English
Italiano
Aleix Espargarò got his first taste of competition as a test rider on the Honda, but the sensations he felt on the track in Jerez Saturday don't seem to have dispersed the doubts that are holding back the Japanese manufacturer's progress. According to the Spanish rider, the main clue - namely, the vibrations - may have, therefore, held back the podium aspirations of the Honda rider. As they wait for Monday, tomorrow's long-distance race could offer something new: perhaps the actual moment when Aleix can put his development experience to good use, as he's done in the past on the Aprilia.
"I was expecting something more, to be a bit more competitive," Aleix admitted. "But we had some problems in qualifying, and I could only use one bike. I was only able to do one fast lap. I think the Q2 was within our reach. In the sprint, in Jerez, it's really difficult to overtake, so I was stuck behind the Yamaha. There was nothing I could do. The biggest problem though was the vibrations. It's unbelievable how much lap time you lose with those alone. Joan had a good race today, although he didn't shine. But when we figure out how to solve this problem, we can get back to fighting for the podium."
What do you think they're due to?
"It seems that, as the temperatures rise, the problem gets worse with the soft. It occurs especially in corner entry. This forces you to change your trajectories, which isn't the optimal way to ride. This morning, Joan Mir lapped on a low thirty-six, but the temperatures this morning were different. Yesterday, I analyzed many videos, and it seems like the tail starts to vibrate in corner entry. The vibrations come from the bike, maybe the engine. And, if the compound is very hot, this amplifies them. It's incredible how Zarco and Mir can be fast with these vibrations. We can't continue like this."
Compared to the past, how did you experience Qualifying and the Sprint this Saturday?
"It's the first time in my career that I had these sensations. I didn't have the usual race pressure. Of course, I pushed. I was happy on the grid. In the past, a place I hated, the worst place on earth. Today, instead, I was calm. I like my job, but that of seeking a podium now is the job of the other Honda riders."
What impressed you most about this weekend so far?
"Not many things. Good or bad, the championship has remained how I left it last year. Ducati is at the top, Honda has improved the most, but the level is really high. Quartararo's pole was incredible. I'm really happy for Fabio, who's been competitive here in Jerez in the past, as well."
