Day of progress for the Repsol Honda Team in Japan
Mobility Resort MotegiSteps forward for both Luca Marini and Joan Mir, the Italian taking a satisfying 13th while Mir’s performance is restricted by an early fall.
Hard work and a methodical approach paid off for Luca Marini on Saturday in Japan as he was able to make significant progress over the course of the day. Qualifying down in 20th, the only way was forward as the field lined up for the 12-lap Sprint in Japan. With the conditions changing minute-by-minute, a calm and focused approach would be the order of the day. Able to run within four tenths of his best race lap, a 1’45.418, Marini picked his way through the field to end in 13th and take top Honda honours.
Dark clouds gathering overhead throughout Free Practice 2 set the scene for a dramatic Qualifying. Joan Mir entered Q1 primed to fight for the transfer positions after making progress in the morning. The tricky conditions with small, intermittent showers of rain made for a tough session where Mir ended seventh. A lightning start saw the #36 gain places straight away in the Sprint, but a crash would nullify that progress. Remounting, Mir showed impressive pace as he consistently lapped in the mid to low 1’45s, matching the speed shown by the top ten. He retired at the end of the race.
Both riders were able to accomplish significant progress overnight and take positives from their respective performances. Sunday offers another chance for the Repsol Honda Team to not just focus on the positives but also demonstrate them. The 24-lap race is scheduled to start at 14:00 Local Time and is set to be another edge of your seat affair.
I was surprised at our pace; it was very close to the group in front of me and our position isn’t too bad, so I have to be satisfied with today when we look at where we were yesterday and where we started the race. We knew coming here that the layout of this track would be tough for us, but we have been able to fight and make progress which is the key. Now we need to check the data of the other riders to see what they are doing differently. Some more things to try in the morning to make another step, but we are making progress and able to do this at each race now.
I was surprised at our pace; it was very close to the group in front of me and our position isn’t too bad, so I have to be satisfied with today when we look at where we were yesterday and where we started the race. We knew coming here that the layout of this track would be tough for us, but we have been able to fight and make progress which is the key. Now we need to check the data of the other riders to see what they are doing differently. Some more things to try in the morning to make another step, but we are making progress and able to do this at each race now.
It is easy to look at our position and be upset, but when we look at what happened today was a day of positives. On the first lap I almost high-sided at Turn 10 and then when I arrived to Turn 11 I couldn’t stop so I went into the gravel. I recovered and after a couple of laps I was able to really unleash my speed and I have to say I am happy with my pace. The speed was that same as the guys fighting in the top eight and we have to be happy with that level of improvement. A better grid position would help us a lot. Tomorrow I am feeling confident for the longer race with the speed we showed today.
It is easy to look at our position and be upset, but when we look at what happened today was a day of positives. On the first lap I almost high-sided at Turn 10 and then when I arrived to Turn 11 I couldn’t stop so I went into the gravel. I recovered and after a couple of laps I was able to really unleash my speed and I have to say I am happy with my pace. The speed was that same as the guys fighting in the top eight and we have to be happy with that level of improvement. A better grid position would help us a lot. Tomorrow I am feeling confident for the longer race with the speed we showed today.
