Tech 3 on experience building mission with Bradley Smith

Bradley Smith’s Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad will focus on building up the British rider’s experience on a YZR-M1 machine during this week’s three-day MotoGP test at the Sepang track.

Time on track to adapt to the YZR-M1 will be made a priority over the testing of a range of settings or parts as the Oxfordshire rider seeks to build up his limited knowledge of a MotoGP machine.

Smith’s MotoGP debut at the Valencia track in Spain last November was severely disrupted by cold and wet conditions.

But Smith will be back on track tomorrow (Tuesday) for his first serious outing on the YZR-M1 machine he will race alongside compatriot Cal Crutchlow in 2013.

Vastly experienced crew chief Guy Coulon is masterminding Smith’s rookie season in the premier class and he told MCN in Malaysia: “The priority for Bradley is to understand the bike more and all the systems on it like engine braking, anti-wheelie and traction control.

“This track can be very severe for a beginner and for the first two days we just want him to do laps to build up his understanding of the bike and how to manage it. Maybe on the last day he can try a race simulation but he doesn’t have so many things to test.

“This first test is schooling and everything is going well we can start to compare some new parts and some different settings at the second test in Sepang later this month.”

Smith will start with a base Yamaha setting that was used during last October’s Malasyian Grand Prix and Coulon added: “We have data from this setting and we know the lap time we need and how the bike was working.

“If we want to get a good comparison we will start from a similar base but this is a very logical way to work.”

Coulon also confirmed that Smith’s bike will be fitted with a new engine spec compared to the motor he used on his debut in Valencia.

The chassis he will test in Malaysia though is almost identical to the version he used in Spain in mid-November.

For regular updates from the Sepang test, see www.motorcyclenews.com