Alvaro Bautista keeps the latest behind the scenes news from the WSBK round underway this weekend in Assen. Indeed, rumor sees him as one of the players in the transfer market with a resounding return to Ducati which would mean an equally resounding break with Honda. The Spaniard commented on these speculations, a move which also allows him to emphasize the recurring problems he encounters with his CBR triple R.
Concerning Baptist, we will recall that his manager is none other than a Battistella who also deals with the case of Dovizioso. Which means that each option is carefully weighed before a decision is made which is never quick. However, this also means that there are discussions, and as for the Spaniard, there is talk of a reunion with a factory Ducati who brought him to WSBK in 2019 at the same time as his Panigale V4R. A debut which impressed with a series of victories which seemed to fold the championship. But we know the rest…
Baptist then left to try the adventure Honda, technically more random but financially much more interesting. The Spaniard undoubtedly imagined that the transition to the new CBR triple R would be easier, but it is quite the opposite that the former Grand Prix driver is experiencing. Not only is the bike not fast enough, but also electronic problems affect confidence by causing falls. Moreover, Baptist was injured in training during the offseason, an event which revealed minimal communication between the pilot and his employer.
On his complicated situation, Baptist don't hide anything: we still have a lot of work ahead of us, among other things, we take care of the electronics as far as throttle response », he specifies on speedweek. " We have progressed from previous races and now we need to start looking at power development at higher revs. Sometimes, I feel like the bike is slipping out of my hands, precisely because the power can't be controlled. The motor does not deliver its power in a linear manner, this must be compensated for with the electronics. Mechanically, we could also improve things depending on what we have the right to touch within the framework of the regulations ».
Bautista: “I’m working to have a winning bike”
Certainly, but this rumor about Ducati ? Bautista has a two-year contract with Honda which expires at the end of this season. “ I'm already talking to HRC. I put a lot of work into this project and we are constantly trying to improve Bautista said diplomatically. “ What I'm thinking about at the moment is to progress further, to go faster, to have better sensations with the bike and to become competitive like I was two years ago. I don't think too much about the future ».
« Battistella has already started talking to Honda and we are negotiating the renewal » he adds. “ During these two years I have done a great job with Honda, collecting many references and for the moment my mind has been focused exclusively on this project to be the fastest ". He finishes : " It's normal that there are these rumors, I've heard them too. At this time of the season it is a logical thing that we are talking about driver transfers from one team to another. My goal is to work towards having a winning bike ". What the Honda is not yet.
