Sick, battered Redding raring to race after travel nightmare

Redding was supposed to take one direct flight from Argentina to Austin, but ended up taking a huge detour on his way to the Circuit of the Americas – only arriving on Thursday lunchtime.

“It was definitely a long trip, we were supposed to leave Monday evening and get here on Tuesday morning and I just arrived a few hours ago,” he explained.

“It was supposed to be one direct flight, and it was a few bus rides of seven, eight hours and then hotels – I ended up taking three or four flights. But we’re here and ready to go racing.”

Sickness adds to his woes

To make matters worse, Redding arrived at the circuit with a gastric illness.

“I don’t feel great but it’s not going to hold me back,” he said. “Adrenaline can work wonders.

“I got a bit of a stomach bug, coming from Argentina – late nights, not much sleep because of all the travelling – the immune system is down and you catch stupid little things.

“I’ve had some medication, hopefully get a bit better and be at least ready for Sunday.”

Speaking about his injuries sustained when a tyre delamination inflicted nasty injuries to his body, Redding believes they won't affect him this weekend.

“Back has healed up quite well, bruising is coming out, not really any pain to be honest,” he reported. “My leg, which was one of the worst things, and my neck – all pain is all kinda gone now. It’s more a visible thing than a pain thing.

“After I did it, we did an X-ray because it didn’t feel right at the time. Turns out everything’s good.”

Electronic issue caused fuel starvation

Redding also revealed the problem that caused him to retire from the Termas de Rio Hondo race while running ahead of Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, who went on to finish third.

“It was gutting, more than frustrating. I didn’t do a bad job – and suddenly there was no power,” he said. “It was a communication between electronics and fuel – it happens sometimes, you know.

Yeah, it was frustrating but racing goes like that, and it’s a bit shit when it does. And when you saw what happened, it woulda been P3. It does hurt a little bit.”