Aoyama slams testing limits
Added on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
Aoyama slams testing limits
Hiroshi Aoyama has become the latest rider to hit out at MotoGP testing restrictions, claiming that they are unfair on rookie riders.
The 250cc champion, new to MotoGP this season, claims that the last of available testing time makes it difficult for new riders and teams to prepare for the new season.
Testing restrictions this season limited riders to just six days of testing over three sessions, with regular MotoGP riders allowed two days of testing at two separate three-day sessions in Sepang with two further days under floodlights in Qatar. Rookies are allowed three further days of testing in Malaysia although the Interwetten Honda rider believes that is still not enough time for riders to develop a competitive package.
The last of practice has been reflected in his pre-season form, with unimpressive lap times at each of the three official tests.
“I’m not very happy at the moment, but it’s my fault,” he told Motosprint. “I’m also angry, however, because no one spared a thought for us rookies.
“The rule limiting testing to six days may be fine for veterans, but for a rookie like me is a big problem. Six days is nothing.
“Considering the three days we did in December, nine days of testing allow you to understand very little of the bike,” he said. “The season is now about to start. I hope to be able to do some small progress within a couple of races, but I fear more races are needed.
“I need to improve my sensitivity – I need to understand problems more quickly, I need to recognise them and most of all I need to be able to explain them to the technicians. That’s how you improve in this class.
“It’s a problem because sometimes I get confused: I can’t fully understand whether the problems come from the chassis, the suspensions, or the electronics.”
