Takaaki Nakagami will undoubtedly be one of the most enthusiastic MotoGP riders to return to the Jerez track this weekend. And for good reason: during the offseason tests, he dominated the tests, somewhat to everyone's surprise. Since then, three Grands Prix have passed and the asphalt has been redone. However, good memories remain, which always strengthens confidence...
Nakagami had left Jerez in November as a conqueror. Best time in the field with his Honda version 2018, he had marked a territory which he returned to this weekend to compete in a Spanish Grand Prix which is the fourth meeting of the season. However, since then, the route has had new bitumen added.
An essential element that the Japanese readily recognize: “ let's say 80% of the track is the new asphalt, so that means it's going to change the feel of the bike. There will be fewer bumps and I hear the new tarmac has more grip, but it also makes your life less easy." said Nakagami.
« This is why Michelin brought four different tires, front and rear. It will be a busy weekend, but it looks like the weather will be pretty stable. So maybe we'll have to forget the front soft, especially for the Honda, and maybe we'll have to use the hard one. The same goes for the rear for safety. Or will we have to concentrate only on the soft and medium tires, which are similar to those from November. The conditions have changed a lot, the temperature and the tarmac”.
Nakagami will start its meeting with one machine in the November test configuration and the other with a configuration more in line with the start of this season. “ A motorcycle dates from November. We will keep exactly the same settings because the lap time was quite good. Then we will modify the second machine a little, like a mixture of settings with those of Argentina and Austin. We will see what will offer the best feeling on the new tarmac. It's the first thing to do. Because we can't plan".
Only driver to use the 2018 Honda, Nakagami doesn't benefit from the more powerful engine of the 213 RC2019V, but it remains strong on the brakes: “ I can't say anything because I never tested the 2019 version. But in all races, I compare with the data of Cal, Marc and Jorge... It seems that the chassis side is not really different, but from my side, the strongest point is braking at the limit.
“But this track doesn’t require such hard braking. There are only two override points on the brakes. This means we need to focus on this area. Of course there are high speed corners, it's a mix. But we are confident”.
And that confidence began last November, when Nakagami finished his rookie year with a sixth place in the rain of Valencia, before taking charge of the 213 RC2018V. Last season, my first year was obviously not easy. Our goal was always to be in the top 10, but unfortunately we only did that in the last race in Valencia. But since then, we've been pretty consistent in the top 10, top 6-7. This means more motivation and more confidence on the bike. My feelings are much better than last year " said Nakagami, currently seventh in the world championship, with his best race result, a seventh place in Argentina.
« Everything works well: The team, the bike, me. I feel like if we do our best we can fight in the top group. Last year I didn't have that feeling. I couldn't imagine fighting for the top. But now, especially on this track, a small track with little difference from the maximum speed, this represents a great opportunity. It will be a good opportunity to fight up front.”.
