Misfiring SRT regroup for Doha
a nightmarish start to the MotoGP season, Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team’s (SRT) Franco Morbidelli expects another challenging weekend at the Doha Motorcycle Grand Prix which starts tomorrow.
The Italian struggled with a mechanical issue on the starting grid at the Qatar GP last week and eventually finished 18th, a disappointing result for a man who finished second in the world championships last year.
An upset Mobidelli, the only Yamaha rider using an older 2019 spec machine this year, questioned the Iwata manufacturer's priorities after the Qatar GP.
The 26-year-old did not disclose the exact issues he was facing with his YZR-M1 but made it clear that he is hoping to find some answers before the second race of the year starts at the Losail International Circuit.
“It’s going to be a tricky weekend. We saw after the pre-season test and after the race that something is not right with our package,” said Morbidelli.
“There were moments in the day that it worked well, we had good speed in the afternoon before it got dark.
“We need to analyse the data from over the weekend (last race) to try to understand why.”
Morbidelli’s teammate and mentor Valentino Rossi, who finished 12th after struggling with rear end grip issues last week, was slightly more optimistic.
“We still have positives to take with us to the next round because fourth in qualifying (Qatar GP) was a great result,” said Rossi.
“It was my fastest ever lap at the circuit, and I was very happy with this.
“We will comprehensively analyse the data during these days before free practice starts and try to fix the problems, try to improve the feeling and hopefully this weekend we will have a better result.”
Rossi, who moved from the Monster Energy Yamaha factory team to SRT this year, is equipped with the latest factory spec machine.