Dovizioso: Tyre change harmed Honda

Honda was unable to match Ducati, Yamaha and Suzuki during the pre-season tests and has played down its expectations for this weekend's season-opening Qatar Grand Prix.

Although Dovizioso's team-mate Dani Pedrosa switched to Bridgestones for the final four races of 2008, the Italian believes Honda was still at a costly experience deficit to most of its rivals when the now mandatory Bridgestone control tyres were introduced in testing.

"When we changed the tyre it was so difficult," said Dovizioso. "We didn't have enough data to work on that. The new rules cut some days off the tests, so we arrive not in the perfect situation.

"The feeling with the Bridgestones is really good, we just need to improve the settings for the tyre and also I need to learn a little bit how I need to ride with the tyre and especially the bike."

He hopes that he can take a step forward at Losail as he has already tested at the track - and having beaten Valentino Rossi to fourth on his MotoGP debut there a year ago.

"Last year the first race for me in MotoGP was very nice," said Dovizioso.

"I like this track and we did a test here so we have some data with my new bike and my new team. We arrive here not at 100 per cent or in a perfect situation, but we are still working to improve our situation."