After completing a few laps of the Buriram circuit on a scooter, where three days of testing begin this Friday, Pedrosa had a fairly clear idea: “ My first impression, in addition to a really high temperature, is that the Buriram track is quite narrow and short, which means that it will be a little more important to take the right line and choose your gears carefully. speeds. »
The discovery came without much surprise for Dani, who had already noticed moderate interest in the circuit on the images of the Superbike World Championship. Designed by German specialist architect Hermann Tilke, the Buriram International Circuit is located approximately 400 km from the capital Bangkok.
“Of course we will only really understand this new track when we ride our bike, but for starters you can get some good ideas by looking at who has been here before us, like the Superbike guys, Dani explains. Gearbox setup is one of the most important things when starting out on a new track. The lines are more intuitive, easier to understand once you start riding, but you have to enter the corners in the right gear, at the right speed. In the end, you just need to get on the bike and go through the learning process! »
After these general considerations, Pedrosa went into detail with Speedweek.
“I did a few laps today, looked closely at the asphalt and tried to memorize the different types of corners. Basically the first feeling is: The track is not very long, there are two long straights. In a way, this track consists of two parts. The first part is quite fast, while the second part is quite winding. But before riding MotoGP bikes, grip and other details cannot be judged honestly.
“I think on the morning of the first day we will have to clean the track with the motorcycles first. In the morning, the track will not be in the best conditions. Next we will have to find which tires are suitable here. I suspect the handling will improve every day. The configuration will also improve every day. By the third day at the latest, we will know whether the Honda fits this track well or not. »
“This 19th race means we can score even more points in 2018. The season is getting longer and longer. The more competition you have, the more balanced the World Championship is. You have to stay focused and score from the first race to the last, from mid-March to mid-November, which can be stressful. »
“In Thailand it is very hot, but a little drier than in Sepang, where the humidity was higher. It is extremely hot at midday, this is an important factor to take into account. »
If you wish to familiarize yourself with the layout of the Buriram circuit, the organizer Dorna offers you to watch the free first WSBK round of 2015. This is one of the videos that GP riders and teams watched, while technicians from the brands involved in MotoGP and WSBK (Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and Aprilia) consulted the data recorded in Superbike.
Tests take place from Friday to Sunday, from 3:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. French time.
Photos and source: Repsol Media, Honda Racing Corporation, speedweek
