Scott Redding therefore made his debut in WSBK, a new category that he discovered in his career after 125, Moto2, MotoGP then BSB which relaunched him on the international scene with an official Ducati contract. Here he is now in Superbike and this new peloton, he rubbed shoulders with it on the selective Phillip Island track for a first fight. Overall, three podiums and a second place in the general classification before doing it again. But what the Englishman remembered were the morals of the peloton on the track…
Scott Redding arrived in WSBK with the leather of an official Ducati and the desire to conquer the world from the start. For that, he will have to defeat the leader Jonathan Rhea well armed with his Kawasaki, but not only. HAS Phillip Island, the teammate of Chaz Davies realized that at least three or four opponents also had great qualities to make it happen!
But the Englishman also discovered that they did not let themselves be counted out once in the fray: “ I didn't know how aggressive the drivers were “, admitted the Briton. “ They're not afraid, they don't think about it that much. Open the door a little and there is someone. » In Australia, he had to face a alex lowes aggressive. “ His maneuver was quite difficult, he was very aggressive. I have to understand that this is the way to drive. I was calm in this situation. »
In the BSB championship he could count on years of experience in MotoGP. In the Superbike World Championship he will have to compete with riders who have nothing to learn, but something to teach. Especially in the management of Pirelli tires, a decisive factor in aiming for the top step of the podium. “ They are very intelligent during the race. Here I'm up against guys with my own experience and drivers like Johnny who have won many championships. I try to learn from them about tires and racing. There have been so many overtakes and battles with people saving tires and I need to collect this information. I did pretty well, but in the last race I couldn't move when I wanted to attack the Kawasaki. »
The power of Ducati is no longer enough, we saw it in the Phillip Island straight: the Panigale V4 R does not make the difference with its top speed. To get the most out of a WorldSBK, you also need intelligence and a racing strategy: “ the way Toprak overtakes leaves no room for mistakes, you have to accept that it happens, otherwise there will be contact and you will lose time with the guys in front. You have to drive smart. It was exciting for us and for everyone who watches television ", concluded Scott Redding. This is called having an open competitive spirit!
