Stoner warns over grip in Germany
Added on Thursday, July 15th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
Stoner warns over grip in Germany
Casey Stoner has hinted that Ducati’s problems in getting the tyres to work with the Desmosedici could be exposed at Sachsenring as he looks to make it a hat-trick of podium finishes.
Stoner, in his final season with Ducati after confirming a deal with Honda last week, has endured a nightmare campaign in 2010, persistently complaining about the lack of front-end grip from his Ducati – a problem that he blamed on his crashes in Qatar and Le Mans.
And Stoner hinted that whilst the situation has improved in recent weeks, the issue could rear it’s ugly head again on a Sachsenring circuit that is notoriously harsh on tyres.
“We have always had pretty good races at Sachsenring,” he claimed. “I got my first-ever podium there and I’m definitely looking forward to it.
“We’re a little more confident with the bike, everything has worked well enough in the last three races and we just need to find a bit more speed – just a few tenths of a second.
“We have to try a few different things to get some grip without losing the good feeling we have with the bike at the moment. You definitely need good side grip at Sachsenring because through a lot of those long corners you need to keep the gas open as long as possible. Also when you come over the top at turn 12 the rear gets very light and wants to wriggle around, so you really need some traction over the top there.
“Anyway, I’m looking forward to the next race because if we can find a good set-up it can give us the opportunity to do well. I want to put some good results together and both myself and the team will be working hard and giving 100% to get them.”
