Mir and Marini set sights on Saturday gains in Barcelona
Circuit de Barcelona-CatalunyaWith Friday practice completed, the Repsol Honda Team set their focus on making overnight improvements to close the gap to the front.
Work began immediately at the Catalan GP for Joan Mir and Luca Marini as the pair seized the opportunity to make the most of the all-important track time. Ending a second back on the leaders in the morning, the pair targeted further improvements from their mid 1’40 lap times.
Mir would lead the way for the Repsol Honda Team in the afternoon session with a best time of 1’40.256. The #36 had felt strong in the morning and was hoping for further progress in the afternoon. A lack of grip around the track held him back when the moment came to do his final time attack. Repeating the positive advancements of the Spanish GP and French GP remains his target for the remainder of the weekend.
Ending less than a tenth back on his teammate, Marini set a best time of 1’40.318 but felt he had more to give after making a mistake and being caught out by a yellow flag right at the end of the session. Feeling better on the bike, the Italian was pleased with how his opening day of practice went and is ready to make more steps forward tomorrow.
Both Repsol Honda Team riders will head into Q1 tomorrow morning with improvements at the forefront of their minds. With the top 19 premier class riders split by less than a second at the close of Friday, there’s plenty of positions to be made with just a few tenths.
I felt really good in the morning, and I was expecting to keep building. Today was a tricky day and we couldn’t accomplish what we wanted in the afternoon. There is still room to improve and in the last few races we have been able to take this step overnight, so we stay focused on finding this. We will also have to pay close attention to how the track is evolving with the grip over the weekend.
I felt really good in the morning, and I was expecting to keep building. Today was a tricky day and we couldn’t accomplish what we wanted in the afternoon. There is still room to improve and in the last few races we have been able to take this step overnight, so we stay focused on finding this. We will also have to pay close attention to how the track is evolving with the grip over the weekend.
Speaking truthfully, I think our Friday was better than what the time sheets show today. I made a mistake during the time attack right at the end and there was a yellow flag so I wasn’t able to close a really strong lap. The positive is that the bike has improved and there is still more margin there. It’s time to work together, all Honda riders, and keep improving.
Speaking truthfully, I think our Friday was better than what the time sheets show today. I made a mistake during the time attack right at the end and there was a yellow flag so I wasn’t able to close a really strong lap. The positive is that the bike has improved and there is still more margin there. It’s time to work together, all Honda riders, and keep improving.
