Remy Gardner made his return to MotoGP last weekend as a wildcard for Yamaha, but the Japanese Grand Prix proved to be a difficult one for the Australian. With wet conditions at Motegi, Gardner faced a number of challenges. Beyond the weather, the biggest obstacle was adapting to the medium tyres, which forced him to qualify last and finish the race in last position, scoring no points.
Gardner described his impressions of the race and tire choices: “ I tried it on Friday and I felt pretty good, but not great. In the morning I tried it on the softs, and if I hadn't made a mistake on the descent I would have finished 15th. At the end of the race it was very tight, so I would have been better off on the softs. Maybe it was the best option. Otherwise it was a long GP, in which I would have liked to fight more, but It was a tough weekend for all Yamaha riders »
Comparing the engine Yamaha with that of KTM which he raced on last year, Gardner noted: " The Austrian was more linear although quite aggressive. I don't know if it's the electronics, but overall, it was easier for me to roll.
Remy Gardner: “ The electronics don't give good sensations when you accelerate »
Then he specifies: “ with this engine, it's more complicated, and Electronics is also a critical point. Overall, grip and handling have improved, but the electronics don't feel good when you accelerate. »
Gardner also addressed his near future in WorldSBK, explaining the challenges he faces: “ We have just had two difficult rounds and we need to find what we are missing. I'm ten seconds faster than in 2023, but that doesn't translate into results. We have to take a step forward. It would be nice to finish well in Jerez. »
Gardner revealed on motosan his plans for the winter break, explaining that he would undergo a back surgery in November : " I injured myself last year in Misano, during a backflip on a wakeboard. They gave me injections to manage the problem. It's nothing major, but it will take me a month to recover. »