Suppo Hoping For Change in Fortunes
Added on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Suppo: Under pressure
Ducati boss Livio Suppo believes that the team can finally turn around their ailing fortunes in China this weekend and give their championship credentials a massive boost.
Aside from a victory for Casey Stoner in Qatar, the Ducati has struggled in both Jerez and Estoril with Stoner and Marco Melandri both failing to impress whilst the Alice team, using a satellite version of the Desmosedici, have also faltered to deceive so far.
The characteristics of the bike have been blamed for poor performances in the Iberian Peninsula and so concerns will grow for Suppo should Ducati’s problems continue this weekend on a circuit which is amongst the fastest on the calendar.
“On paper the Shanghai circuit is one that should suit our package quite well so I’m sure that we’ll be strong,” said Suppo.
“Vittoriano (Guareschi) has spent three days testing some new things at Mugello, in particular with the electronics, and we’re satisfied with how the GP8 is continuing to evolve.
“Bridgestone are also putting a lot of hard work in. Casey had a really good test himself after the race at Estoril and I think we’ll also see some encouraging signs from Marco soon.”
Melandri himself is looking to past performances as he looks for positives ahead of Sunday’s event.
The Italian, who has yet to finish in the top ten this season, earned a podium last year in China but is a long-price to repeat the feat.
“Shanghai is a circuit I like a lot. The first time we went there I managed a podium and went really strong in the wet - in fact my overriding memory from that race is the rain, there was so much of it!
“Last year I finished fifth and that was a good result for me because I remember I was losing a lot of ground in the straights, on top speed.
“That shouldn’t be the case this year and in general the track should be good for our bike so hopefully we can have a good race at last.”
