MOTOGP: Vinales could try new Suzuki frame

A new specification chassis could help Suzuki build on its strong start to MotoGP's Catalan Grand Prix at Barcelona, Maverick Vinales believes.

Neither Vinales nor teammate Aleix Espargaro have raced with Suzuki's 2016 frame, preferring the version they know from last year, albeit noting a rear-grip deficit.

Work at Suzuki's Japanese headquarters has resulted in a new evolution of the 2015 frame, and a second specification, which is based more on the unraced '16 variant.

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One day of work was dedicated to each frame during a two-day test at Valencia following the Italian Grand Prix, and Suzuki has brought both to Barcelona.

"Both were going really good because we were riding quite fast and I'm really happy because we found a little bit more grip, and that was important," Vinales said of the test. "In the races, when the grip goes down, we [have been] struggling a lot, a little bit more than the others."

Vinales used the 2015-based frame during Friday's two practice sessions, leading the way in the morning and finishing second in the afternoon, 0.242 seconds behind Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo.

With rear grip set to be crucial during Sunday's 25-lap race, Vinales is eager to try the other chassis during Saturday's practice sessions.

"After the test in Valencia we found one set-up that works quite good. We didn't try the new version of our new chassis, and if tomorrow we try it's going to be a big help for sure. It's going to help in the corners and a little bit of the first touch of the gas, the first part of the acceleration.

"I think that's important for the race because we won't need to stress so much the rear tires, if you win this little [extra] grip on the rear."

Originally on Autosport.com