Locatelli Completes Promising First WorldSBK Test with Pata Yamaha
Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team with Rizla’s 2021 rider Andrea Locatelli got his first taste of the Yamaha R1 at the Circuito Estoril, and despite weather conditions cutting short his running, the Italian was quickly up to speed and well-integrated into the team.
Just one day after the 2020 FIM Superbike World Championship season finale, in which Pata Yamaha scored a pair of victories with Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and formed part of Yamaha’s first-ever podium lockout in the Superpole Race, reigning FIM Supersport World Champion Locatelli joined the team for his maiden WorldSBK test, completing 26 laps in the dry morning session at the Portuguese venue, before rain halted any further running.
The Italian will be back on the bike for the Jerez test on 16-17 November, where the team will look to get as much running as possible, to best prepare him for the 2021 season.
Andrea Locatelli
Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team
“Very nice first impressions, we didn’t do too many laps but the feeling with the Yamaha R1 is incredible immediately. It’s important to use this test to try to understand everything with the bike and now I am more confident, particularly with the braking. It’s the first time riding the R1 for me, and now we have a good base to work on ahead of the next test in Jerez. I’m really excited because the guys at Pata Yamaha are very professional and we are already working well together. I’m happy with the electronics and we need to understand the grip and tyres a little more, but step-by-step we are making some good progress. Before coming here, I talked with Andrew Pitt and Andrea Dosoli to ensure I got some experience within the team and the test was always a good opportunity for me. Today’s not a great day with the conditions but at least I’ve had some time to understand the bike and I’m really looking forward to the next one.”
Paul Denning – Team Principal
Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team
“It’s difficult to draw too many conclusions from this very shortened test here in Estoril, other than that we know Andrea has a deep level of racing intelligence. He brings a very analytical approach to his work and most importantly was able to get a good feel for the Yamaha R1. It was important to make a start to 2021 as soon as possible and to get some of the basics out of the way, including riding position, the electronic control strategies and the first experience of the 1000c R1 superbike engine. It’s given us a good platform going forward to Jerez in a few weeks’ time.”
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
Estoril Test ends with positive feelings for Scott Redding and Michael Rinaldi
The 2021 season has already started for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team which this morning got back on track with Scott Redding and Michael Rinaldi for the first test in view of the 2021 season.
Despite the rain that started to fall at the end of the morning interrupting track activity, both Scott and Michael were able to lap consistently.
Scott Redding worked on some solutions that will be introduced in the 2021 season and the results have been appreciable. The British rider completed 39 laps and was the fastest with a time of 1’36.581.
Micheal Rinaldi lapped to become familiar with the 2020 version of the Ducati Panigale V4 R, completing 29 laps and getting useful information for the next tests.
Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
“We have tried a few things that will be useful next season and the result was positive. Despite the rain that forced us to close the test very early, we were able to gather positive information that Ducati can work on in winter. Now I’m going to take a little break but I’ll start training soon so that I can arrive in ideal conditions at the beginning of next season”.
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
“Unfortunately the rain ruined our plan but we still had the chance to complete a few laps to start collecting data to work on. The sensations are extremely positive. I was surprised by the 2020 version of the Ducati Panigale V4 R, especially the braking areas. I can’t wait to get back on track”.
