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SBK, Rea: "We're missing horsepower. You don't get on the podium this way, nor do you win."

"Our package is now at the limit, so we can only maximize what we've got. Yamaha will have to roll up their sleeves, but it's unrealistic to think we can get back up front right away."

SBK: Rea:

Fifth at the checkered flag after starting from a third position, Jonathan Rea breathed a sigh of relief and was happy to have been able to battle it out in the leading group again after the difficulties of recent months. Aware of the limitations of his Yamaha, the rider from Northern Ireland tried to analyze the first Estoril race with a certain amount of realism.

"It's a very positive result today, since we maximized what we have available, even if it was complicated with regard to the grip and set-up due to yesterday's less than ideal conditions. Overall, I'm satisfied with the work done and to have accumulated twenty-one laps. Now we know we can do well tomorrow. I suffered a little  with the mechanical traction especially at turns three, four, and six when I was pulling the bike up but, in changes in direction, it was very good," he commented.

About areas to strengthen for the future, the 37-year-old rider said: "In my opinion, we need to improve electronics and find horsepower. I don't know how the concessions can work for us but, if I could have three, four days of testing, I'd use them for the electronics, engine braking and, generally, how to stop the bike. So far, we haven't made much progress in that respect. Mechanical traction, as a whole, is also another thing we have to pay attention to, especially because we're not able to have maximum performance when we have new tires. I, myself, will have to reset during the break and work differently. I know they're working hard in Japan, but fighting for the podium again in the space of one season is unrealistic."

Problems are also present when it comes to speed on the straights: "Today, Locatelli did better than I did at the start but, when he was attacked, they overtook him. There's no substitute for horsepower. If we want to fight for victories and podiums, it's very difficult now. As for me ,in the last three, four laps, I was getting closer to Andrea, but he's doing better, and the overall standings prove that. Then, again, the R1 is a new bike for me. Plus, I think we're at the limit of this package. It's going to be up to the manufacturer and the engineers to improve. Did the concessions help the Kawasaki? It was better than the Yamaha back in 2023, but slower than the others and, at Aragon, I noticed the Ducatis struggled to overtake Lowes."

To this end, Quartararo often emphasizes how Yamaha is rolling up its sleeves in the MotoGP. "Here, the matter is different because of budget and regulations, and they're production bikes. I still have confidence in the guys on the team and those in the factory," he asserted.

One of the critical issues Rea encountered was with the tires. "I'm slow with the SQ, but it's my fault since Loca has often qualified better than I have. Consequently, it's something I'll have to work on for 2025."

Finally, a few words on the introduction of the fins: "They bring downforce, and that's good, even if some argue that they penalize power. Personally, I only used them at the Motorland, and I can't make a comparison."

 

 

Translated by Leila Myftija

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