Points on the Board for AirAsia Caterham Moto Racing in Jerez

2014-05-05 06:32
The Jerez Moto2 GP saw a successful end to the 26 lap race around the Spanish circuit for the AirAsia Caterham Moto Racing Team.

A hard fought eighth place finish from Johann Zarco rewarded the new team with their first points of the season, as well as their first ever points in the Constructor’s Championship for Caterham Suter.

Substituting for the injured Josh Herrin, Thai rider Ratthapark Wilairot put in a superb performance throughout the weekend and despite tricky track conditions, battled through the race to finish in an admirable nineteenth place.

Johann Zarco: P8

“I feel happy now because even if in 2014 I want victories and podiums, when I have a race like today where I’m not the best on a track, I must try to accept this kind of result. It is important because we have also been very unlucky until now and so to finish the race in eighth place is not bad and overall it is good for the team and for me to see the results of our hard work.

“Before going to Le Mans this will also help my mind because I will not have another week feeling frustrated, so for this reason I am very happy.

“The team worked well and we made a positive step in the morning warm up with our bike set-up. In the race it was still difficult due to the lack of grip on track, but the pace I had was the best that I could do. First the team is happy and when I see that, I feel I can be happy also.”

Ratthapark Wilairot: P19

“I had hoped we could get some points today because I made a good start and was near my teammate Zarco, so I thought we could go and keep the pace in the 1m44s, but after ten laps I couldn’t open the gas because we lost the grip. I tried to adapt my riding style but we lost a little bit in each sector and so at this point I felt it was best to concentrate on finishing the race.
We have been working really well all weekend and I didn’t want to make a mistake and crash for only one point.

“I have enjoyed it a lot here in Jerez and I must again thank the AirAsia Caterham Moto Racing Team for giving me this opportunity.”

Mia Sharizman – Team Principal:

“We are very happy with Zarco’s P8 today, it means that the team has managed to score points as well as get on the board for Caterham Suter as a constructor. This is historic for us as it is the first time and we are grateful to Zarco for a very good ride and also his team mate Wilairot for the effort that he has put in all weekend.

“There are a lot of people that we should not forget that are behind this team and we must thank AirAsia and the owners Tony Fernandes and Dato’ Kamarudin Bin Meranun, as well as the guys and everyone in the team who have really put all their effort in since the start.

“There’s obviously more to come and we will push on from here and we will continuously work tirelessly and push to get the best that we can.”

Source: Caterham Moto Racing Team

Click here to visit our forums to discuss this story