A good start always bodes well for the future, and this is especially true for Honda, with Joan Mir recording the best time on the second day of testing, clocking in at 1'56''874. A fast lap that speaks to the continuous progress made by the Japanese manufacturer, but also to the light at the end of the tunnel, pursued after years of difficulty.
The positive performance on the track is echoed by the positive and happy spirit in the garage, albeit still realistic about the status quo. After all, their rivals have not been sitting idly by. "If Ducati takes one step forward, we have to take three," commented Mir, while Luca Marini, for his part, looked at the bar with clarity, aware that their rivals on the track will not let them dominate the top of the standings for long. However, the signs are positive, and the path taken seems to be heading in the right direction.
"It's been a while!" joked Joan Mir. "I'm happy with this morning's times, they were competitive, and I managed to push for a good lap. My confidence with the bike is improving, and when you put on new tyres, that translates into a good time attack. In the morning, we focused on that, then we worked to complete the puzzle by trying different things and looking for the best options for my riding style. I'm quite happy, I think the test analysis has produced good results, and I hope that tomorrow we can take another step forward. Probably because of today's rain, we'll have a busy schedule tomorrow, but I'm happy."
Do you already have a clear idea of the bike ahead of Thailand?
"Yes, the times show that the base is good, but it's clear that there is still room for improvement. In the time attack, I feel good on the bike, although with the used tyres there is still work to be done to refine it and find some margin. Tomorrow we will try to finish on the same note, but even if the tests ended today, it wouldn't be a drama because I think the base is good."
You have two important decisions to make regarding the engine and aerodynamics. Are you on the right track?
"The current engine configuration is excellent, it has a bit more power than we had before, and I feel comfortable with it. As for the aerodynamics, we are still using last year's, and we are waiting for updates, even though we will try a few things tomorrow, but it won't be the final specification. I hope to see it for the Buriram tests."
What is your current level compared to your rivals?
"I don't have a clear idea yet, but my comments usually coincide with Marini's. I think from what I've seen, we've made some good progress. Ducati has also done so; when they want to be, they are fast, and that's the current reality. We have some ideas for tomorrow, but we'll also see something in Thailand. Confidence is returning, but if they take one step forward, we have to take three, so we'll probably take one and hope to take another."
Marini: Now let's see where our rivals set the bar
Equally satisfied and lucid in his analysis, Luca Marini highlighted Honda's progress, aware that his rivals will not stand by and watch for too long. The third day of testing promises to be a battle royale with fast laps all around.
"Joan did an incredible lap, he was very good," Marini stated, "he was the first to break 1'56, now let's see where the others will set the bar. I think tomorrow morning will be like qualifying, considering that we saved some tyres in the afternoon."
Fast laps have always been a weak point for Honda. Has that problem been solved?
"Yes, we're getting closer, and the bike has improved a lot since the end of last season. Joan has improved a lot, especially in braking, and he managed to do some good qualifying sessions. That's what I started working on myself since the Valencia tests, to improve the feeling in braking, and I have to say I have a very good feeling. Let's see tomorrow morning where we can get with the soft tyres, even if other problems will come up, as happens when you go faster. But all the improvements have been positive, and in the garage, we are all positive and happy, and communication with the Japanese is excellent."
What did you try today?
"In the morning, we focused on the new components program, we divided up the work, and I concentrated on the vibrations, because here it's easy to have them at turns 5 and 12, and I think we've found something that could help us. Even though we still need more data, we're heading in the right direction."
What was the best aspect of these first two days of testing?
"The braking feel has improved. Tomorrow we'll see what kind of simulation to do, whether sprint or long race. Today, at the end of the afternoon, we rested."