Pedrosa in high spirits as test concludes
Spain's Dani Pedrosa is in high spirits after setting the second fastest time on the final day of the second Sepang MotoGP test in Malaysia.
The Repsol Honda rider was just 0.175s adrift of team-mate and reigning champion Casey Stoner, who shot straight back to the top of the time sheets with a fastest lap of 2m 0.473s.
It was a successful return to action for the Honda duo, who missed the second day of the test after HRC recalled Pedrosa's RC213V engine to examine a fault that developed late on the opening day.
Pedrosa focused on the chassis of the RC213V with a view to reducing the chatter problems experienced by both factory riders and at the conclusion of the Sepang test declared himself happy with the progress made.
“In general we've been working a lot on the chassis at this test, to find the best compromise. We tried different ideas and set ups and we leave quite happy with the feelings. This is a very specific track, so it's important to have clear ideas for the future,” said Pedrosa.
“We also made some progress on the braking and the chassis feels a little better because we have a less chatter compared to the first test. We need to keep improving on entry and middle of the corner, but I think that we can expect improvements when we start to work more in depth with the engine and the electronics, which we will do in the Jerez test.
“Today I also used a different screen to be more comfortable on the straight which felt better”.
Although Pedrosa and Stoner were forced to sit out the second day of the test along with Honda's other MotoGP riders, the pair successfully completed the testing programme planned for Malaysia.
The final MotoGP test prior to the opening round of the 2012 championship in Qatar on April 8 will be held at Jerez in Spain at the end of this month.