Dovizioso planning evening of work to improve setting

With work to do on Friday evening at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit to improve the handling of his RC212V, in order to move up the timesheets on Saturday at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan, Andrea Dovizioso and his Repsol Honda crew were preparing for a late shift in their pit-box at the end of the day.

Facing added responsibility as a factory representative in Honda’s home race, at the second round of the Japanese manufacturing giant’s 50th season in the World Championship, Dovizioso finished in seventh place in FP1 – a 1.485s gap behind pace man Valentino Rossi.

The young Italian stated, “It was a strange practice because the conditions were really cold and it was difficult to get temperature into the tyres, so that was the big problem.”

Referring to the switch in dates for the Motegi visit, from late summer to early Spring he added, “These are the conditions, but normally we don’t ride here in these temperatures.”

Looking for solutions to his setting problems Dovizioso went on to say, “We also need to adapt the electronics system because the bike was too aggressive, so that was why we didn’t go so fast. I really hope that tomorrow we’ll have two dry sessions to work with, though it’s not looking too likely.”