The Aragon Grand Prix sees Jake Dixon get his second run on the Yamaha YZR-M1, as he continues to deputise for Franky Morbidelli at Petronas SRT.
After experiencing his premier class debut at Silverstone in front of his home fans last time out, the Brit is aiming to continue making progress at the track that saw him claim his best Moto2 result to date. Having ended his 2020 visit to Alcañiz with a stellar fourth place finish, Dixon is hoping some of this experience will transfer over as he takes to the MotoGP bike for the second time, around the mountainous Spanish track.
“I’m really looking forward to Aragon this weekend,” Dixon said as he prepared for the Spanish visit.
“To have another chance to ride the Yamaha YZR-M1 again is just awesome. It has made me really happy. I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to ride the bike again and to see what I can do.
“I want to see how I can improve throughout the weekend again and try to close that gap to the front guys. Obviously they are the best in the world but I have a great team around me and I think it’s possible. I feel like I’m working well with the bike and I think we’ll take another step closer towards the front this weekend.
“It's obviously great to be back on the bike at a track I love a lot. I had my best result last year here on the Moto2 bike, so for me to come and ride the MotoGP bike here is good. I can't wait for it.”
Reflecting on what he feels he needs to be able to achieve his goal of reigning in the pack, in only his second weekend in the top flight, Dixon explained he’s already identified his weakest link.
“I think it'll be a combination of everything but I think for me, last time in Silverstone I just needed to focus more on mid part of braking. If I can just decelerate that bike a little bit in the mid phase I think my lap time will come a lot easier, because I'll be able to open the corner up a bit more than rather than braking too deep into the corner.”
It’s also a case of experience, and the more the better for the 25-year-old. “Just to be doing more laps I think,” he continued "will just naturally come more and more understanding of the tyres and everything.
“To your question about next year, no, the team, we haven't spoken about anything. At this moment in time I don't know where my future is or what I'm doing or what championship I'll be in,” he concluded bluntly, if a little forlorn.
