The second day of tests at Buriram still left question marks for Valentino Rossi. If, on one hand, the frame seems to have given number 46 some concrete feedback, with the electronics, he seems to be at an impasse. In fact, the Doctor is not hiding the problems and the concern is plain to see on his face.
“It was a difficult day – the Yamaha rider began – This morning we were able to begin with a good pace, managing to be faster than yesterday. We had a long list of things to do – he added – in particular on the settings and the electronics, but we were unable to find the right solution to improve.”
Then there is the tyre issue.
“In the afternoon we used new tyres – he recalled – but to be honest, I didn’t find any great improvements. Then this morning I worked with the soft and the lap time was rather good, although, as you saw, on this track we are all very close. In the race there could be a risk of forming the classic mega-group.”
Attention then shifts to the electronics, a real thorn in the side for number 46.
“Last year, we had understood that we had a disadvantage, especially in the second part of the championship – he remembered – During the winter, the Japanese worked with the goal of improving, but at the moment, that step forward we had hoped for has not come, from what we’ve seen between Sepang and Buriram.”
In fact, Rossi does not try to conceal his fear, because time is growing short.
“It is a situation that worries me, since we are struggling – he admitted – This is an aspect that can be solved in a short amount of time, but it isn’t that easy. The importance in MotoGP is now divided in half between mechanics and electronics.”
In two weeks, MotoGP will be in action in Losail and changes are hard to imagine.
“I don’t think that we will manage to solve the problem by Qatar because at the moment there is no solution – he pointed out – Then, it could be that from one track to another, things change.”
The Doctor is then asked if the sensations are the same as last winter in Australia.
“At Phillip Island, I also struggled riding, whereas now with the frame I have better sensations – he explained – The fact is that we are close, but there are a lot of Hondas and Ducatis ahead of us.”
In short, Valentino also seems to have trouble expressing an opinion on these two days.
“The tests are always particular. It’s different than a GP – he concluded – Everything you see is not all the same, but in any case, it offers some indications.”