Enea Bastianini began the three-day Sepang testing event showing promising signs despite placing 12th on the leaderboard, finishing 1.1 seconds behind Marc Marquez. His positive outlook is tied to working with Tech3’s new crew chief, Andres Madrid, who brings valuable experience after collaborating extensively with Brad Binder. Bastianini expressed satisfaction with the progress made during the first day.
I’m satisfied with the work we did today,
Bastianini declared, describing noticeable improvement from morning to evening.
Considering it’s only day one, I can be pleased. The ergonomic adjustments we made during my third outing made a significant difference.
Adjustments and Challenges with Tire Performance
Throughout the day, Bastianini encountered difficulties, particularly in the morning, as he struggled to find the right balance with the hard compound tires. His afternoon session, however, offered more insight after switching to softer tires, which helped him identify key areas for bike setup refinement. He explained the importance of optimizing the bike’s configuration.
It was crucial to focus on the setup,
he said.
The base setup I had before wasn’t ideal for me. Observing some of my teammates, I experimented with different configurations and was thrilled to find some effective solutions.
Evaluating New Aerodynamics and Competitive Landscape
Bastianini used the testing session to assess new aerodynamic parts designed for KTM, highlighting the urgency to fine-tune these elements before the first race.
I’m pleased with the new aerodynamics; some elements seem to be working quite well. We’ll test them again tomorrow,
he mentioned. Despite his optimism, he acknowledged the intensity of competition this season, noting significant improvements from rivals.
We need to improve, as other manufacturers have shown stronger performance today. It’s clear Honda and Aprilia have made significant strides.
Managing Vibration Concerns and Rider Comfort
Addressing a persistent issue, Bastianini commented on vibrations during his runs. Thankfully, he experienced minimal vibration problems throughout the day, only noticing them briefly with a new tire compound. He remains confident about making further progress in mastering this aspect.
Honestly, I didn’t experience many today. I only felt them with a new tire. It can be tricky to manage, especially with my riding style, but I believe I can improve in this area,
he admitted.
Testing New Components and Ergonomic Refinements
Bastianini tested several new parts during the day, including aerodynamic upgrades, while also focusing on improving his riding position to increase comfort on the bike.
I tried some aerodynamic changes, but I wasn’t at 100% ergonomically. I also worked on adjusting my riding position, which helped me feel increasingly comfortable in every session.
Looking forward, he intends to try an upgraded swingarm, viewing it as a promising advancement for bike performance.
Confidence Building Compared to Previous Season
Although he has yet to try the new frame, Bastianini feels a notable difference from last year’s difficult start, conveying a sense of calm and readiness despite limited parts availability.
I feel more at ease this year, even if I’m unsure of what parts will come next. There aren’t many pieces available, and it would be ideal to have more options for each rider, as not all of us will get to try everything.
Positive Relationship with New Crew Chief Enhances Development
The connection with Andres Madrid is already strong, contributing to a productive atmosphere within the team. Bastianini noted the challenges typical of a new partnership but highlighted moments of mutual satisfaction and camaraderie during testing.
It’s always a bit tricky at the start because we don’t know each other well. However, I think we did a great job today. I saw him smiling during the session, which indicates he’s pleased with our work, and we shared some laughs in the box to foster a positive atmosphere. Today was a good day, and I believe he can help me moving forward, as he understands my needs well,
Bastianini remarked.
Anticipation Surrounding Tech3’s New Leadership
Bastianini shared brief thoughts on Guenther Steiner, Tech3’s recently appointed team principal, noting he has not yet met him in person but is curious about the leadership changes.
I haven’t spoken with him yet. He’ll come to see us, but I’m unsure if he’ll be here in Malaysia. He seems like a nice guy based on what I’ve seen on TV. Is he very different from Hervé Poncharal? I think so. Although I haven’t interacted with Guenther yet, my experience with Hervé was that he was passionate but perhaps lost some motivation.
Teammate Performances and Looking Ahead to the Season
Highlighting the strong form of teammate Maverick Vinales, who has been benefiting from training with Jorge Lorenzo, Bastianini indicated this could signal a bright future for Tech3’s season. He praised Vinales’ speed and hinted at promising prospects for the team overall. With renewed determination and collaborative support, Bastianini is preparing for a challenging and exciting MotoGP campaign ahead.
