Six-time World Superbike champion, many years with Kawasaki in his “comfort zone,” and now, with Yamaha, his adventure in the championship did not start well, with Jonathan Rea showing great concern about his performance.
The Briton was 12th in FP1 (1:30.495s) and 16th in FP2 (1:30.097s) and did not have an easy day, he stated: ‘It was a very difficult day […] we had some problems in the morning, probably due to the test. We had difficulty identifying exactly what it is; the bike is very difficult to ride. We are trying to eliminate the problems and we are changing the bike’s setup quite a bit […]. Something is not right, and it is not exactly how I imagined the first day of the season would start, but we are where we are, and I have complete confidence in the team to find the root of the problem and try to be stronger tomorrow,’ said the new recruit for Pata Prometeon Yamaha, who did not hide the need to see something happen, adding:
– We are working as a team through the items, trying to solve the problems. At the moment, it is unacceptable. Something is not right, and we have to find the problem. I was told that I can’t talk too much, but it is frustrating for me because I would love to tell the whole story… it was a difficult day, one of the most difficult. I fully believe in the guys that we can make it, but it wasn’t how I dreamed of starting the world championship.
And he concluded: ‘We are really at a disadvantage; I knew that when time was running out, I had to register a lap. Maybe, those were the three most complicated laps I have ever done! Even with the problem, I am not riding the R1 in the best way, but I need to have the bike close enough to me to exploit my strengths. We have to find the problem; otherwise, it will be the most difficult race of my life.’
