Qatar MotoGP Test: Lorenzo satisfied with ‘big improvement’

Qatar MotoGP Test: Lorenzo satisfied with ‘big improvement’

Jorge Lorenzo was “pleased” with the final day of testing in Qatar, and pointed toward “a big improvement” in his riding and the set-up of Ducati's GP17 as reason for cheer.

The Majorcan ended the test fourth fastest, his best time clocking in 0.189s slower than pace setter Maverick Viñales. Still, he said, working on his pace and consistency was imperative.
The Ducati man had intended to complete a race simulation at the end of the day too, but found a tyre he was using wasn't to his liking.
“Yes, I'm pleased because I could see that when I feel good with the bike,” he said. “I can be very fast. And I still haven't found the limit of this bike for one lap.

“But the most important thing is the race, obviously, and for the moment we still have a lot of work to do on the Friday and Saturday before the race to improve the pace a little bit.
“But a big improvement compared to yesterday. Especially with the soft tires, they gave us a lot of benefit. But also I believe that we can be competitive with the hard tyres, and this is the objective and the goal for the weekend.

“[Danilo] Petrucci did a good simulation with the hard rear tyre, so that means the bike can also work with this tire.
“Especially the tyre has been crucial for the big improvement. But also more hours understanding the bike, and better riding, I guess.

“We need to work a little bit more on the consistency to understand more why we couldn't keep in the 1'54s for more time. But we will improve something for the weekend, I'm sure.”

On whether he still found the bike to be overly demanding to ride, Lorenzo answered, “The bike has its character, it's powerful and it's nervous. And it's difficult, it's demanding physically.

“But today I felt with some modifications, it's less demanding, so I'm adapting, and also the body is adapting to what the bike demands, so little by little it will be easier.”

Lorenzo also said this positive test had not altered his long-term goals with Ducati, as racing will be the only means of truly understanding just how competitive he is.
“No, for longer term we have work to do, other work to do. But in the tracks that suit the Ducati well, we can be competitive. At least for one lap.

“We know now that for one lap, we are very competitive. Let's see, but only the races and experience will tell us what we have to do to be a little bit more competitive on the pace.”

Lorenzo also got to do a few laps with the radical new Ducati fairing, first used by Dovizioso on the previous night.
And can Lorenzo win on his Ducati debut here in two weeks time?

"Anything is possible."