Andrea Dovizioso admits he does not know why he struggled to sixth in the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix, but is “happy” with his race as it has flagged up more areas for Ducati to work on.
Dovizioso won the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2016 and '17 in wet conditions, while Ducati topped the winter test at Sepang in February thanks to an unofficial lap record from Jorge Lorenzo.
Starting from fourth (originally fifth before poleman Marc Marquez's grid drop) Dovizioso failed to make any impression on the lead battle, and was 11.2 seconds back from the victory in sixth.
Dovizioso says he “couldn't brake” and “couldn't make the speed in the middle of the corners” early on, and is at a loss as to why he struggled so much, though was “happy” for these issues to appear in order to allow Ducati to work on them over the winter.
“From the beginning I couldn’t brake, I couldn’t make the speed in the middle of the corners, so I couldn’t really make a good lap time,” said Dovizioso.
“Friday and Saturday my speed with the used tyre was good. The condition was a bit different; it was a bit hotter because with the sun, but I don’t know.
“We don’t know. We have to study, keep calm, but I’m really happy to ride this kind of race because it can show some limits and it will be very important to know this before the winter because, during the test and during the weekend, our speed is always good.
“But during the race is always different and, so we have to analyse and understand because that’s what we need.”
A crash for long-time race leader Valentino Rossi in the latter stages meant Dovizioso's sixth was good enough for him to secure second in the standings for the second year in succession.
Admitting he made “too many zeros” during the season, and that world champion Marquez was “a bit faster”, Dovizioso was nevertheless complimentary of Ducati's performance this year and expects to be “more ready” next season.
“I’m really happy to confirm the second position. Valentino did an incredible race today. The speed was incredible.
“But he made a mistake, so we arrive mathematically second in the championship, so I’m happy.
“We had too many zeros during the season, but in the end, from Brno to now, we gained a lot of points because we got a lot of speed and I’m really happy in the way we working during the season.
“At the moment, Marc is a bit faster than us, so we have to continue to work, like we have done this year, and we’ll be more ready next year.
“I think from what happened in Phillip Island, what happened during the second half of the season and what happened today, we have a lot of feedback and data to work on that and to try to be more ready next year."
