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MotoGP, Iannone: "I'm focusing on improving the Aprilia, Espargarò only on going fast""

Andrea: “I don't care about results right now, I want to work to make changes that take us in the right direction. The responsibility falls on my shoulders"

MotoGP: Iannone: "I'm focusing on improving the Aprilia, Espargarò only on going fast""

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Jerez de la Frontera, round four of the 2019 world championship. As we head into the Spanish GP, Andrea Iannone has only 6 championship points. Some acceleration is needed, though the former Suzuki rider is calm and pleased with the work Aprilia has done, also during testing following the Austin race two weeks ago.

"The Austin test was positive overall. We were able to cover some miles and analyse solutions that we don't have time for over a race weekend. The work different from the usual and now they need to understand the data back at the factory and try to give us some new solutions. There hasn't been great improvement so far, but the overall framework is clear. Even if we want to introduce some new elements, it's important to find the right balance between what brings improvement on one side but worsens the situation on the other, and vice versa. It takes patience. I don't expect big things in the immediate future, Aprilia is working well".

With regard to his tough season start, Iannone speaks very clearly and is not at all worried about his results, which stem from the work to improve and develop the bike, something that falls on his shoulders to a great extent.

A lot of the development responsibility is mine and I often have to make sacrifices over a race weekend to carry the work forward. Espargarò has got used to the bike, he's been riding it for four years and he's fast but he only complains when he crashes. I don't want to do that and adapt completely, it's not productive, I want to make changes that take us in the right direction. He's had chance to understand certain things in watching me, and he's realised that his riding style and his work are not the right way to reach the podium. Right now, I prefer to ride a little slower to take steps forward. I'm pleased with the work and don't care about race results right now, we need to wait, if I'm last in Argentina or am 6 or 7 tenths slower it's not because I want that but because I've chosen to make my contribution in order to create a faster bike. Right now, I'm doing this work alone”.

As for the technical aspects, Iannone is very clear about the importance of the electronics in today's MotoGP.  He also touches on test rider Bradley Smith who will compete at Jerez as a wildcard.

“I?m pleased to make my contribution but Aprilia needs to accept things and react and I think that's what's happening. We need to exploit the electronics, we riders, with our human limitations, can't do it all. There probably won't be anything new this weekend.  
Bradley Smith is a great help, he tests many things, but we all have different needs on the bike. He is similar to me in terms of riding style, he helps to speed up the improvements but often things only come to us and we lose time over the weekend”.

AUDIO RECORDED BY MATTEO AGLIO

Translated by Heather Watson
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