We thought the case was resolved but the problem came back to the surface at KTM. What ? The level of a Bradley Smith whose official position was saved at the last minute at the end of last season, thanks to the last decent Grands Prix. But the start of the 2018 financial year once again shows a timid Englishman with unsatisfactory performances. This time, the Mattighofen firm will not wait a season for the teammate Pol Espargaro wakes up. Qatar's performance was a wild card played. And it’s team manager Mike Leitner who announces it on speedweek...
A warning without cost therefore, and all the more so because it is argued. The Austrian develops as follows: “ we saw Bradley driving between eleventh and thirteenth place during the first laps at Losail, but the problem is that he should have been at this level from the start of the Qatar meeting. We could then have found other settings and the result would perhaps have been different. This is what top drivers like Marquez do. They always drive hard. This is what allows the motorcycle to evolve ».
« But Bradley has another approach. He drives a lot with worn tires for the race. He exaggerates this aspect. He also has to fit new tires during the sessions. MotoGP has evolved over the last two years. You now have to be at most for three sessions to get Q.2. Bradley needs to take this on board for good. The team must certainly progress, but it must also evolve ».
« At KTM we are the first to admit that we don't have the best bike to play up front. But it would also be a lot better if Bradley did his part too ". An indictment which, however, does not yet give the final sentence: “ It is not with the Qatar Grand Prix alone that we can predict the rest of Bradley's season. Now we will see how the rest will unfold. ". And it will be this weekend in Argentina...
