Qatar Grand Prix MotoGP J3: Hervé Poncharal, between disappointment and pride!

Since the start of winter testing, the atmosphere has been contrasted between the two halves of the Red Bull KTM Tech3 box.

On the one hand, Hafiz Syahrin is having great difficulty feeling comfortable on the KTM RC16. His results logically reflect this and it is clear that the friendly Malaysian driver barely got away from a long-distance fight with Bradley Smith for last position. Yesterday, it was even 20 seconds behind the penultimate that El Pescao finished his first Grand Prix on the Austrian machine. The situation is therefore difficult for those from whom we expect something to click as quickly as possible.

At the opposite, Miguel Oliveira never ceases to impress its technicians. The rookie progressed from session to session and completed a fantastic first lap after starting from last position at the Qatar Grand Prix, following his machine stalling on the starting grid. Fifteenth at the end of the first loop after overtaking big names like Jorge Lorenzo, Johann Zarco and Andrea Iannone, the Portuguese rider even allowed himself the luxury of reaching 13th place after overtaking KTM leader Pol Espargaró . Unfortunately, his rear tire didn't really like this treatment, and it was in a much more frustrating 17th position, 16 seconds behind the winner, that number 88 crossed the finish line. The disappointment is therefore understandable but, apparently, the basics are there and, logically, it is only a postponement...

Hervé Poncharal : “An incredible race for Miguel, who is in his first MotoGP race with the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team! He stalled the bike on the starting grid like Fabio Quatararo, but fortunately he managed to restart and started last. Despite this handicap, he was 15th after the first lap and we saw him move up to P13 with guys like Jorge Lorenzo and the two factory KTMs behind. We then started to dream because the objective was a point, and three or four laps from the finish, we were in line with this objective. The last seven or eight laps were very difficult, because the rear tire was completely finished and he lost quite a few places to finish outside the points, but I think we have to keep the positives from the whole weekend. He did a great job throughout the winter testing, he was constantly with the KTM factory riders who have a lot of experience in the MotoGP category, and several times in front. So we are very proud of what Miguel has done and we are happy to give this kind of feedback to KTM to progress and improve. Everything is very, very positive, except the fact that we missed a point, but more importantly the gap to the top is very small, which is the most important thing. Of course, we need some rest, but we can't wait to be in Argentina to see how we perform there. Starting a year like this with the project we have is very encouraging. On the other side of the box, I can't hide my disappointment, because Hafizh has never been in a good rhythm. We finished last because the guys behind us either crashed or dropped out of the race. So it's not enough. We are here to help and not to shoot anyone, but I think Hafizh needs to change something, because we cannot have such a gap between our two drivers. Hopefully he will find interesting things for Argentina. Thanks to Red Bull, to KTM, but especially to the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team, who worked very hard.”

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