Honda boss Shuhei Nakamoto deems 2013 decisive for Dani Pedrosa – MotoGP news
Shuhei Nakamoto, vice president of Honda Racing Corporation thinks that the upcoming MotoGP season is Dani Pedrosa’s last chance to win a world champion title.
Pedrosa has not managed a MotoGP title in his 7 years of MotoGP career. Although his on-track performance is way better than what it used to be, still Pedrosa will have to realise that it is about time for him to give it all he has got to clinch his first
MotoGP title.
“I think if he doesn't take the title this year, he probably never will, but if he does then it's quite possible he'll go on to be champion several times,” Nakamoto said.
In light of Pedrosa’s 2012 run, Nakamoto is very hopeful that the Spaniard will be able to take away the championship title from his the reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo. In 2012, the competition between Pedrosa and Lorenzo was quite interesting. Pedrosa
kept the world champion on his toes, especially in the second half of the season. Pedrosa finished the season only 18 championship points behind Lorenzo, ending on the runners up podium. Even though Pedrosa could not claim the title, still he was able to manage
7 victories whereas Lorenzo managed only 6 season wins.
“He's beaten his big rival one on one, ridden through the rain to win at Malaysia, managed to keep his speed high even in wet conditions, which were previously his weak point. There's no question about it - Dani has progressed to another level and is now
a very strong competitor,” Nakamoto highlighted the improved riding skills of Pedrosa, while referring to the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix where Pedrosa managed victory over Lorenzo in wet conditions.
In 2012, Honda had introduced mid-season upgrades. Braking and cornering was improved in the upgrades and according to Nakamoto that was the transforming factor for Pedrosa in the latter half of the season.
Lorenzo will enter the upcoming season as favourite and speculations are that he will be able to defend his title. But to prove a point and to keep his spirits up, Pedrosa will definitely give Lorenzo tough time on the track and may even finish the season
with 2013’s crown.
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