Jorge Lorenzo feels he had an “obligation” to try a “very new” strategy during the MotoGP Czech Grand Prix in order to remain in the hunt for the win through to the end.
In the previous German and Dutch Grands Prix, Lorenzo has faded from the leading group late due to tyre wear, and was wary of a repeat in the hot temperatures experienced at Brno on Sunday.
Opting to hold position following the start, Lorenzo was able to mount an assault for the win on teammate Andrea Dovizioso, but just missed out in the end.
Lorenzo praised his “very new”approach to the race, but admits he was losing under acceleration compared to Dovizioso and was forced into taking “some risks” in his attempts to take the lead.
“This time I needed to change the strategy, almost like an obligation, because especially I had some problems to finish the race on the front tyre on the right side,” he said.
“I needed to ride quite a bit different from the beginning, and taking profit of a not so good start, I decided to stay in third, fouth position for so long, to save energy, to save tyres.
“This was new for me, very new, but this time it pays off this new strategy because I have a very good speed and I was very competitive, especially on braking compared to Marc [Marquez] and Dovi.
“Unfortunately I lose slightly in the acceleration, so that made me brake a little bit far to them. I was catching them but maybe too far, this makes me take some risk in some chicanes to try to overtake Andrea – normally I would try in a normal braking [zone].
“It was as a great battle for the [top] three, probably I arrive too late in the first position, one lap more was enough, when I overtook Marc to try the last move to Andrea, because I got a very good speed at the end.”
Crutchlow move could have been safer
LCR's Cal Crutchlow made a ruthless pass on Lorenzo at Turn 12 mid-race. Lorenzo was seen shaking his head, and feels the move could have been “a little more safe”.
“I was shaking the head because he overtook me, we were more or less in the same level, but in different positions, and in the acceleration he didn't leave me space.
“He push me to the outside[of the track], we were very close and I was into the kerb or even in the grass so I needed to close the throttle.
“Just for that [I shook my head], I would have liked him to have given me a little bit more space, to be a little bit more safe and not need to change my line or close throttle.”
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