Source: Supplied.

Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Andrea Iannone says a newfound direction with the outfit and GSX-RR has him confident in the future, which was evident over the weekend with a respectable performance at Phillip Island’s 16th round of the MotoGP World Championship.

The Italian found himself well inside the multi-rider battle for second, however a lack of grip in the dying stages saw him relegated to sixth.

“The race for sure has been a positive one for us,” said Iannone. “It’s been a while since we fought in the leading group for the whole race. I’m happy for how we’ve worked during this weekend – the whole team and Suzuki did a great job in the last two races.

“We all know that we still have to improve, following this direction we’ve found, and I’m confident for the future. I’m disappointed that I couldn’t finish in a better position, but I couldn’t feel enough grip to make use of our acceleration and keep up with the others.

“Anyway I gave it all I had. In the very last laps I also found myself in third and second place, but I had to let up because I couldn’t really control the bike. I want to thank the whole team and the Company and I hope I will be able to reward them with a positive 2018.”

The Suzuki rider sits 15th in the championship standings as the prestigious series heads to Malaysia this weekend for the penultimate stop on the calendar.