Second row to Sprint points for Honda HRC Castrol’s Marini
Misano World Circuit Marco SimoncelliMixed Saturday fortunes for the Honda HRC Castrol duo as Luca Marini converted a season best Qualifying to Sprint points while Joan Mir battles through difficulties.
Another day of immaculate conditions at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli as overnight rain rapidly dried. Grandstands quickly filled and the home fans let their allegiances be known loud and clear as each rider was shown on screen.
Saturday at the Grand Prix of San Marino was a positive day for Luca Marini who converted his direct ticket into Q2 to a strong second row start. Sixth place marks his best grid position so far this season, bona fide proof of the step made last time out in Aragon and sets an optimistic outlook for the remainder of the season. Starting well when the lights went out on the 13-lap Sprint, the home hero latched onto the leading group to escape the pursuing pack. Finishing the race in ninth and comfortably clear of the next closest Honda in Johann Zarco, Marini is content with what he accomplished on Saturday and is eager for the lights to go out once again on Sunday for the main event.
Joan Mir endured a very complicated Saturday as he battled fatigue throughout the day. Unable to push to his maximum, the #36 only managed 17th on the grid before bringing his Honda RC213V home in 20th. If Mir’s condition does not improve overnight, Sunday’s outlook will be similar to today’s. A medical check before the Austrian GP should help reveal and resolve the underlying issue.
Sunday’s 27-lap Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera is scheduled to start at 14:00 Local Time, local lad Luca Marini is ready to give the fans something to cheer for and again take profit from his sixth place starting position.
“We had a good Qualifying session, I think close to the maximum that we are able to achieve at the moment. It’s positive that we have been able to make a step in Qualifying which has been an area we struggled with until now. This is really positive and overall, it was a positive day, of course starting in sixth I was hoping to defend this position, but we were just missing a little something in those opening laps and those guys at the front have something more at the moment. Like always some things to improve not just for tomorrow but also for the future. Sunday will be an interesting race if the condition of the track and the temperature stay like they were today.”
“We had a good Qualifying session, I think close to the maximum that we are able to achieve at the moment. It’s positive that we have been able to make a step in Qualifying which has been an area we struggled with until now. This is really positive and overall, it was a positive day, of course starting in sixth I was hoping to defend this position, but we were just missing a little something in those opening laps and those guys at the front have something more at the moment. Like always some things to improve not just for tomorrow but also for the future. Sunday will be an interesting race if the condition of the track and the temperature stay like they were today.”
“Today to be honest my battery was very low, I don’t know or fully understand why – I will go for some checks after this weekend to understand it more. I don’t have strength and I am not even feeling at my 50%. It was just about bringing the bike home, and I think it will be similar tomorrow to be honest. We take it day by day to let’s see how we wake up after some rest and do what we can for the team.”
“Today to be honest my battery was very low, I don’t know or fully understand why – I will go for some checks after this weekend to understand it more. I don’t have strength and I am not even feeling at my 50%. It was just about bringing the bike home, and I think it will be similar tomorrow to be honest. We take it day by day to let’s see how we wake up after some rest and do what we can for the team.”
