Oranges squeezed from KTM are also full of juice but the engine still has a little too much vitamin. A cocktail taken from pilot analyzes Pol Espargaro et Bradley Smith who especially insisted on calming the power of Austrian mechanics. A request that almost turned into a demand after the Phillip Island tests. For the next outing at Losail, the Mattighofen engineers will submit the fruit of their thinking.
It is promised, in Qatar, from Wednesday, the RC16 will be equipped with an engine evolution expected to be a leap forward in its MotoGP adventure. It will not be a change of architecture or philosophy. But indeed an evolution, made possible by a regulation granting the Austrian newcomer a capital of nine engines per year.
« We have news coming from the KTM factory which tells us of the arrival of something good for Losail, and which should help us progress significantly. So I'm happy " commented Pol Espargaro on crash.net. " It's something on the engine because at the moment the power management and its passage to the rear wheel is too aggressive. We need to calm down the bike which at the moment looks more like a wild horse. ».
On the subject the boss on the ground Mike Leitner clarified: “ this season will be one of development both at the engine level and at the chassis, suspension and all other levels. And development doesn't mean that you move forward every time. You have to stay calm and think with your head at rest. It's the way we do things in competition ". At Phillip Island, terrain that the KTM was discovering, the RC16 riders were at worst 1s behind the best performance. Which isn't so bad.
