Mandalika.- The Suzuki rider finished fifth on the time sheet (1.31.586) less than three tenths off the best time of this second day of work in the pre-season test in Indonesia, marked by the Italian Luca Marini.
Despite achieving a good attack on the clock in the final part of the practice with new rubber, Joan Mir could not ride many laps during this second day of testing, doing 47 laps, and the Spaniard explained the reasons.
“The day was conditioned by some covid positives that we had. We don’t have many people and that has made it difficult, especially because it affects the electronics,” he said, before adding that at the end of the day “my feelings are good.”
The layout created many difficulties for the drivers on Friday due to the presence of mud and dirt on the track.
“The circuit is better, and the racing line is bigger,” said Mir.
“We know that circuits that are not used during the year are complicated. But after what happened yesterday, I think they will work so that it doesn’t happen again.”
One of the points in which the Suzuki is improving the most is in the power of the engine.
“I feel prepared, we have a good bike. We have top speed and that is a great help”, valued the runner, who throughout 2021 lamented the lack of top speed. “Top speed will help us in qualifying. Now, when I put the soft rubber on, I notice much more grip.”
“Each day of testing is very important. Every day counts and the preseason goes by fast. Every time the details are more important, and that’s what we’re concentrating on now.”
Finally, they asked Joan for an assessment of whether the Suzuki was ready to compete with those who, on paper, are the big favorites right now.
“It is early to speak, the tests do not have much to do with reality, you can only trust a little. Some years we have had good pre-seasons and then you suffer, you have to know how to understand them because they are very indicative. But we have improved in top speed, we are up and that is important with so many Ducatis on the track, I am happy with the step we have taken with the engine, but that makes it difficult to adapt the electronics, especially on a new track where We don’t have any prior information.”
“I am happy with the steps we have taken and I think we will arrive prepared for the first race in Qatar,” concluded the 2020 champion.
