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A final effort at Valencia for Andrea Iannone too. The Italian will round off his first season on the Suzuki at the Ricardo Tormo track but at the same time, his mind is already on 2018. On Tuesday testing will begin and teams cannot afford to find themselves ill-prepared for next year's championship.
“We've reached the end of the championship but we've still got work to do – states #29 -I hope we have a positive end to the season and that it all goes well. We need to work hard during the practices, focusing especially on bike set-up, to adapt it was well as possible to the track”.
Andrea is already thinking about next week's two-day test session.
“I'm really curious to test the material that's been developed during 2017 but that, for obvious reasons, we haven't been able to use yet - he explains – we hope to be able to start with a more competitive Suzuki and are quite confident we'll be able to do so. I say this also because, in previous tests, we've preferred the 2018 material to what we currently have”.
The Maniac already knows what to expect.
“We will have an almost definitive package, as the Japanese always work ahead of time. We're already 90% there with the base for next year's bike”.
A win at Valencia wouldn't guarantee the advantages regarding testing and fuel as foreseen by the regulation.
“You never turn down a win or a podium – he explains - we would have to be competitive to obtain that kind of result”.
He also comments on the Dovizioso-Marquez title fight.
“Marc is the firm favourite, the title is 90% his–he points out- as an Italian and a rider who has worked with Ducati and Dovi, I hope they are able to achieve this milestone result. I would like their dream to become reality – he adds - but if it happens it will be a miracle, and I say this as a realist. I think that Andrea and Marc will battle to the wire on Sunday and I expect the Ducati to be competitive”.
Looking back to 2016, Iannone was on the podium at Ricardo Tormo.
“Last year my race was beyond all limits, there was a big difference between Andrea and me. I continued to grow and learn more about the bike all through the season”.
