MotoGP, Mir: “The 2022 engine? I couldn’t pass the Ducatis”

For Joan Mir, seventh in testing is not setting off any alarm bells. The MotoGP world champion starts by outlining the work completed with team Ecstar at Losail: "I tested a new engine today, in its 2022 configuration. We’re continuing to work with all the parts Suzuki brings, to understand the direction to take. I think we’ll focus a bit more on performance tomorrow, taking that step in terms of competitiveness”.

How does the new engine perform? Rather well, although the Spaniard notes one important detail. “The 2022 engine is faster along the straight. But I still couldn’t pass even one Ducati, but the four-cylinder is a bit better and has the same character as the engine I know. I feel positive because the base is solid”.

Fast flying lap? Not yet

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Mir suffered in qualifying last year and it was his ability to play catch up in the races that made the difference. But it would be better to start further forward on the grid of course: "Our technical package is interesting, because it’s complete in every area, but the flying lap is not a characteristic of our Suzuki. We don’t have a bike that can guarantee the quickest individual lap time, but the bike does offer many advantages with respect to the competition. But we hope to be fast and to improve by at least a second".

What more can they do? Mir has some ideas: "We have room to improve, but how much room I don’t know. Quartararo is quick over the flying lap, but I don’t think we can set a 53'2. Tomorrow we’ll be quicker, taking a step forward, and we’ll see where we really are compared to everyone else".

The Suzuki glass appears half full, if we listen to the current champion: "I took a small step forward today. But we can’t lap faster yet because we’re focusing on the steps to take. It will be interesting to see where we’re at, as today there was some confusion. Many lapped in 1'53" but we weren’t far off. We’ll do a race simulation once we’ve finished all the planned work".

New Suzuki frame? In the coming days

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As well as the updated four-cylinder, Hamamatsu has also developed a new frame, though Joan is yet to evaluate its potential: “I didn’t test the new frame on the first day, we need to check many things over the coming days because it takes time to understand each part. We need to make some laps and then analyse it and make the right changes. We need to make the right decisions in terms of frame set-up and that takes time".

A colleague asked Joan if there is any technical similarity between his riding and that of Alex Rins: “There is always rivalry between team-mates. Alex brings a real competitiveness to Suzuki and pushes me to do more. Rins’ performance is in line with mine and our combined feedback can help improve the performance of the GSX-RR. When I started in 2019, our riding styles were totally different, but now there is less difference. But I’m stronger in braking for example, while he’s cleaner through some of the turns. Alex might be quicker through the turns, but I brake hard and open the throttle early. But I can’t manage everything we have on my own. I’d say we’re at 70% of our potential right now”.

Mir worried? Not really

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There’s a lot of work to do and they also need to understand the areas in which the bike is improving: "Understanding the character of the bike with the new engine is difficult. The engine I know and this new one are similar, with a few differences in terms of the electronics settings. We’re sure we’re going to have a bigger advantage though, and while last year we were consistent, that was our advantage, in 2022 we’re going to have a super bike, with which to take another step forward".

We finish as we started. Is #36 worried about his performance over the flying lap? It appears not: "We have a good, advanced technical package, that guarantees consistency lap after lap. We probably need more speed, we know we need to improve our lap times. But, considering our steps forward, we’re pleased with our work. We need to improve the general speed of the bike, which is already good in fact. We haven’t focused on the single lap. I think we’ll be top five in the race, even top three”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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