Factory Option - Open Option, which is the best?

We already know how they differ and that Ducati will race under the Open regulations while Honda and Yamaha will each have four Factory bikes lined up in the 2014 season of the MotoGP World Championship But do we know which of the two options on paper is the most appropriate? What advantages do each of them have? And disadvantages?

We can think a priori that Factory motorcycles, with all their technological boast they will be much superior than Open them. Although looking at the times of the training sessions as well as the problems they are having to be able to finish the races with 20 liters of fuel, the matter is not very clear. Or at least not so clear if we look at the performance of the FTR-Yamaha. Nobody counted that it could be there but rather in the positions in which the Honda RCV1000R.

Factory - Open, advantages

Let's start with the possible advantages of the two categories. The models Factory They can develop their own software (although using the Magneti Marelli control unit for this) so they can control much more exactly the behavior of the motorcycle, both in terms of consumption and traction control, antiwheelie, etc.

For instance the traction control is so sophisticated that during training collects data on tire wear and then, after entering it into an algorithm, to know exactly what traction control to use based on the curve, the laps, the fuel load. But in addition, this system learns and if, due to the demands of the race, the wear is more pronounced, it is capable of predicting it and acting accordingly, always making the most of the tire.

They also have the advantage of seamless change, about two or three tenths faster per lap. And in this sport we already know that everything adds up.

In the case of Open, they have 24 liters of fuel. More gas is more power, easy as that. They also have a range of softer tires that can give you extra tenths. 12 engines per season that can also be modified and evolved to improve as the season progresses. And also something very important: 120 tires per rider to do as many workouts as you want during the season.

Factory - Open, disadvantages

For motorcycles Factory, one of the main disadvantages is the fuel load, of only 20 liters. Some fast circuits like Mugello or Misano may have a really hard time getting to the finish. Some may miss the odd horse. Yamaha already had problems last year, commented even by Valentino Rossi and for the moment, they are draining the bulk when asked about this year's consumption.

Another problem is the freezing of the engines in terms of evolution in addition to the impossibility of training beyond the official tests after the Jerez, Barcelona and Brno Grands Prix; and five additional days on a designated circuit.

For motorcycles Open, those four more liters of fuel can be a problem in the first few laps since it's more weight that raises its center of gravity (it is approximately three kilos more). The soft tire on the other hand, an advantage in the first laps but not all circuits can use it. Likewise, the traction control is much simpler so they will not be able to take advantage of it as well as they want until the end.

It can almost be assured that Factory bikes will be aheadNot only because of the motorcycles but because they have the four best riders at their command: Marc Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi. But on twisty circuits, where last year the CRT were already fighting, this year may also give some surprise.

Me I wouldn't rule out a podium On one of these silly days where one of the four up front has a problem.