First of all, how does Didier, track technician at Suter, explain the extraordinary progress of Andrea Dovizioso (current leader of the World Championship) this year?
“I think it's a combination of several factors: the first is Dovizioso's racing knowledge (how many years of competing at the highest level in almost every category?). There is also Dovi's great experience with the Ducati, his great involvement in the development of this bike, the fact that Dovi is a hardworking, intelligent and diligent rider, requiring several seasons before really revealing himself for this type of rider. unlike others who are more instinctive and gifted but nevertheless intelligent, like Zarco or Marquez.
What do you think of the excellent results of the Ducati Desmosedici, capable of winning on very different circuits? Gigi Dall'Igna is he a magician?
“There too several factors: the relentlessness, the will and the means to win of Ducati Corse, an almost perfect casting (drivers, engineers), undeniable know-how combined with the creativity and reactivity of the Italians. »
“Gigi is a very good engineer and also a very good leader of men. Presumably he knows how to bring together what was previously lacking a little at Ducati.
“As for superlatives: magician, genius, sorcerer, druid, I think that doesn't really exist in our profession. I prefer to use the following terms: engineer, inventor, ingenious, experienced, etc. I know this is less of a dream, but in my humble opinion it is nevertheless the reality in this high-tech environment. »
The results of the official team Yamahas are up and down, sometimes very good, sometimes a little less. How would you explain it?
“There, without being in the secrets, from my point of view, I think there was a bit of mix-up and confusion. Due to the arrival of Vinales who almost crushed all competition, from his first laps on this Yamaha.
This had the effect of making the engineers and perhaps the people on his team believe that the bike was very competitive. If I remember correctly during this time his teammate Rossi did not have the same feeling.
“From there, when the results in Vinales became less good, we had to face the facts that some people had probably gone astray.
I can imagine, thanks to my great experience of racing and life, in a case like this, ego problems. Pilots, engineers, chief mechanics, etc. certainly did not help with responsiveness. As we have seen, it took a few test sessions to compare, sort and select the right technical choices. Let's wait a few races to see if they've really pinpointed the problems. Don't worry, this happens more often than you think and in other teams too. Of course this is just a guess on my part, I have no proof. »
Everything was going well for Marc Marquez (second in the Championship, 9 points behind Dovi) until his engine broke down. Is this a source of concern for the races to come, or an incident with no future?
“As long as those responsible for the HRC have not formally identified the origin of this engine failure, there will necessarily be consequences that may be small, but we will have difficulty knowing precisely. Let me explain, the first reason is that there is no obligation to explain the origin of this engine failure. Let's not forget that this is a championship where the biggest motorcycle manufacturers, through their involvement in GPs, try to demonstrate their know-how. So far it's a failure!
“To know the HRC house, everything and absolutely everything will be done to ensure that this does not happen again, I am absolutely certain. But, to get to the end of this story, I can tell you that if the engine is very damaged internally, identifying the origin of the breakage is all the more complex, especially since the problem is It's not chronic: first time this year, with a new engine and further development frozen by the regulations. Maybe they have already found the cause and, let's hope for the end of the championship that it will not have any consequences.
“Last little clarification, I doubt that the HRC will tell us everything about this accident because there is also a part of fraud or lying poker! »
Congratulations to you and Suter for the best time of Dominique Aegerter in FP1 Moto2 at Silverstone, ahead of the 31 other riders in the field. I suppose it feels good and gives you confidence?
“Yes of course this reassures us about the technical choices we made this season but, unfortunately it was only for FP1. This proves to us that we are not far away but we still have work to do to be able to have a whole weekend ahead. Every little detail really has a lot of importance in Moto 2, because the quantity of parameters on which we can act is the smallest of the three GP categories. I assure you we are not giving up! »
Title photo: After the Silverstone GP (© Ducati)
Above: Dominique Aegerter on the Suter (© Kiefer Racing)
