Marco Melandri talks BMW
Marco Melandri has spoken out for the first time about his switch to BMW ahead of the 2012 World Superbike Championship, revealing that he sees both potential and 'difficulties' in the manufacturer's package.
Though he has participated in three tests with BMW since he concluded his maiden WSBK season with Yamaha at Portimao, contractual obligations have prevented Melandri from discussing his first impressions of the S1000RR.
With his Yamaha contract having now expired, Melandri has spoken to Gazzetta dello Sport about his decision to join BMW and not, as was rumoured, Aprilia, the former MotoGP rider stating that 'Biaggi's contract excludes an Italian rider as a team mate'.
Opting to join Leon Haslam at BMW, Melandri is confident the S1000RR has the potential to be a front runner, even if he concedes there is still much to improve upon.
"We don't want to teach the Germans how to make motorcycles, we only want to offer our experience. We entered the pit garage on tiptoe, but they are curious to learn about how we work.
"I saw enough during the first test with the S1000RR to realise that there will be a lot of difficulties. One of the priorities will be to keep up the team morale when things don't go well. On a fast lap we are still far away, but over a race distance, I'm sure I can come up with more. I can't wait to start."
Melandri finished runner-up to Carlos Checa in 2011, while BMW - which is yet to win a race in three seasons of WSBK racing - ended the year fourth in the manufacturers' standings.
