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In Qatar, all the manufacturers are testing new things for 2021, but there is one that is looking even further ahead, to next year. Suzuki, in fact, brought to Losail a new engine that, due to the development freeze, it will not be able to use this season but in 2022. Despite this, Suzuki did test it first with test rider Guintoli and today also with Alex Rins.
“It was the most important thing to do today. The character is quite similar to the current one, but the top speed has improved and that was what we had asked for. I also noticed some other little things, but I can't tell you” smiled the Spaniard.
Alex ended the day with the 10th fastest time and perhaps that's his only regret…
"Unfortunately I was a bit unlucky - he said - The first new soft tyre I mounted had a strange behaviour, it slid a lot, while with the second I found a slower rider and I made a mistake in passing him. I wouldn't have been first, but certainly closer to the best. However, it was two days of positive testing, we have a lot of things to try and I certainly won't be bored to lap another 3 days here ”.
The next tests will also be useful to start understanding what the values are on the track, but perhaps we will have to wait a little longer to have some clear ideas.
“There are a lot of riders close to each other, we'll see, but I think the differences in these first two races in Qatar will be very small. We will have to wait for the next Grands Prix to see everyone's level” Rins commented.
Unlike his teammate, Joan Mir did not test the new engine, "I will do it in the next tests" he explained, and instead he focused on the chassis.
“I used the new frame - said the world champion - There are positive and other negative things, but it is not a revolution. It has better driveability, but we have lost something under braking. We still have to work on it and see if we can solve the problems by acting on the setting, we still have 3 days to do it. In general, the Suzuki hasn't changed much, the important thing is to improve the details, to make progress on the flying lap, even if today I didn't concentrate much on this area ”.
However, Mir did finish with the 8th fastest time.
“I'm quite happy, I'm not far from the best. It was a great test and we have a good base” he concluded.
