Pol Espargaró left Sepang, and the three days of testing that MotoGP had organized there, with the great personal satisfaction of showing up on the timesheet as the first of the four riders of what must now be called the Pierer group Mobility. The Spaniard thus marked his return to the Austrians in the best possible way. Certainly, but this performance also meant a 13th place. We are therefore still far from the mark. However, the Spaniard who is rebuilding after two terrible years spent at Honda, assures that the next stage in Portimao will be even better...
Pol Espargaro also put red GASGAS Tech3 in front of the orange of the Red Bull KTM team and that counts for internal emulation… “ I feel like we did our homework well, not only on the fast lap but also on the pace » commented the pilot of 31 years. “ We certainly could have been higher in the standings, but we did the right things when it came to doing them, we are quite happy and we will prove it in Portimao ».
On the work accomplished in Malaysia, he specifies: “ about aerodynamics and engine performance, I think the right place to try these things was here in Malaysia and not over there in Portugal. Obviously, if a manufacturer has problems, the work will continue during the next tests, but everything should have been decided here ».
Pol Espargaro: “we're not at the top of the time list, but we can be"
On the ranking outside the top 10 of the RC16, he puts things into perspective: “ we're not at the top of the time list, but we can be. The important thing is that things were done well and the tests were positive. We are ready for Portimao ».
An enthusiasm that makes him define his ambitions for this 2023 season: “ we must aim for the top 5. I don't know what to expect. All the manufacturers will be very strong, but the Pierer Mobility group and I also feel strong enough to fight for something good ». Most Pol Espargaro do not forget the lessons of the past either, and even less when they are recent: “ last year I was one of the fastest here in Malaysia. In terms of pace, I was the fastest. In Mandalika, I was also the fastest in terms of time and pace. And then, look at my disastrous year! ».
Approaching Portimao, Pol Espargaro therefore added: “ you need to perform well on competition weekends, not at practice. That's why I want to go to Portimao, finish improving the little parameters that we are missing on the bike and start riding ". See you on March 11 and 12 in the Algarve, before the big start of the campaign with the Portuguese Grand Prix on March 26.
Ranking of MotoGP Test results at Sepang J3:
Combined ranking of the MotoGP Test at Sepang J1/J2/J3:
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
