Team Suzuki Press Office – Aug 9. – After the positive test held on Monday in Brno, Team SUZUKI ECSTAR headed to Austria for the back-to-back race this Sunday.
Riders Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins were feeling positive about their GSX-RR’s after the day of testing, with some setup improvements that might prove useful in Austria. Alex Rins will also benefit from the updated chassis that Iannone has been using since the Barcelona test, providing both riders with the same technical package.
Additional testing was done in Brno two days ago, especially concerning Evolutions parts in the engine that will be introduced in 2018 as per the official rules. The Austrian circuit is one that is much celebrated by Andrea Iannone, who won his first race here in MotoGP last year, and is looking forward to enjoying the very fast straights and corners of the Spielberg ring.
The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg is located in the beautiful Bezirk Murtal district of Styria, in Austria. The circuit was originally built in 1969, then known as the Österreichring. In 1996 it was rebuilt with the track-layout it still has today, and in 2011 it was reopened as the Red Bull Ring and again became the centre of Austrian motor sports. The sloping terrain and the natural arena are trademark features of the Red Bull Ring which is home to a 18-metre-high landmark, the “Bull of Spielberg,” in the centre and the Voestalpine wing, considered a spectacular architectural highlight. With a length of 4.318 km, it features ten turns and an altitude variance of 65 metres.
Andrea Iannone
“I want to forget the bad luck of the race in Brno as soon as possible, and the test we did on Monday helped in this. We did constructive work, finding some solutions that I believe can help me here in Austria. The setup improvements give me more confidence on the GSX-RR and it is paying off in terms of lap time. It’s good that we go back-to-back, now in Austria, keeping the positive momentum we have for the test. The circuit in Austria is fascinating in and of itself, but it also has a special emotional value for me, as it’s the place where I won my first race in MotoGP. This is a yet another push for me to have a positive race this year.”
Alex Rins
“After the race in Brno we had one day of testing last Monday. I believe we were able to make important steps forward and I’m very satisfied by the results and the work we’re doing with the team. We have to be patience and work step-by-step, putting all our efforts into it to get where I believe we belong. It’s going to be a long haul but I think we’re on a good path. I’m eager to try my GSX-RR in the Austrian circuit. Last year we raced here for the first time and I have great memories of enjoying it on the Moto2.”
