QATAR
MOTOGP TEST REPORT
P76
For Rossi, this factor com-
bines with the electronics to
make for a difficult season,
which might favor his depth of
experience and ability to adapt
to changing circumstances.
When the tires start to go
down, he explained, the lack of
electronic sophistication gives
the rider a more complicated
task. For the first four or five
laps, "you don't feel the differ-
ence," he said. "But after [that],
you do. The races will become
more difficult for the riders. You
have to play more with the bike."
At this early stage, all this
seems to favor the Yamahas.
Rossi had already decided to
abandon the new 2016 chassis,
distinguished by a rear-mounted
fuel tank, in favor of a 2015/16
hybrid. At Qatar Lorenzo fol-
lowed suit. It meant they could
concentrate on preparing for the
many questions to be answered.
One concerns performance
over full race distance. A number
of race simulations were en-
couraging; but the heat of battle
might be different.
ing for the French manufactur-
ers after seven years away. But
there were a number of crashes
claiming big-name victims. Tire
development is inevitably at a
fairly early stage, and there are
"Ok Dovi, when I was kicking your butt, this is what I used to do."
Casey Stoner (right) is now helping an old nemesis.
Hector Barbera's speed in testing has
been a surprise – he's consistently the
fastest satellite Ducati rider.
