GP Espana: FIRST TEST WITH WINGLETS
Stefan Bradl’s Aprilia RS-GP got an aerodynamic update for the Spanish Grand Prix, although the main task for Friday’s session was to evaluate tyre options for the Andalusian track.
Actually, it was just an upgrade in respect to the electronic announced but this afternoon Bradl’s RS-GP prototype appeared with the recently fashionable winglets on the bike’s fairing. This first test was very revealing so far. However, the 26-year-old MotoGP rider and his crew in Aprilia Racing Team Gresini were focussed on tyres for round four. Apart of that, Bradl was able to confirm his increasing form as he finished two times in P15 of the timesheets.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia) FP1: P15 – 1´42.132 (12/18) / FP2: P15 – 1´41.178 (16/19):
“Today we were working mainly with the tyres. However, the situation is a bit complicated, particularly the choice for the front. I definitely cannot say that I’m at 100 percent. But the good thing is that the lap times are not bad although with a few changes to the bike’s setup we’re able to improve further. In any case we must put together all positive things from today, trying to find more grip at the rear and to improve the feeling for the front. For the very first time we tested winglets on our bike today. It was just a first try but I was able to feel some benefits although this are just first impressions.”
MotoGP™ Combined Free Practice Times:
1 #99 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 1´39.555 (FP2)
2 #93 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 1´39.900 +0.345 (FP2)
3 #41 Aleix ESPARGARO / SPA / Team SUZUKI ECSTAR / Suzuki / 1´40.093 +0.538 (FP2)
15 #6 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / 1´41.178 +1.623 (FP2)