“Scott Redding States that Andrea Iannone’s Performances Have Come as No Surprise to Him.”
“In the 2024 season thus far, Scott Redding has accumulated only 10 points across six races, a total surpassed by both Andrea Iannone and fellow WorldSBK rookie Nicolo Bulega in their debut race at Phillip Island.
“Iannone, making a sensational return to racing after four years away, has been in remarkable form, while Bulega has equally impressed, leading the world championship ahead of his Aruba.it Ducati teammate Alvaro Bautista and Alex Lowes.”
“Redding, as the Bonovo Action BMW rider, wasn’t surprised by the impressive performances of both riders, as he expected the caliber of results they’ve showcased.
“Bulega, in Redding’s view, has demonstrated exceptional talent, stepping up to the challenge with confidence and a stress-free approach from the get-go.
“He mentioned, ‘Bulega is a good rider, and it’s a sink-or-swim situation, and he’s definitely swimming. He’s shown strong performance since day one, brimming with confidence.’
“Redding acknowledged that while Bulega might still be adjusting to the racing aspect, he’s impressed considering his rookie status.
“Regarding Iannone, Redding highlighted the doubts circulating around him but personally believed in his potential to challenge for podiums or secure a spot on it right from Australia.
“Reflecting on his own experiences racing against Iannone, Redding stated, ‘I’ve raced against him throughout my career. You don’t lose the skills of a rider of his caliber after a few years away. He’s as aggressive as ever, battling hard, and he’s a valuable asset for the WorldSBK paddock.’
“Shifting focus back to BMW, Redding emphasized the support of their top-level riders, benefiting from a stellar test team that includes Bradley Smith and former 2014 WorldSBK champion Sylvain Guintoli.”
“I believe the test team has been exceptional, and it’s something we’ve been advocating for since the beginning, although it took a while to come to fruition,” Redding began.
“In my opinion, the test team isn’t fully operational yet; they’re still at the stage of understanding the direction before delving into material and testing.
“They essentially started from scratch, which, in my view, was a wise decision. Over the years, with different riders and crews, it’s easy to veer off course. Chris Gonschor was determined to build it up and emphasized that it would take time.
“Toprak Razgatlioglu joining the team means he doesn’t have to concern himself with this aspect. In contrast, I was juggling between developing a winning bike and racing it, which could lead to getting lost in testing and racing.
“Now, we race the bike to see if we can enhance its speed through fine-tuning, which has benefited all the riders.
“Previously, with Michael [Van der Mark] out and myself being one of the faster BMW riders in previous years, it often revolved around my needs. I felt like I was steering the ship. But now, there’s someone else taking the helm, dictating what we need as a team and manufacturer, and it’s a more cohesive approach.
“I believe it’s the best decision BMW has made.”
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