O’Kane will be Locatelli💝’s crew chief for the 2024 WorldSBK season but is still on MotoGP duty until after this weeken𝕴d in Valencia. 

Locatelli, who is a 14-time podium finisher in WorldSBK, has been given a new cr𝕴ew chief after the Pata Yamaha outfit moved Andrew Pitt to Jonꦗathan Rea’s side of the garage. 

• Jonathan Rea: “Biggest area of impr🌜ovement needed is still me” 
• Locatell🅘i ‘understood a lot’ with Jerez test, expects another ‘big step’

But with O’Kane still unable to join him, Locatelli worked with Damiano Evangelisti at Jerez for the most recent two-d💝ay test, who is usually Gardner’s cr𒁃ew chief at GRT Yamaha.

“I worked with Damiano during these two days. I want to thank GRT because he was able to work with us,” Locatelli tol𝐆d WorldSBK.com. 

“I had a good relationship with him immediately, probably 💧because he’s also Italian. I already know him, so it was nice to work with him, because sometimes it’s nice to meet new people, to see other people working. 

“It was i💧nteresting. It was a good opportunity to work with him and try to make a step ꧂and also, I think he helped us a lot to help make an improvement.”

Rea on the other hand has been ꧑able to work with his new crew chief Pitt, and Locatelli believes the six-time champion can benefit hugely. 

Locatelli stated: “To see Andrew on the other side of the box is 🔯a bit strange! He worked with♎ me for three years, but our relationship is good because we’re friends. 

“I think, f💯or Jonathan, it could be different; he’s also a friend of his. It’ll be interesting. Andrew can do a really good BBQ in Phillip Island to prepare for Jonathan’s weekend! 

“🥀Also, the language is the same as Jonathan’s but he can also have another possibility to work with a crew chief who was a rider. 

“It’s probably something that can help Jonathan to im𝐆prove a little bit and come to our box and immediately try to have a good feeling and I think Andrew is a rea🌌lly good person for this job.”