It’s a Dani Pedrosa a little reassured who left the Sepang track after three days of testing battling with his Honda. A motorcycle with a new engine which does not yet fit with the unique electronics, a rejection also noted by Marc Márquez the teammate. But thanks to the soft tires, the HRC duo kept up appearances. Which will not prevent a meeting with Japanese engineers. An exchange requested by the one who will be coached this year by Sete Gibernau.
Between Dani Pedrosa et Jorge Lorenzo, there was, at Sepang, a parallel trajectory. First a lousy Monday with the unpleasant surprise of a reluctant new motorcycle, then a slight improvement before the reassuring final day. Which, however, leaves questions unanswered. Questions that will be raised in Japan.
The question of the new engine is raised. Marc Marquez, in his analysis, explained it as follows: choosing between a new mechanic where everything still remains to be done but with a certain margin for progress in the season, or playing it safe with the old mechanic already at the end of its development.
On the subject, Dani Pedrosa confronts Japanese engineers with their responsibilities: “ we are going to have a meeting with Honda after they analyze our data. They're going to give us the equipment for the whole season so they need to know exactly what they have to do in the time they have left ».
He pursues : " we have certain difficulties. They need to analyze it and go back to Japan to solve our problem with the electronics. We were able to make progress over the last three days, but we were not able to find all the solutions. We will analyze the three days of testing and see what they will be able to bring us for the next tests, what they can change, what parts they can build ».
To listen to him, it will be a titanic task, but commensurate with a leading world manufacturer which is not in its first situation of this kind. Already last year… And in terms of time, it was much worse. Because there are still positives: “ These tests were still positive because we came a long way. We were able to find certain solutions and make progress. Between our start and our final, we have clearly improved and that is positive ».
Within his box too, things fell into place: “ there are quite a few new faces and these tests have made it possible to create mechanisms. I notice that we work faster on the bike and that is positive ". And in this team, there is now a Gibernau who observes from the edge of the track: “ it ensures a better connection between the driver and the engineers responsible for the data by comparing in particular with other drivers on the circuit ».
The next meeting is now set for February 15 at Phillip Island: “ I don't yet know what equipment we will have there, what engine will be chosen. We need to discuss it with Honda ". A meeting which promises to be decidedly essential.
