SRT BOSS HAPPY WITH SEPANG TEST
Zeelenberg says team's overall performance exceeded his expectations
PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team (SRT) have hit the ground running in MotoGP this year as far as testing is concerned. Despite suffering an early crash on the second day, rising star Franco Morbidelli did well to clock a one minute 59.141-second lap for a commendable eighth on the final day of the official Sepang test on Friday.
Rookie teammate Fabio Quartararo (France) was 0.356s behind the Italian for 16th.
SRT team manager Wilco Zeelenberg, who joined the new Malaysian outfit from Movistar Yamaha, said his team's overall performance exceeded his expectations.
"We had a positive test here at our circuit. We have learned some interesting things about our bikes. As for the riders, we are happy with Fabio’s progress.
"With Morbidelli, we would have liked him to finish a little higher but considering the setback we had over the test, to set a 1:59.1s was quite incredible.
"Lap time aside, the way he is riding and what we are learning about the new (Yamaha) YZR-M1 thanks to his feedback is another big positive. The next objective for the Qatar test will be to build on what we have done here."
Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah, who is still getting to grips with his new KTM RC16, also showed improvement over the five days of testing.
His team, Red Bull KTM Tech3 had also participated in the private test last week.
The Ampang-born ended the official test with a best lap of 2:00.766s for 21st overall.
"During the last day, I felt really good with the bike, but my physical condition was not ideal. After four full days of riding, the muscles in my arms were too hard and I was lacking some power," said Hafizh.
"To be honest, I am a bit disappointed as the bike was great for this last day and I couldn’t fully use it."
The final test of the season will be held at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar on Feb 23-25.