Changing track conditions make qualifying tricky for Chantra and Ogura

Buddh International Circuit

Changing track conditions make qualifying tricky for Chantra and Ogura

After an excellent dry practice in the morning, which gave hope for a good result, the rain in the afternoon complicated the tyre management on a half-wet, half-dry track. But both are convinced they have the pace to stay in the leading group tomorrow.

Hiroshi Aoyama

IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia

We had a good session in the morning, with the dry track, showing our riders a good level of competitiveness. That is why we waited for a good grid position. But the Q2 was with the asphalt half dry and half wet. Both struggled a lot with these conditions, and they couldn't perform as well as they did in dry. Their grid position is disappointing for us; it isn't the best position for tomorrow, but if the race is dry, we're sure they will be able to regain positions.

Somkiat Chantra ³⁵

IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia

On P3, we were good, improving a lot in the sectors we struggled yesterday, and the lap time was good too. The mixed conditions we found on the Q2 made it challenging to manage the tire. We will see tomorrow. As usual, I will do my best.

Ai Ogura ⁷⁹

IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia

This morning, I felt good, improving my lap time from yesterday. We were in good condition for a dry Q2, but the track condition was mixed after the rain. Initially, the feeling wasn't bad, but I couldn't improve my lap time as soon I got a bad feeling on the front. It was a challenging Q2, but a learning session on the rain tire. I start from the middle of the grid, but I will try to push as much as I can from the beginning of the race. We're ready to gain a lot of positions.