MotoGP has returned to Brazil for the first time in 22 years, with fans in Goiania offering a warm welcome. The weather, however, hasn’t been quite as accommodating. Early rain caused delays to the weekend’s running, although once underway Friday's action went smoothly.
Despite that, the impact of unpredictable weather presents challenges that aren’t always visible on screen to MotoGP teams.
Paolo Bonora, Team Manager at Aprilia Racing, spoke to Pitlane Reporter Jack Appleyard during FP1 about how conditions have complicated preparations – particularly at a new circuit: “These weather conditions don't help when arriving to a new circuit, we simulated the track layout in the past months. The most difficult situation is to arrive to a new layout without the possibility of getting a lot of miles.
“We have simulated one gear ratio, this is the first priority, then it is necessary to fix the electronic settings, these are the two priorities. Then it is necessary to work on the settings. This doesn't help but it is the same for everyone. We are fully confident in our technician to understand everything in a very short time.”
With weather likely to play a role throughout the weekend, teams must factor changing conditions into their plans for qualifying, the Tissot Sprint, and Sunday’s Grand Prix. The weekend has begun with wet conditions, but given the tropical Brazilian climate, we could see a dry to wet race too over the weekend; something which HRC Team Manager Santi Hernandez delves into the technical details in the video below!