A Repsol generated interview with Dani Pedrosa's crew chief Mike Leitner, following last week's private
MotoGP test at the new Austin circuit.
Leitner has worked with Pedrosa since 2004, in the 250GP class. The pair won two 250cc titles together and have finished Championship runner-up three times in MotoGP, including last season...
Q:
How did the test in Austin go?
Mike Leitner:
“It was a rather interesting test. The objective was clear: To understand the track and see what kind of characteristics it has. It all went well and we more or less got what we needed out of it. The grip level still wasn't optimal, because not many riders were there, but in general it was a very good test.”
Q:
What kind of a track is it, technically speaking?
Mike Leitner:
“I think that it is a track that has a bit of everything. It has climbs, dips... Turn 1 is very special, because you are braking very hard on an incline. Then on Turn 2 you are dropping down and have a string of corners linked together in third gear. There are some very sharp braking sections and, in general, it is a very technical track.”
Q:
Did you have a lot of chatter in Austin?
Mike Leitner:
“Up to now that hasn't been a big problem, because the grip level isn't the same as it will be when we go racing. We hope that when the three classes are there and we have more bikes on the track, that the grip and the bike behaviour will change.”
Q:
Can we say that it is a track that suits Honda or Yamaha more?
Mike Leitner:
“No, it is difficult to say that before a race weekend. It was a test, and Yamaha were only there for two days. But I think that both bikes have positive sections and maybe less positive ones. In the end, the lap times will be very similar.”
Q:
Do you think that the level for Honda and Yamaha is similar at the moment?
Mike Leitner:
“I don't know exactly what the Yamaha is like, because I'm not allowed to touch it and can only see it from the outside, but I am sure that we will see another close season. Like last year, Yamaha has some advantages and so do we, but in the end it will be our two factories who fight for the wins.”
Q:
What do you think of Dani Pedrosa's pre-season so far?
Mike Leitner:
“He's done very well up to now. In Sepang we had some good tests and also in Austin. In America we tried to make adequate changes for the track, without going crazy about it. In Sepang I had the same feeling. The lap times can be slower or faster, but in general we are working well.”
Q:
How has the extra weight [3kg] required by the rules this year affected things?
Mike Leitner:
“All of the bikes will have this extra weight, and you definitely notice it. It is a challenge when it comes to looking at a new setup. However, I think that we are on a good path in terms of adapting to these extra kilos required by the rules.”
Q:
After so many years with Dani, sometimes a look between you must be sufficient.
Mike Leitner: