British MotoGP: Casey Stoner searching for wet improvement

Former world champion Casey Stoner conceded he will need to make significant improvements to the wet set-up of his factory Ducati if there’s a repeat of today’s fast changing weather conditions at Donington Park.

The Aussie ended today’s opening free practice session with the second best time; a 1.38.872 in his short 17-lap stint seeing him finish 0.245s off Dani Pedrosa’s best pace.

Stoner was happy with his pace towards the end of the session as the Leicestershire track dried quickly after torrential rain had earlier battered Donington Park.

But he believes he’ll need to improve the rain setting for his GP9 if the last British GP at Donington Park is struck by more wet weather.“

“Pretty average,“ said Stoner in describing his wet pace. “We didn’t really get a chance to test anything.

“We just did a few laps in the wet but we still need to improve the bike in the wet to try and transfer a bit more weight to the rear.

“The track started drying out and you don’t learn anything in these conditions. You just destroy tyres, so there was no sense to be out there, wasting energy, wasting tyres and wasting time to find nothing.

“We’ll see if the weather is better tomorrow. The wet set-up today was okay, but we need to improve it quite a lot.”

Stoner opted to miss the closing stages of the session when track conditions had improved drastically, the 23-year-old opting to conserve his energy as he looks to end a barren recent run.

Fatigue issues have seen Stoner fail to claim a podium in the last two races and he added: “The least amount of laps to find a setting is a better situation. It worked in Germany and I lasted a little bit longer.

“In Catalunya and Assen I wasn’t doing just a few laps, I was doing full sessions and I was tired before the race. In Laguna and Sachsenring I reduced the laps and I was better for the race, so if I continue like this it should be better.”

Stoner though said there had been no sudden improvement in his physical condition, the cause of which remains a complete mystery after inconclusive checks in California after the recent Laguna Seca race.

He did admit though that the wet and cooler conditions had helped him. He added: “For some reason I was already sore today before going out on the bike, but when I was on the bike it felt good.

“It was a wet session and it’s not hard to ride the bike when it’s like this. The concentration level is a lot higher but to ride the bike, physically it is much easier.

“These last two weekends have favoured me so if I can continue like this I’m happy.”

 

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