Moreira secures Mugello Q2 place
Autodromo Internazionale del MugelloDiogo Moreira experienced his best Friday yet as a MotoGP rider, securing a place in Q2 at Mugello
With less then a second between the top 18 riders, there was nothing to choose between the field as they battled for the top on Friday afternoon at Mugello.
On a circuit that he likes and enjoys, Pro Honda LCR's Diogo Moreira delivered his strongest Friday performance of the season. The Brazilian rider had a good feeling with the bike and, for the first time in his rookie MotoGP career, secured a direct-to-Q2 place. Ahead of tomorrow's Qualifying and Sprint at Mugello, Moreira and his crew are determined to make the most of this opportunity to fight for a strong result.
Of the two Honda HRC Castrol riders, Joan Mir was able to edge ahead on Friday. Ending the day in 15th with a best lap time of 1’45.595, Mir was just over four tenths off a spot in the top ten. Improving his confidence in corner entry should help Mir to make the small, but necessary step, to challenge for the top two come Q1.
Luca Marini was expecting a lot more than what he ultimately achieved on Friday as he sought to improve his feeling on soft tyres. A pair of red flags interrupted the afternoon and meant the #10 lost the full benefit from one of his soft tyre runs. Heading into Saturday in a more challenging position than expected, Marini remains determined to turn his home weekend around.
Riding in place of the injured Johann Zarco, British rider Cal Crutchlow makes a return to the LCR family this weekend. He was able to make various improvements throughout the day, and provided positive, constructive feedback to his crew.
In the past, I’ve always loved this circuit and have great memories here. With a MotoGP bike, it’s more demanding, and it’s harder to put together a fast lap. I’m happy with today’s performance. We need to keep working like this and try to achieve the best possible result tomorrow and on Sunday.
In the past, I’ve always loved this circuit and have great memories here. With a MotoGP bike, it’s more demanding, and it’s harder to put together a fast lap. I’m happy with today’s performance. We need to keep working like this and try to achieve the best possible result tomorrow and on Sunday.
A strange day, not the performance I was expecting, and the feeling is not there. I’m not able to give my best in the areas where normally I am stronger, and we are missing a little bit everywhere unfortunately. Quite a lot of work to do tonight but I am optimistic that Honda and my guys can find something. The times are really close, so it is not going to take a major revolution to gain a lot of ground.
A strange day, not the performance I was expecting, and the feeling is not there. I’m not able to give my best in the areas where normally I am stronger, and we are missing a little bit everywhere unfortunately. Quite a lot of work to do tonight but I am optimistic that Honda and my guys can find something. The times are really close, so it is not going to take a major revolution to gain a lot of ground.
I started with a new soft rear, and I couldn’t get the feeling. When I changed to the medium the feeling was better, so we worked to adjust things in this direction. At the end of the session, I put the soft again, then there was a red flag, and I lost the feeling quite a bit. We need to check deeply tonight to understand why we couldn’t improve more because I was not able to achieve the level I wanted. We keep working to find what we need for tomorrow.
I started with a new soft rear, and I couldn’t get the feeling. When I changed to the medium the feeling was better, so we worked to adjust things in this direction. At the end of the session, I put the soft again, then there was a red flag, and I lost the feeling quite a bit. We need to check deeply tonight to understand why we couldn’t improve more because I was not able to achieve the level I wanted. We keep working to find what we need for tomorrow.
The truth is that it's been an intense day, but I enjoy riding the bike. I’m just not as strong as I used to be when changing direction. I’m happy with what we’ve done today. I know everyone in the box, and that makes things easier. My goal is to help the team as much as possible, do our best, improve lap by lap, and enjoy the weekend together.
The truth is that it's been an intense day, but I enjoy riding the bike. I’m just not as strong as I used to be when changing direction. I’m happy with what we’ve done today. I know everyone in the box, and that makes things easier. My goal is to help the team as much as possible, do our best, improve lap by lap, and enjoy the weekend together.
