BMW WorldSBK boss Shaun Muir has identified mechanical grip as a key area for improvement over the next couple of races.

The former BSB racer saw that both Tom Sykes and outgoing rider Markus Reiterberger struggled for edge grip at Portimao in race trim but on the Pirelli qualifying tyre, Sykes is able to lap at the same pace as Jonathan Rea and Alvaro Bautista.

It has been lack of grip, edge grip, and we really struggled with both Markus and Tom today. We know that we need to go and look for the chassis balance,” said Muir.

“For sure we know about the speed deficit but the big issue at the moment is to find more mechanical grip. If we succeed in this and find more mechanical grip, which will be more from the chassis and suspension, then I think we can make another step forward.

In these hot temperatures and in a race condition where you have 20 laps you really feel the effect of that. Unfortunately both riders struggled throughout.

“We could see that when we do have grip, when we have a qualifying tyre in, Tom is probably one of the fastest riders on the grid.

“This to highlight that if we can introduce more grip on race tyre conditions then we will have a much better pace in the race. This is something what we have learned again this weekend and we will work hard to improve that for the next rounds.”