Stefan Bradl is normally done with his role as replacement for Marc Marquez in the Repsol Honda box. A difficult posture that the German still assumed for eight Grands Prix. And it was only during the last one, at Misano, that he saved the honor by scoring the two points for fourteenth place. And otherwise ? Don’t expect any tongue-in-cheek from the former Moto2 World Champion…
It is with some relief that Stefan Bradl returned the handlebars of the RC213V to its owner Marc Marquez at this weekend's Aragon Grand Prix. In addition to his wild card, the German completed eight meetings under the Repsol colors. A challenge when we know that the factory Honda has never had a worse campaign in terms of results and technical level on the bike since his return to Grand Prix in 1982.
Before leaving the scene and refocusing on his task as test pilot, Stefan bradl made a clear and precise assessment of this period experienced: “ we just didn't have any new material. I always gave feedback to the engineers on our bike during races. But then, no new parts or updates have arrived on the circuit ", said Bradl on speedweek. " I'm a test rider and usually get my satisfaction from testing new parts, what other Honda riders also call progress. But this year, nothing has come from Japan since the opening of the season which has brought us a lot forward ».
Stefan Bradl: “ I think the worst time is behind us »
Stefan bradl therefore does not spare his employer whom he does not congratulate more on the subject widely debated internally which is that of communication between engineers Honda in Japan and the team on the circuit. “ We have discussed this topic often with HRC over the past few weeks and months “, he says. " Something will change in the field of communication. Marc has already had meetings with the Japanese at the Austrian GP. I'm sure his message got through. Of course, the pandemic has made things more difficult for the Japanese. We must now adapt to the post-Covid19 era. I think the Japanese also need to rethink everything ».
He ends with this imperative: “ we must now press the reset button and do everything to make the right decisions for 2023 », insists Stefan Bradl. " In 2022, there is not much we can do anymore. We can only collect data for next year's motorcycle ". He nevertheless concludes on this good note: “I think the worst time is behind us ».
