Malaysia GP: ENCOURAGING START TO THE PENULTIMATE ROUND OF THE SEASON
Despite tremendous conditions, Stefan Bradl enjoyed his ride aboard the Aprilia RS-GP during Friday’s free practice sessions.
Unlike the Australian Grand Prix one week ago, the 25-year-old German was able to find his performance again from the very first laps today. Bradl was recorded with the 14 fastest lap time this morning before he was able to confirm his morning performance during FP2 this afternoon.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), FP1: 14. – 2´02.314 (15/17) / FP2: 15. – 2´02.118 (14/16):
“Since my move in Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, the Australian Grand Prix weekend was the most complicated yet. Most probably, the low temperature conditions penalized us, making us struggling more than usual. In Malaysia we face completely different conditions and most important we have some good references from the winter testing’s earlier this year. So it was a more positive opening day than one week ago at Phillip Island today. I’m happy to be back to be capable of demonstrating a performance which is more in line with our level. I had a good feeling with the bike and the tyres, which allowed me to push at its limit, and I’m already quite pleased with the setup with which we started the weekend. In any case, we still have a few ideas to improve further. In fact, we need a bit more grip in corner entry, which force me to take care, especially as soon the tyre performance start to drop down. We will also try to improve our braking stability. Overall it was a positive day at all. Hopefully we are able to continue like this tomorrow.”
Combined Practice Times FP1/FP2:
1 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 2´00.246 (FP2)
2 Dani PEDROSA / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 2´00.293 +0.047 (FP2)
3 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 2´00.472 +0.226 (FP2)
15 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 2´02.118 + 1.872 (FP2)