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Better but not enough, this is a good summary of the first test day in Qatar for Valentino. Compared to Phillip Island, progress has been made but the fastest are still far ahead. Not only Dovi's unbeatable Ducati but also Vinales with the same bike as the Doctor, half a second ahead, and rookie Folger too, by a fraction of a second.
“It's gone quite well, we're working on weight distribution and to improve corner entry. In the end, the time is not bad, I'm slightly quicker than last year, but we still have work to do” admits the Doctor.
It is the entry phase that most concerns Rossi. “I can't enter the turns as I want to” he admits.
He still has two days to solve the problems. “We're working on the riding position, it should make a difference" he hopes, but for now the turning point hasn't arrived. The new frame, which seemed to give benefits at Sepang, isn't winning approval here yet: “it changes very little compared to the old one, we haven't decided yet”.
Valentino also tested the tyres brought by Michelin.
“I did, but after a few laps I start to struggle - he explains - It feels as if they are too soft, a problem we had at Phillip Island too. Here at Losail though, a lot depends on the track conditions, at first there's sand on the track and the tyres get ruined but then the situation usually improvess. We'll see tomorrow”.
Lastly, the Doctor comments on the death of John Surtees.
“He was a great man, he did something that no-one else has done - referring to the motorcycle and F1 titles - I met him 15 years ago in London, then I saw him again two years ago at Goodwood and he was still riding. I'm sorry, we've lost one of the legends of motorsport”.
