Comments from Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP riders after FP3 in Jerez

2020-07-28 08:32
Following a tense FP3 session, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi will take part in Q2 later this afternoon at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto (Spain).



Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team-mates Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi used the majority of FP3 to prepare themselves for an intense battle in the final minutes of today‘s morning session. They finished in fifth and eighth place respectively, earning themselves direct entry in this afternoon‘s Q2 session.

Viñales was working on his bike‘s balance for 40 minutes of the available track time, so when he started the time attack, he was still ranked in fifth place thanks to his strong 1‘37.374s lap set in FP1. His first real hot lap attempt, a 1‘37.046s, set on his penultimate lap, secured him a solid fifth position in the FP3 and combined free practice timesheets, 0.240s from first.

Rossi left the box for his mini time attack with six minutes to go, eager to improve on his best time from FP3, which at that moment put him in 11th position. He needed to find 0.089s to bridge the gap to the top 10 and secure that all-important safe passage to Q2. The Italian pushed to the limit and set a best time of 1‘37.130s, taking eighth position in the FP3 and combined results, 0.324s from the front.

Viñales and Rossi will be back on track from 13:30 - 14:00 local track time (GMT+2) for FP4, followed by Q2 from 14:35 - 14:50.



Pictures for editorial use only. Copyright © 2020 Yamaha Motor Racing Srl


MAVERICK VIÑALES
MAVERICK VIÑALES


Position: 5th | Best lap time: 1'37.046 (+0.240) | Laps: 19

It has been a good practice, even though we had a little issue with one bike. This meant I couldn‘t do the time attack on this bike. I still liked it, but it was very important to be in Q2. We now also have a lot of data to improve that bike. Still, I felt so good on the track, especially concerning my rhythm. I‘m very happy, enthusiastic, and excited to be in Q2 and start qualifying.

Source: Yamaha Motor Racing

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