"If we don't make it onto the podium here, but are fighting for the top five, that's OK..."

After a successful pre-season, Scott Redding is 'closer' to where he needs to be with the MGM Bonovo Team.

The British rider has returned to Ducati machinery after three years with BMW, he may be in a satellite team but he has large ambitions. Redding ended the final pre-season test in Phillip Island in 10th place on the timesheets.

However, his and his rival's true pace will not be visible until the first round of the season begins.

"In the seven hours here I drove more laps than in the whole of the previous season," Redding told Speedweek.com.

"In Portimao, we were in the middle of nowhere. For here we made some changes to the setup, now I have a package that I am quite happy with. In the tests in Jerez and Portimao, we hardly changed anything except the settings of the suspension elements, here we focused on the chassis. I needed more feeling on the brakes, which I have now.

"In Portimao, I had no confidence in the electronics, when I accelerated I didn't know what would happen. Here we worked on a new strategy, now we know what the path could look like. We are getting closer and closer to where we need to be."

"Apart from the fact that I'm not getting paid, I'm having the best season of my life."

The 32-year-old went on to discuss his first few months with his new team and set himself some goals for the season and the opening round at Phillip Island.

"I'm having so much fun with this team," Redding stated.

"Apart from the fact that I'm not getting paid, I'm having the best season of my life. I feel like I did many years ago when I enjoyed racing. We go out to eat together in the evening, talk nonsense with each other, but are focused when it matters. They all work very well together.

"I can sit in the pit with confidence, they believe in me and are patient with me. We have to build everything up slowly, there's no point in rushing this process. We're a bit behind in terms of testing time, but that's OK.

"If we don't make it onto the podium here, but are fighting for the top five, that's OK. We can't expect to win the first race. Of course, that's what we all want, but we also have to be realistic.

"The goal is to get closer to the top. We're doing that step by step. I feel more relaxed and confident than ever before."