It was a Joan Mir who was both disappointed and a little angry who took stock of his qualifications for a Catalan Grand Prix where he saw himself looking less good than last year. And in fact, he lost two positions on the starting grid compared to his previous visit to the Montmelo track, while giving a little more than half a second to poleman Fabio Quartararo, of whom he was runner-up in race last season. But for this edition near Barcelona, the reigning World Champion admits his concern by formulating a criticism aimed at Suzuki…
THE HOUSE Suzuki remains solid but still falters on its foundations. The course of this season shows that she is struggling to stay in the title race. alex rins, with his repeated falls and now his bicycle accident from which he recovered with a fracture, does not help. But on his side, Joan mir barely, while being at the top of his game. So, it is from the motorcycle side that we must look and reflect on what has been done. Or not…
In any case, the reigning World Champion was critical at the time of the assessment this Saturday in Catalonia : " I think we will race again less and more “, he declared as if resigned. “ We have to keep improving, because that's not the way to win races ". This is what is said. And which needs to be clarified. What the Majorcan does: “ like that, I will be able to be on the podium if I am good in the race, if I am able to manage the tire well and do super good laps as always. But the truth is we have to keep improving and pushing because the competitiveness this year is really high. Many manufacturers have improved and we have not progressed."
Mir: “I have the same bike as last year”
« Our bike is really good, we have a good base, but I have the same bike as last year " revealed Joan mir. " What that means is I was two tenths faster than last year in qualifying and I was eighth last year. This year I'm two tenths faster and I'm 10th, so we're not improving ". An analysis which does not take into account the change of turn n°10, which necessarily influences the time.
More Joan mir obviously wants to send a message: “ we have to push a little more to have more material and test more things to improve, because clearly this year a lot of people have improved and we have a good package but we have not progressed ».
Mir admits that this current lack of progress on the part of Suzuki makes " a little worried“, adding: “ I want to defend the title and I think Suzuki wants that too. But I think we can push a little more, honestly, to bring more things because the team works really well ". He finishes : " but it's not enough, the others perhaps work harder. We all have to work harder if we want to defend the crown ».
MotoGP Catalonia Barcelona J2: qualifying
Credit classification motogp.com
