There was nothing else we could do as a team to make our bike faster. It was just slow. And, yeah, when you've got other teams cheating... Other teams with budget maybe 'bending the rules' - let's say - and buying the necessary components to make a difference, then that's when you lose your time.
Dexter Fielding:
There
were reports about Marquez's bike...
Bradley Smith:
It wasn't just Marquez, it was going on with a lot of riders.
Dexter Fielding:
You have been the main developer of this year's Tech 3 Moto2 chassis, what kind of bike have you left for your fellow Brit in the same team Danny Kent who is moving up from Moto3 as a multi GP winner?
Bradley Smith:
I would've liked to have changed a lot more on the bike than I was able to. There were definitely numerous ideas this season that we just didn't have the budget or resources to change.
But I've left the ideas with the engineer and it's down to the team to do with them as they wish.
It's definitely a better bike than I arrived with. At certain race tracks I proved that it is capable of running near the front. I put it in P1 in some sessions and was fighting for the podium at certain races.
It is a top 6-8 bike at some tracks and outside the points at others. It really is a case of if it works, it works - and if it doesn't, it doesn't.
There are lots of guys riding the Kalex and Suter next year. I believe those bikes are better than ours, so I think it will be a struggle for the team unless they do anything drastic.
That obviously doesn't make me feel very proud of what I was able to do [to improve the bike] but I felt I did the maximum I could with what I had.
Dexter Fielding:
Has Cal Crutchlow been helping you and if so how?
Bradley Smith:
Cal followed me for six laps at the Valencia test. Immediately he told me to pick up the bike a lot earlier, especially with the electronics, pick it up so it is on the fat of the tyre more quickly, otherwise the electronics cut the power.
At the beginning I am sure there will be help, but as the season progresses I am sure I will be left to it. Riders and team-mates are competitive so the level of help will dwindle as the season goes on.
Dexter Fielding:
What kind of expectations do you have personally for 2013?
Bradley Smith: