Preview of the Qatar GP
A NEW ERA, A NEW CHALLENGE
The countdown is over. Everything is in place for a fresh,
exciting challenge.
 After
an intensive winter schedule that has taken the team across
the world in development of the new 800cc machines, the moment
of truth is about to arrive at the Losail circuit in Qatar,
which hosts the opening round of the MotoGP World Championship
2007 this Saturday. It is the first of 18 unmissable rounds
that will take in fifteen countries across four continents
between March and November.
Team Honda Gresini stands on the brink of a new campaign
in new livery, with new colours and and ready to take on an
entirely new challenge. The 990cc machines that have marked
the MotoGP age so far give way to 800cc prototypes this Saturday
as the Losail International Circuit welcomes a new era in
the sport.
Marco Melandri and Toni Elias can count on the support of
an entire squad with the sole focus of winning the title with
the Bridgestone-shod Honda RC212V.
Marco Melandri: "I'm really fired up
for the start of the new season. We've done a lot of preparation
during the winter, working methodically, focusing on race
pace as opposed to a single fast lap. I like the bike a lot,
especially the cycle part, I've got a good feeling with it
and I'm having fun again. I've got a lot of confidence in
the Honda-Bridgestone package and complete faith in our partners
- HRC and Bridgestone. I'm happy even though there is still
work to do. The race will be particularly demanding because
the Losail circuit has a long straight and you need horsepower.
At least in the test we completed there in February we worked
out which way we want to go with the race tyre."
Toni Elias: "I can't wait to get back
on track for the first race. I'm really happy to be back with
Fausto Gresini, my chief mechanic Cecchini and all the guys
in the team. I really believe in continuity and I feel comfortable
and well supported here. We're working to find a base that
has the best possible balance between the bike and the new
tyres that Bridgestone brought to Jerez to suit my riding
style. Losail is a tough track because the conditions mean
there is no room for error. We tested here in the middle of
February but this time I want to get more out of the bike's
potential with these new tyres."
Fausto Gresini: "After so many months
of preparation it is always exciting to arrive at the first
race of the season. This year our team is consolidated, with
two young riders who have a lot of potential and whom we have
a lot of faith in. We're proud to continue with Marco Melandri
in a project we started alongside Honda in 2005. After finishing
runners-up in the World Championship in 2005 and starring
at the front of the pack throughout last season, we're aiming
for even bigger and better things this season. Alongside Marco
we have Toni Elias, who is in his second season with our team.
There is no doubting his potential and we want to help this
young talent grow so that he can continue to reap the fruit
of the determination that sets him apart from the rest, something
we saw last year on the way to his first victory in MotoGP."
The new rules
The Grand Prix of Qatar, the opening round of the MotoGP World
Championship 2007, is the start of a season that promises
to be full of surprises. With the advent of a new era featuring
more compact 800cc bikes, there is also a host of technical
and sporting changes to the rule book - the change in engine
capacity being the most notable.
ENGINE: the maximum engine size has gone
down from 990 to 800cc. This has forced the manufacturers
to redesign their bikes either partly or completely. It has
been calculated that this will lead to 25-30 hp power loss
during the first development stage.
WEIGHT: this has not changed. To be exact, bikes with on-board
cameras must weigh at least 148 kilos for 3-4 cylinder engines.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: the amount of fuel allowed
for use during the race has been reduced from 22 litres to
21.
TYRES: there is a major restriction on the
tyres allowed in each single race. Every racer has 31 tyres
(14 front, 17 rear) available to choose from. All the tyres
must be allocation-marked before the first practice session.
Rain tyres are excluded from this allocation. This restriction
does not apply to manufacturers that have not yet achieved
a podium finish.
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