet solution in Qatar test

Having pioneered winglets in MotoGP and been most-vocal about their subsequent banning for 2017, Ducati has played its aerodynamic cards close to its chest during winter testing.

Yamaha, Suzuki and Aprilia have already tested front fairings aimed at offsetting the lost downforce, with the Japanese brands opting for winglets concealed within bodywork bulges and Aprilia sculpting two large channels into the front of its RS-GP.

Ducati has stuck to standard front aero on its Desmosedici, indicating it could even wait until the Qatar season opener to run a new solution.

It is understood Ducati has brought a new fairing to Qatar for the final test, but its engineers have not yet decided whether it will be used on any of the three days of running from Friday.

The new regulations dictate that each manufacturer - other than newcomer KTM - must homologate one fairing option before the first race of the season, with one further update allowed at any time in the year.

Teams are then allowed to alternate between the two fairing options in whatever way they wish.

Ducati has also scheduled a private test at Jerez for between the first and second grands prix of the season, with Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso.