Bautista back on track in private Honda test to focus on suspension updates

Honda began a three-day test at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia today with typically mixed weather making for less than ideal conditions.

Team Go & Fun Honda Gresini rider Alvaro Bautista managed 24 laps in the dry before lunch and 15 in the wet during the afternoon. With 33°C temperatures and 65% humidity the Spaniard stopped the clock at 2’02.19, which compares to his qualifying time at the recent Malaysian Grand Prix of 2’ 01.64.

Despite the mixed conditions the opening day has already provided a valuable opportunity to try a series of suspension updates brought by Showa, which will form the basis of the next two days of the test.

Alvaro Bautista: “This morning we had to wait in the box more than two hours, because the track still had some wet patches and we preferred to wait until the track was completely dry. This morning the track was not perfect for grip, but to compare the new front fork that Showa brought us it was enough. I tested the new suspension, new front suspension, and we also tested different settings. We didn’t really find what we expected, but we found something good, just not what expected.

In the afternoon we could test in the wet and I remembered the last race here in the wet. I remembered that I had a problem in the braking area and today we tried to improve. It was not enough, as we still have that problem, so for sure it has not been the perfect test for us. But we have two days more to improve the Showa suspension and they have more material to give me and to try and improve our problem.

“For us this test is important, because it’s the last chance Showa have to give us good material and something that works. We will try to do our best and find a good solution. After this test we will decide which suspension we will have next year. We have a good reference with Showa and we will see what happens.”

Sources: Gresini Racing, motogp.com