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Suzuki didn't fare well at the latest Barcelona GP, seeing Iannone outside the points zone with Guintoli (who started last) hot on his heels at the line is an image that leaves little room for interpretation. Particularly if we consider that one year ago Vinales finished fourth with that bike, albeit with a significant gap.
In Japan they are working hard to sort things out and team manager Davide Brivio trying to close ranks, aware that the road to competitiveness is still a long one. “It definitely wasn't the race we expected and Andrea is the first to be disappointed” he admits.
It was a tough race for everyone…
“Yes, and for us more than the others. It was very strange, it's the first time I've heard the winner say that it was more important to save the tyres than be fast. We have to work on that”.
There's now talk of the Suzuki 'Vinales effect', as there was with Stoner in Ducati. Might Maverick's talent have been concealing the bike's defects?
“Maverick is undoubtedly one of the strongest riders in the championship, but last year he worked so hard on the bike, bringing it to its first win, this is why we wanted to hold on to him. Aleix too, in the final races of the year, was in line with Vinales, fighting for the podium on several occasions”.
Is this bar talk?
“Yes, because we could say the same about Honda with Marquez or, in the past, for Yamaha with Valentino. What you need is a package comprising bike and rider, inseparable.”
Right now you don't have this pairing…
“There is no reason why we can't repeat last year's result with Andrea too, but there are technical issues preventing us. Right now both the rider and bike are unable to express their significant potential”.
There's a rumour Iannone might leave at the end of the season...
“I've read that and respond by saying that we have a 2-year contract with him, there's no need to add anything else”.
How can you get out of this crisis?
“I can assure you that they are working hard in the race department in Japan. For the Barcelona race they sent us two extra electronics technicians and, for the test, a new frame to improve rear grip. They are trying to satisfy Andrea's requirements”.
Iannone says he's unable to ride the GSX-RR…
“All riders need time to adapt to a new bike. Just consider Valentino or Crutchlow, having left Ducati it took them time to adapt and Lorenzo too this year, though he moved in the opposite direction. It's the price you pay”.
Do you have the patience to wait?
“Whatever it takes, of course”.
You were also without Rins, was that a limitation?
“It definitely penalised us, that and also the fact we don't have a satellite team. Another team helps carry the development forward and allows for comparisons to be drawn. We hope to have that for 2019”.
Internal rivalry is also important…
“Sure, when Maverick came to us he was a rookie, then he became fast and Aleix had to roll up his sleeves to reach that same level. It's not just a technical matter, I think even Lorenzo benefits from Dovizioso's performance, a team-mate provides motivation. In this season, being left alone was a limitation for Iannone”.
How long before we see Suzuki racing at the sharp end?
“I don't know, but as I've said there's a lot going on in the race department and we'll get out of this, work always pays off. Sometimes you need to be in 'patient mode' in racing, I remain optimistic because I know Suzuki has the potential to do it. We have some more difficult races ahead of us but we're not missing anything, Iannone is a strong and experienced rider, Rins is very talented. We just need time”.
