Redding “really frustrated” with costly intermediate tyre call

In the closing stages of the wet-dry Sachsenring race, Redding was looking good for a second consecutive podium finish, having made a relatively early change to his second bike as conditions improved.

However, the Briton was sent out with intermediate tyres while most opted for slicks for the second stint - and as his rubber wore in the latter stages, Redding was powerless to defend attacks from Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso, dropping back to fourth at the finish.

“I’m really frustrated,” admitted Redding. “I had a bad start but I was building my confidence in the rain, taking a lot of risks like I did in Assen.

“Then I thought ‘I’ll be one of the earlier ones to go with the [change of] tyre, I’ll take the risk.’

“I always say [pitting] eight or 10 laps before [the end] that the intermediate would be destroyed, and we were in about that time.

“It’s hard because you can’t communicate with the pits – what do they do? Do they keep the intermediates, do I come in and the wheels aren’t on [the bike]? It’s one of those things.”

Experience lacking

Redding added that his lack of experience with the intermediate tyre, new to MotoGP for this season, may have a played a part in the team’s decision not to go straight to slicks.

“If the other guys went for intermediates, I wouldn’t have had a problem,” said the 23-year-old. “The problem is they went to slicks, and maybe that was from experience.

“Some of them have used them in the past, I haven’t, so I can accept that.

He concluded: “I am happy to finish fourth. I’m just a bit bitter knowing I could’ve been second and there was nothing I could do.”