KTM is raising the level of its test team this year by adding Dani Pedrosa, 125 cc World Champion in 3, then double 2003 cc Champion in 250 and 3, before spending 2004 consecutive seasons with the Repsol Honda Team in MotoGP.
With Honda, Pedrosa finished vice-World Champion in MotoGP three times, third three times and fourth four times. Pete Beirer, Director of KTM Motorsport welcomed the arrival of the Spaniard as a MotoGP test rider at the end of 2018: “ We are extremely proud to have a driver like Dani Pedrosa in our ranks. Dani has so much experience…At first he wanted to stop completely. Then the desire to get involved in a project came. We did not put any particular pressure on him. But he knew we were interested in him. »
“We wanted it because we are convinced that it will be of great help to us for the rest of our program. He wants to get involved, he didn't want a simple marketing mission. He still has the sacred fire and he was looking for something. And we knew how to provide it. »
Dani Pedrosa, winner of 54 GPs, is taking part in his second year as a KTM test rider in 2020. Mike leitner, current Red Bull KTM team principal, was the Spaniard's team leader at HRC for eleven years.
“I didn’t really know Dani that well before,” remembers Pit Beirer. “When we signed the contract, we looked at each other in the eye. Mike Leitner showed great restraint. He certainly didn't want Dani Pedrosa to be pushed towards us because he knows him so well. Mike initiated the contact for me, but then we chose Dani of our own accord. »
The choice turned out to be wise: “Dani gave us the feeling from the start that he wanted to be involved in our project. He didn't need a marketing deal to be able to get some money and still be in the paddock. That wasn't the problem for him. He wanted to advance our MotoGP project. »
“But with a former top driver, you might find that he doesn't really want to do detailed, tedious detail work. Dani, on the other hand, really puts her feet into it,” confirms Beirer.
Hervé Poncharal also greatly appreciates the work as a test rider at KTM of Dani Pedrosa, now 34 years old. He highlighted the impressive work of Dani, KTM's best tester, after the first test of the year. “Dani was very fast during the shakedown, he is a huge and valuable help to KTM. »
During the shakedown at Sepang, the Spaniard also stopped at Miguel Oliveira and Iker Lecuona in the Tech3 KTM stand. “He also comes to see us at our stand, he talks to Miguel and Iker, he asks about their impressions and their needs,” revealed the Tech3 team owner.
“Dani may not have ridden on the third day, but he is crazy committed. Having an experienced guy like Dani as a developer is a huge bonus for KTM,” assures Poncharal. “I'm happy to see fast test riders in MotoGP. »
Photos © Sebas Romero for KTM, motogp.com / Dorna
Source: Speedweek. com
