New Honda engine gets thumbs up, Ducati delay

MotoGP News
Date: 17/July/2012

Monday’s MotoGP test session at the Mugello circuit saw the debut of a new bike from Honda and confirmation that Valentino Rossi will need to wait several more races for major Ducati upgrades.

The new Honda was handed to official riders Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa in an effort to try and cure their vibration problems with this year’s Bridgestone tyres. 

Reigning champion Stoner, who has dropped 37 points from Yamaha’s title leader Jorge Lorenzo, didn’t like the chassis - but wants the engine as soon as possible.

Stoner said: “With the engine we found some improvements, a little smoother and some more power. As far as chassis goes I didn't find any real benefits, we tried many different things but couldn't get a better feeling.

“If we can have the new engine with the current chassis, it's the best combination, but we're not sure if we can have it in time for Laguna Seca.”

Pedrosa has now moved ahead of Stoner for second place in the championship. The Spaniard was more positive about the new chassis.

Pedrosa said: “I'm happy because we found some positives with the new engine and also with the new chassis that can help us in the second part of the season.

“Honda is working very hard and I'm sure they will do their best to be able to supply us the new parts for Laguna and the following races.

“The engine is better into the corner, the engine brake is smoother and the bike is not so sharp when you close the throttle, so this helps you to get into the corner.”

Lorenzo was again fastest at the test, with Pedrosa second (+0.114s) and Stoner third (+0.116s).

Over at Ducati, Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden had various updates to try - but the developments fell well short of the long-awaited new, smoother, engine.

Instead Rossi’s main focus was on the engine management system, an ‘intermediate step’, but the new ECU cut out and caused Rossi to crash, ending his test after just 23 laps.

The seven time MotoGP Champion, who is still chasing his first Ducati victory after one and a half seasons at the team, said:

“They had some things to try today, but it was mainly with an eye toward the future, as the substantial changes they’re working on at Ducati for the engine’s power delivery weren’t ready yet.

“So this was an intermediate step, an interim engine management system through a new ECU.

“We started testing it this morning, and the first feelings were good, as I immediately did a good time with a used tyre. However, when I started again after the break, the bike stalled at the Correntaio and I fell.

“In the interest of safety, we decided to stop because the engineers have to analyse the data to understand what happened.”

Ducati Technical Director Filippo Preziosi said that further updates will be available for the Misano test, in September, meaning the new engine may only be raced in the closing rounds of this season.

Round ten of the 2012 MotoGP Championship takes place at Laguna Seca, America at the end of this month.