The MotoGP test in Barcelona marked the debut of Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales with the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team and the KTM RC16. The two drivers were joined by test driver Pol Espargaró, who helped facilitate their introduction to the manufacturer.
Speaking to DAZN about the arrival of the new drivers, Espargaró explained that performance was not the main priority: 'At the moment, we're as far along as the previous Sunday, as there hasn't been time for the factory riders to test new things or get comfortable with the new packages. Perhaps the first thing to do during the morning tests was to spend some time with the two drivers who have just arrived, to give them more support and warmth, so that they can understand all the situations and start to work to be more competitive from the second test’.
The scenario was different for the factory team, according to Espargaró: 'In the KTM factory team, they are already working on all the new things, and they don't need that initial support anymore. But I guess by noon they started testing some interesting and important things. This day is also useful for trying things we didn't have time to test over the weekend, ideas we thought might work but weren't able to prioritize. This is something that the factory team, with more experience, takes care of’.
For Espargaró, following the feedback from the two new drivers has been intriguing: 'It's very interesting to hear their first impressions, what they want to improve, and what elements they bring from other manufacturers that we don't have yet and are trying to implement on the bike. This seems pretty intense. In addition, each driver has his or her particularities, and you have to adapt to their individual preferences, whether it is corner entry, braking or acceleration.’.
