Tech3 continuity good amid MotoGP change - Bradley Smith
The continuity of a fourth-straight MotoGP season with the Tech3 Yamaha team can only help amid MotoGP's off-season of change, Bradley Smith believes
The Briton will become the team's equal longest-serving MotoGP rider this season, with his fourth campaign equalling Colin Edwards's stay from 2008-11.
Smith, who also spent two seasons with Tech3 in Moto2 before stepping up to the premier class in 2013, feels that will help while working through the change in tyre supplier to Michelin and adapting to the new control ECU.
"Normally I would say familiarity is a negative, because you can get complacent," Smith told Autosport.
"But with these guys knowing me and putting in so much effort over the last few years in MotoGP and developing together, they know the things that we need to work on and the things that we don't.
"They know what things I don't feel and they know the things I'm super-sensitive with.
"I believe that it's really important to have a guy like Pol Espargaro in the other side of the garage, which makes me continue to be on my toes, because he is going to be fast out of the blocks, every weekend.
"I think I have all of the motivation I need from him on that side of the garage and then obviously with that homely feel with my technicians, I think I'm in a really strong position."
The 25-year-old was a model of consistency last year, as one of only two riders to finish every grand prix inside the top 10, with Valentino Rossi the other.
Even with the off-season changes, Smith feels the same approach can pay off again in 2016.
"Last year was an extremely successful season, finishing all 18 races inside the points, sixth overall in the championship," he reflected.
"And beating [Ducati factory rider] Andrea Dovizioso in the points, obviously was a big surprise for me.
"So when you actually sit here and go, 'OK, we're going to have to try to do that again', it's quite a daunting task.
"But I know how I did it, I know why I did it and I can implement that in the new season."
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