Bradley Smith is hoping to reward his home supporters with a top five result in Sunday’s British Grand Prix as he carries the burden of expectation. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider is the most realistic hope for home success in the premier class and is aiming to be the first satellite rider home this weekend.
Smith has secured his future with the Tech 3 squad for next season and while the stability enables him to enter his home race in relaxed mood, the 23 year old is no less motivated for the challenge ahead.
“When you confirm your future it’s a solid platform and it’s nice to have everything clear for 2015. I’ve ridden the MotoGP bike now for eighteen months and it’s nice to know I’ll do the same for the next eighteen. There’s a lot to do already though for the rest of this season so while we have everything sorted for the future, there are much more important things to worry about than that.”
“Top five is our aim. Both me and Pol need to push our team ahead of the Ducatis at the moment in the team standings so we need to get ahead of those red bikes. Fifth position is definitely a realistic goal for us and if I can qualify a little bit higher like I did in Brno, that’s the target. Our realistic goal is the top satellite bike.”
Born in nearby Oxford, the British Grand Prix is particularly special for Smith and with a year’s experience behind him on 1000cc machinery, he expects to take a step forward from his ninth place a year ago.
“It’s always nice to turn up at Silverstone, I only live 30 minutes away from the track, so it’s exciting to be here after doing my first British GP on a MotoGP bike last year. It was carnage inside our garage because of Mr Crutchlow! Last year was a struggle but I’m looking forward to coming here with twelve months more experience and I’m a lot happier with the bike this time around as well I hope to put on a good show. I’ve had some good results here in the past and I’m looking forward to continuing the form that I had in the last two races since the summer break.”
