Taking advantage of the free days between the different test sessions for the Suzuka 8 Hours, we got back in touch with Randy de Puniet to find out how his runs last week went and provide a final update before the race weekend. which will begin on track Thursday at 13:50 p.m. local.
Hello Randy and thanks for giving us some time from Japan. Let's go back to the last test session. In the end, there were only Hondas?
“Yes, there were only five Hondas. The three official ones, that is to say the MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO Honda with Takumi Takahashi, Takaaki Nakagami and Jack Miller, the FCC TSR with Stefan Bradl, Dominique Aegerter and myself, the Moriwaki Motul Racing with Yuki Takahashi, Ryuichi Kiyonari and Dan Linfoot, plus two others I didn't know. »
Were you able to ride efficiently?
" Yes and no. The first morning the track was not good because the spinning cars had made it dirty, so the first two hours were wasted. In the afternoon it was much better but it was super hot. And when I say hot, it's over 50° on the track. But it still allowed us to work quite a bit.
The second morning, it rained, and that shortened the session with the drying track. We were still able to work but it was especially during the second afternoon where I almost did two race simulations during the two hours. I was able to test both types of racing tires there, the extra hard and the hard. It was interesting to see how the bike behaved throughout these 26-lap runs. »
If it's no secret, how many did you ride during your race simulations?
“I was in 2'08 for 10 laps, then in a low 2'09 for the following laps. I would say that it's pretty good, knowing that I didn't have any drivers to overtake since there was no one on the track. It was also monotonous, but I think we have a good rhythm, even a rhythm to play for victory. Now we have to concrete everything and we still have test sessions. I would like to improve the handling of the bike because I think we can still win in this area. We tried things last time, but it didn't go the right way. We found little things but we still have ideas, but unfortunately the two hours lost on the first day did not allow us to work as we wanted on the chassis. »
In terms of the chassis, there is always a compromise between the three drivers regarding the position. Are you all pretty much satisfied?
“There, with Aegerter, frankly, we had the same directions in terms of all the decisions we made for the suspensions. That was already good. Then as far as the levers, toe clips, etc. are concerned, it's the same within a few millimeters. And like I say, sometimes you fall in a race, you start again with a bent lever or a brake pedal 1 cm higher, and you go just as fast. So… we found a compromise and it’s going well. »
Apparently, there are two kinds of Bridgestone tires: Japanese and European. Is there a difference in performance?
“It seems not. The YART and we ride with European Bridgestones while the MuSASHi, the official Yamaha and the Kawasaki ride with Japanese tires. But today, it is difficult to see a difference since we have not been able to compare the two. »
After this first series of tests dominated by the Hondas, who do you really think is dangerous for victory?
“The MuSASHi, the official Yamaha, the Yoshimura Suzuki, the Moriwaki, without forgetting the Kawasaki. Afterwards, I did not dissect the times of all the drivers. For example at Kawasaki, Haslam rides well but the second rider a little less well. But by how much, we don't know. I think that all these bikes will hold together and that it will come down to who will be the smartest to overtake the backmarkers, who will make the fewest mistakes possible on and off the track. »
At MuSASHi, does Jack Miller stand out from the other two drivers?
" Not really. I would even say that it is the two Japanese drivers who are going the fastest. Nakagami rode really well last time. From what I could see, better than Takahashi, while the first time it was the opposite. »
You who are there, what does the weather forecast for the race weekend?
“They announce nice and warm weather. Maybe a little stormy on Thursday, but from then on, no chance of rain, which is a good thing. But on the other hand, they predict hot and humid. We're going to die (laughs)! Besides, I felt my two simulations pass. Especially since after a stint, you only have 40 minutes to recover, get dressed and set off again. »
Why 40 minutes? Are you three pilots?
“If the third driver is not in good shape, we can consider doing the race with two people. »
Thanks Randy, and we say Damn for the race!
Download the progress of the weekend!
Photo credit : Good-Shoot.com
