MOTOGP: Smith keeping open mind on electronics

Tech 3 Yamaha rider Bradley Smith says he is keeping an open mind about MotoGP's new electronics, before testing with them for the first time in Malaysia next week.

The satellite rider did not try the new Magneti Marelli control ECU during the post-season testing last November at Valencia, instead focusing on the other 2016 change, to Michelin tires. Armed with that knowledge, Smith will get his first taste of the electronics at Sepang in the February 1-3 test.

"As a team we decided that we just wanted to try the one thing at a time, because we didn't want to confuse anything," Smith said of the Valencia test. Now we just tested the tires, we believe that we have a good base, and then from Malaysia we will start to ride with the new electronics."

The new software has been one of the major talking points over the MotoGP off-season, dubbed as "a step backwards" by several riders during the Valencia test.

Smith said he had tried to ignore those comments, and instead approach the test with a clean slate.

"Obviously within the factory there is a lot that I listen to," the British rider said. "I listen to Jorge [Lorenzo] and Valentino [Rossi] and hear their point of view, but in terms of the other riders, it just completely depends on which bike they have.

"The Honda reacts differently to Ducati and Ducati to the Suzuki and Suzuki to the Aprilia, so I try not to muddy the water too much or get any preconceived ideas. I just really try to focus on my own feedback and work, if I'm struggling a little bit, maybe lean towards the factory boys for a bit of help.

"I think its my hands, my butt and my feet that are feeling all of these sensations, I need to just make sure they are the right ones for me to go fast."

Originally on Autosport.com