KTM's Smith struggling to 'pull the pin' in Phillip Island test
KTM rider Bradley Smith says his lowly position in MotoGP's Phillip Island test is down to not committing to "pulling the pin" over a single lap
The Briton, who joins MotoGP's newest manufacturer after four seasons with Tech3 Yamaha, has been slowest in the 22-rider field on both days of running so far.
Smith was 3.193 seconds off the pace set by Marc Marquez on Wednesday, and then 2.857s behind Maverick Vinales on Thursday with a best lap of 1m31.704s.
Team-mate Pol Espargaro was more than a second faster, albeit still only 19th in Thursday's order.
KTM's maiden MotoGP bike requires a more physical style, and Smith says not pushing hard enough on a single lap accounts for at least part of the deficit.
"I am behind where I should be over the one lap, but I'm quite pleased with my pace on old tyres," admitted Smith.
"I go a tenth slower on a full race distance as I do on one lap.
"So it shows I am being a bit of a pansy when it comes to pulling the pin [for a hot lap].
"It seems to be the high-speed corners where I'm struggling the most, I just need to go with a little bit more commitment.
"But it's easier said than done when you are riding a new motorcycle."
Smith noted that Vinales' advantage at the front of the field on Thursday - 0.462s - had an impact on the overall margins.
"I think anything less than two seconds [off the pace] is acceptable," he said.
"Maverick did a flying lap today, if you look at everybody else, Pol was under the two seconds.
"So I think if you're 1.6-1.7s at the end of tomorrow off the best lap time, I think it will be a good job."
Despite being bottom of the times, Smith says he is satisfied with the progress KTM is making ahead of its first race as a full MotoGP entrant in Qatar next month.
"The package is great, the team is doing a fantastic job," he said.
"The guys react, they know what to do now, it's just the case of me then taking it to that next level.
"I can't say I'm unlocking the full potential when I can do the same lap time on full race distance tyres, especially here at Phillip Island where everybody knows there is quite a drop off here.
"It's just down to me to kind of up my game a little bit."
MotoGP testing: 'Something not right' for Jorge Lorenzo at Ducati
Phillip Island MotoGP test: Yamaha's Vinales finishes on top
MotoGP's first Indian GP hit by visa chaos as some teams and riders unable to fly
MotoGP's first Indian GP hit by visa chaos as some teams and riders unable to fly MotoGP's first Indian GP hit by visa chaos as some teams and riders unable to fly
Espargaro: Indian GP safety issues show how united MotoGP riders are
Espargaro: Indian GP safety issues show how united MotoGP riders are Espargaro: Indian GP safety issues show how united MotoGP riders are
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
Aprilia boss: Smith a "valid option" for MotoGP race seat in 2021
Aprilia boss: Smith a "valid option" for MotoGP race seat in 2021 Aprilia boss: Smith a "valid option" for MotoGP race seat in 2021
Savadori replaces Smith in Aprilia MotoGP line-up for final three rounds
Savadori replaces Smith in Aprilia MotoGP line-up for final three rounds Savadori replaces Smith in Aprilia MotoGP line-up for final three rounds
Electronics let down "heartbroken" Smith in MotoGP French GP
Electronics let down "heartbroken" Smith in MotoGP French GP Electronics let down "heartbroken" Smith in MotoGP French GP
Ricciardo F1 return in doubt for Qatar, Lawson set for more races
Ricciardo F1 return in doubt for Qatar, Lawson set for more races Ricciardo F1 return in doubt for Qatar, Lawson set for more races
Alpine ready to test Schumacher for WEC drive
Alpine ready to test Schumacher for WEC drive Alpine ready to test Schumacher for WEC drive
Ferrari brings new F1 car floor to Japan in bid to boost efficiency
Ferrari brings new F1 car floor to Japan in bid to boost efficiency Ferrari brings new F1 car floor to Japan in bid to boost efficiency
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen dominant in FP1 as Red Bull hunt constructors' crown
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen dominant in FP1 as Red Bull hunt constructors' crown F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen dominant in FP1 as Red Bull hunt constructors' crown
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years
How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years
Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?
Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?
How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.