Simoncelli gets new fairing for Estoril

MARCO SIMONCELLI has spent time in Honda HRC's wind tunnel in Japan to develop the aerodynamics of his team's RC212V MotoGP racer in order to accommodate his over-size frame.

It seems Simoncelli, who took a sixth place at the last MotoGP event at Phillip Island, is struggling to tucked behind the bike's small fairing and needs a redesigned front cowl in order to accommodate his lanky build (more likely for his Afro hair do - Ed).

The Gresini Honda rider said:

“I was really satisfied with the race at Phillip Island but I want to see my performances reflected in numbers. It was a nice race in Australia but it was still a sixth place in the end so I need to work on my consistency. It won't be easy but that is what I will be trying to do alongside the team.

"After Phillip Island I had a 'bonus trip' to Japan for another visit to the wind tunnel. Honda are looking at using a new cowling so that I can tuck my oversize frame in. As soon as I got home to Italy I started thinking about Estoril, a circuit I like a lot. I won there last year and finished second in 2008 and it seems to be a place that suits my riding style so if we can find a good feeling with the bike I'm sure I can have another good race.”