The Suzuki MotoGP Test Team wrapped-up its first test of 2014 at Sepang in Malaysia yesterday positive in the direction found during its first outing with the new Magneti Marelli electronic system.
With the main purpose of the three-day test to evaluate the new ECU and test a variety of settings, rather than concentrate on outright lap times, test rider Randy De Puniet, however, improved his fastest time from yesterday on the 5,543m Sepang International Circuit by setting a best of 2:02.486 minutes – 1.4-seconds faster than his opening day lap-time even though track grip-level was less.
Said De Puniet: “It was an important test to start our development of the new Magneti Marelli electronic system and we had a lot of work to do, but today we improved the engine connection in the morning while we struggled more on traction control in the afternoon.
“The track was worse today in terms of grip-level further development, but overall the three days were very positive and now we know more of what to do for the next test. We will be back here soon and I hope to be able to progress further by making more improvements.”
Satoru Terada, Project leader & Team Director of Team Suzuki MotoGP said: “This Sepang Test 1 was our first opportunity to bring the Magneti Marelli ECU to the circuit for a test ride. We needed to realise firstly how well things were working with this new engine control system and this was our primary target for this test.
“We have seen many things to work on, and most of which were not beyond what we anticipated, so I believe we concluded Sepang 1 in a positive manner as the starting-point of our development in this important year.
“Of course, we must admit that we were struggling a little in terms of improving our lap-times but we will soon be back at our factory to work-on this along with further development and testing to have the machine progressed and more-competitive for the next Sepang Test.”
The Suzuki MotoGP Test Team will continue its 2014 development and testing programme at Sepang at the end of February.