Comments from the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP riders after FP3 at the Emilia Romagna GP

2020-09-21 16:09
The pressure was on in this morning‘s FP3 session, with the entire MotoGP field in close contest to secure one of the ten Q2 spots up for grabs. However, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP riders got the job done. Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi set the 2nd and 8th fastest time respectively in the combined free practice timesheets and will both take part in Q2 later this afternoon.



FP3 sessions don‘t come much more competitive than this morning‘s edition, but the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team-mates were up for the challenge. Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi stood firm and both booked places in the top 10, thereby automatically promoting themselves to this afternoon‘s Q2 session.

Viñales used the first part of FP3 to improve his bike's race set-up, before he joined the battle for a top-10 placement. The Yamaha rider once again confirmed his soft-tyre pace. A strong 1‘31.185s, set on lap 19/19, secured him second position in the FP3 and combined free practice timesheets, 0.058s from first.

Rossi left it late to put in a hot lap, but five minutes were all The Doctor needed. He was holding 14th position in the provisional session rankings at the time but swiftly moved up to 7th with a 1‘31.680s on lap 21/23. The lap was fast enough to keep him inside the top 10 when the chequered flag came out, earning him sixth position in FP3 and eighth place in the combined results, 0.553s from the top.

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: 2nd | Best lap time: 1'31.185 (+0.058) | Laps: 19


I'm really happy because, somehow, we improved the race set-up quite a lot and that's something very positive for tomorrow. This makes me feel much calmer. Then, during the time attack, I did two good laps. I think we can still improve a little bit more. There were a lot of crashes in front of me, so that affected my focus a little bit, but anyway I'm very enthusiastic and happy. The team did a great job this morning, which was needed, because we were a bit lost with the race set-up earlier. So, I'm quite happy and confident. Now we aim for the front row, and then we will see what we can do tomorrow.




VALENTINO ROSSI
VALENTINO ROSSI


Position: 8th | Best lap time: 1'31.680 (+0.553) | Laps: 23

As always, the FP3 session is very important, because you have to stay in the top 10. In the end, it was a good practice this morning. I finished sixth in FP3 and did a good lap. In the combined practice results I am in P8, but the most important thing was to be inside the top 10. We are still working on the bike, because we have to improve. We will see this afternoon.





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Press Release - Audio File


NOTES



FP3 TEMPERATURES:

Air: 24°

Humidity: 60%

Ground: 21°

Source: Yamaha Motor Racing

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