Chris Walker’s focus is already beyond the X'mas festivities and on his next chance to get to know the FP1.

The Foggy PETRONAS Racing team set off for Phillip Island, Australia, on Jan 9 and Chris is itching to turn the initial familiarity work from Valencia in November into the hard currency of miles on track.

Chris said: “That first test was just to get a feel for the bike and to get comfortable. The important thing in Australia is to try to get it to work on the new tyres that Pirelli have developed for us. Hopefully we will have cured the front end chatter that both try and I were experiencing. I also want to get some good solid miles under our belt on a more up-to-date spec of engine. I know there is still work to go on the bike but I am confident we will be up there challenging sooner rather than later.

“The other thing I want to get from Australia is a good sun tan, as the weather here is miserable. But I did manage to get out for a round of golf with my old mechanic Dave Parkes. He is desperate to beat me after a few close calls and he was a few shots up before he choked on the closing holes. He was gutted when I beat him again!”