Maverick Viñales’ debut in Qatar proved rather underwhelming and the struggle to adapt to his Aprilia RS-GP continues this weekend in Indonesia. By the end of Friday, he had set the thirteenth time, seven tenths from the front. Aprilia Race Manager, Paolo Bonora, outlines some of the difficulties.

Viñales’ difficulties with the Aprilia

Talking to Sky Sport, the Italian comments: “As soon as he needs to push harder, and force the braking, he runs wide, so he’d like to be able to turn the bike more, but he’s having a little trouble mid-turn because his style is different to Aleix’s”. The problem becomes more critical at a specific moment: “When he puts in a fresh tyre, it’s even worse, he struggles to turn and finds himself on a less than ideal line when it’s time to open the throttle”.

The Aprilia goals are clear

Having analysed the situation, Bonora adds: “We need to try and exploit the rear tyre as much as possible so as to maximum acceleration and gain out of the turns". The aim is clear in their minds: "We want to focus on acceleration out of the turns, but without forgetting that good corner entry and corner speed allows us to do well particularly in qualifying. Not so much in the race, as the management is different".

There are many differences between the two phases and Bonora outlines what’s required in each: "In qualifying, we focus on finding good corner speeds to set the time through the turns. In the race, also with many riders ahead who break the lines, we need to prioritise braking and rapid restarts. We need to be able to adapt to the two situations”. And this is why they need to continue to work hard, together. Unity is strength.

Translated by Heather Watson

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