A few weeks after the first official test at Sepang, the Reale Esponsorama Racing team met at Phillip Island. The opportunity for Loris Baz to resume work where he left off in Malaysia.
On the Australian track, the Frenchman evaluated his Ducati Desmosedici GP15 to find the grip he lacked over the three days. It was only Friday afternoon that the French pilot found the direction to take. From then on, Loris Baz focused on a base of adjustments in order to regain confidence in anticipation of the next test which will be held at Losail from March 10. He concluded this penultimate official pre-season test with the 18th time in the combined ranking, less than a second and a half from the reference time of the three days.
Loris Baz (18th – 1'29.977):
“These three days were relatively complicated. Although we don't have the same bike, Héctor and I couldn't find the feeling. Phillip Island is a circuit that usually suits me, but during these three days I didn't have enough grip and I couldn't turn the bike. We analyzed the bike in every direction for three days until we finally found the direction to take on Friday afternoon. We made significant progress during the afternoon.
Our time does not reflect the work we have accomplished, because I think that with a new tire a better time was possible. This is encouraging and shows that we have worked well. My chief mechanic made the right choices, despite this situation which turned out to be complicated. Also, this allowed us to know the bike in every detail and to evaluate numerous adjustments.
We leave Australia having regained confidence. Phillip Island is obviously a special track compared to Sepang. The Losail circuit is more similar to that of Malaysia than to the Australian track. If we can find a base of adjustments on these three tracks, I think our season will go in the right direction. »
