Sprint top tens for Honda riders in Misano
Misano World Circuit Marco SimoncelliLuca Marini and Johann Zarco finished the San Marino Sprint Race in ninth and tenth respectively, with Diogo Moreira just behind in eleventh
Saturday at the Grand Prix of San Marino was a positive day for Luca Marini who converted his direct entry into Q2 to a strong sixth place - his best grid position so far this 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.
Following a demanding Q2 session, Frenchman Zarco lined up 11th on the grid for the Sprint. He followed Marini into a strong start, but following overnight rain, the track conditions changed significantly between the morning session and the Sprint, making it difficult for the Zarco to find the consistency needed to fight for points. He crossed the line in 10th place, gathering valuable information ahead of Sunday’s race.
Diogo Moreira also experienced a challenging qualifying session, and had to start the Sprint from 15th on the grid. The Brazilian made a good start and immediately gained several positions, putting himself in the fight for the points. However, struggling slightly through Turns 11 and 12, Moreira eventually crossed the finish line in 11th position.
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, where Marini will start as the top Honda from the second row in sixth.
“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.”
“After a good Friday, we wanted to do better today. I tried to manage everything as well as possible, but we were missing some speed. I could have done better in qualifying this morning, but I made a mistake and then got a penalty, which I totally accept. During the race, with the medium rear tyre, we got some good information for tomorrow. I did some good laps, but they were not enough to get into the points. We’ll try again tomorrow.”
“After a good Friday, we wanted to do better today. I tried to manage everything as well as possible, but we were missing some speed. I could have done better in qualifying this morning, but I made a mistake and then got a penalty, which I totally accept. During the race, with the medium rear tyre, we got some good information for tomorrow. I did some good laps, but they were not enough to get into the points. We’ll try again tomorrow.”
“I gave it everything today; I had nothing more to give or improve. I wanted to score some points, but there are two corners where I lose everything, and that compromised my laps. I tried to recover positions and did everything I could, trying different things. We’ll try to take a step forward tomorrow and see what happens!”
“I gave it everything today; I had nothing more to give or improve. I wanted to score some points, but there are two corners where I lose everything, and that compromised my laps. I tried to recover positions and did everything I could, trying different things. We’ll try to take a step forward tomorrow and see what happens!”
“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.”
