Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS drivers Jack Miller and Tito Rabat had to deal with cloudy skies and rather cool temperatures during the first day of testing for this weekend's British Grand Prix. on the Silverstone circuit.
For Miller, this day marked the return to competition after the Australian had to withdraw from Spielberg and Brno. Unsurprisingly, the Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider took advantage of the first session to calmly get his bearings with his Honda RC213V.
Having worked hard to get back into shape to face the many difficulties of a circuit made up of sequences of technical and fast turns, Miller unfortunately suffered from the recovery of his right wrist. A wrist fractured during the Australian's crash during warm-up at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Overcoming the pain, the Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS driver managed to gain two seconds in FP2 to finish the day in seventeenth position.
Rabat, who today made his first laps at Silverstone aboard a 1000 cc prototype, the matter was not simple. Lacking the confidence to attack the fastest changes of direction, such as in the Maggotts and Beckets sectors, the Team Estrella Galicia driver also suffered from traction problems during certain accelerations.
Having still improved his times in FP2 by a good second, Rabat is optimistic for tomorrow. The Spaniard is determined to continue to progress during the last free sessions as well as in qualifying.
Jack Miller: 17th – 2'03.631
“I'm pretty happy with the day considering the problems my wrist is giving me. My back doesn't bother me, but we discovered after my fall in Austria that I also suffered from a small fracture in the palm of my hand and that doesn't make things any easier for me. I can brake OK in a straight line, but I have a harder time grabbing the brakes in right-hand corners when I have to move my wrist. I put ice on it when I stop and I think it will get better and everything will be fine for the race. I rode pretty well considering I hadn't been back on the bike since my fall in Austria. I have a good margin for improvement, but the objective this weekend is to stay in the saddle to get back in shape in order to best prepare for the last races of the season. »
Tito Rabat: 21th – 2'05.196
“Silverstone is a long, fast circuit that requires a lot of effort to drive fast. For the moment I don't have enough confidence to attack as I should. I'm lacking grip at the rear and we need to find a solution. For now, the only thing I can do is stay motivated and not give up during this difficult time. The times are not great but tomorrow will be another day. I will work hard to get things back on track to regain confidence and speed. »
Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“This first day at Silverstone was difficult, both for Jack and for Tito. Jack didn't push it too hard and we can understand why. The conditions were average with a fairly cool temperature and he didn't want to take any risks so as not to compromise all the work done to be ready this weekend. He kept some in his sleeve for the rest of the weekend. He is suffering a little with his hand but I think we have good settings and that will help him tomorrow to attack a little harder. Tito is in difficulty, we cannot hide this obvious fact. He's a bit lost and Silverstone is not an easy circuit with a MotoGP. The only thing we can do is work to help him feel more comfortable in order to get the most out of his equipment. »
