Suzuki winglets ‘not a huge improvement’

Suzuki rider Aleix Espargaró has admitted that the GSX-RR’s new front winglets do not make a huge improvement to the handling of his bike – but that with every advantage necessary at the minute in MotoGP, the team will nonetheless continue to use them going forwards.

Testing the aerodynamic devices for the first time at Jerez, initially for a brief period in Friday’s FP1 and 2 sessions and then on Monday’s one-day test, he admitted to only gaining slightly from them afterwards.

“We had the chance to make a back-to-back test with the winglets: they are not a huge improvement, but they help a little: If we can get even a very small advantage out of them, for sure it was worthy to try them.”

His views were echoed by teammate Maverick Viñales, who said that he doesn’t expect them to help in qualifying – but that any marginal gains are worth taking.

“The feeling with the winglets is that their help is not a huge improvement, but for sure they may help in certain situations. They will not cut tenths in the time attack, but they allow me to ride a little more comfortably and this is a very big help over the race distance.”