MotoGP News
Date: 13/October/2012
Brakes could prove a crucial factor in Sunday’s Japanese MotoGP race, with two of the front row qualifiers noticing overheating issues already this weekend.
The stop and go nature of the Motegi circuit, combined with this year’s heavier 1000cc machines, is pushing the carbon brakes beyond their optimum temperature.
There is no danger of a brake failure, but the excessive heat results in a reduction in braking performance, which will only get worse as the race goes on.
Yamaha riders Jorge Lorenzo, Ben Spies, Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso, plus factory Ducati riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden have all suffered some degree of braking reduction.
However World Championship leader and Motegi pole sitter Lorenzo’s smooth riding style means he has been the least affected of the M1 riders.
“Yes, we’ve been chatting about this,” said Lorenzo. “Cal has more problems than me, because he brakes harder. I had a little problem in the morning, where the braking performance was coming down, but not too much.”
Crutchlow, whose discs were seen glowing during practice, confirmed: “Yeah we have big problems. Not just me. Also Andrea, Ben, Vale and Nicky. Apparently they are the same.
“It seems that if you are braking hard the temperature is getting too high and then the brakes are not working too well. We’ll have to see for the race tomorrow.”
Crutchlow will start third on the grid, with Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa splitting the two Yamaha riders on the front row. Pedrosa is one of the few manufacturer riders not to be troubled by the overheating
“No problem,” Pedrosa declared. “The mechanics didn’t say anything to me. So I should be fine.”
“If Dani has no problems, maybe we will go and steal his brakes tonight!” quipped Crutchlow.
Lorenzo will start Sunday’s grand prix, round 15 of 18, with a 33-point advantage over Pedrosa.
No comments:
Post a Comment