Malaysia GP: SIXTH ROW START BUT STRONG RACE PACE
Stefan Bradl failed to make it through Q2 during Saturday’s FP3 narrowly before a harmless low-sider robbed his last chance in Q1.
Changeable weather was again the reason for a hectic schedule on day two of practice at the series’ visit to Malaysia. Like the previous day, the track’s conditions were dry in the morning but due to a heavy downpour during Moto3 qualifying, this session has been red flagged because of too much water on the track. Afterwards the weather remained stable but the 5.5 kilometres long circuit was drying just slowly. The following MotoGP sessions with FP4 and two qualifying sessions took place on a wet or later a damp track. Stefan Bradl went confident into Saturday, to make it through Q2 again this time. But finally, he missed it by three tenth of a second after FP3. So Bradl was forced to try and make it during Q1 and he also was fast on a wet track. But a low-sider at turn nine was costly in terms of practice time as well he had to switch to his No. two bike. Till the end of the session he could do just two fast laps which were not enough.
The schedule for race day sees starting time for the penultimate MotoGP points haul this year at 3.00 pm local time which means 8.00 CET.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), Grid position 16th – 2´13.850 (5/5):
“I think, we were a bit unlucky regarding to our timing today. It requires a couple of laps to setup the mapping to the new engine. But it was required to configure it because the feeling is getting better and better under these conditions if you’re able to do as many as possible laps during an exit. However, I’m quite satisfied with our bas setup. At this track, there many good points for overtaking and our pace is definitely better than 16th spot on the grid. This means for dry and also under rainy conditions.”
MotoGP™ Qualifying Classification:
1 #4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO / ITA / Ducati Team / Ducati / 2´11.485
2 #46 Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 2´11.731 +0.246
3 #99 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 2´11.787 +0.302
16 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 2´13.850 (Q1)