Jorge Lorenzo was the star of this first day at Phillip Island, but reluctantly. Moreover, Por Fuera would have gone well with this spotlight due to contact with his teammate Marc Márquez at the end of FP2. A scene which strained relations between the two Honda pilots. Jorge Lorenzo gives his version and his feelings on this Friday of the Australian Grand Prix…
Jorge Lorenzo was driving at a slow pace on the trajectory of turn 11 when Marc Márquez in full effort tumbled. In the time to react, the damage was done, the body of the eight-time winner in full effort touched the Honda marked with the 99 to better tear off his whiskers. In the area dedicated to starting tests, Marc Márquez made Por Fuera understand what he thought about the circumstances of this incident…
The Majorcan has his version: “ I think the contact could have been avoided by both " begin Lorenzo. " I could have turned around and let him pass. But at the same time, it's also true that it came at the last moment and I didn't expect it. I tried to keep the interior trajectory, as internal as possible, beyond everything I could go, so as not to hinder him. » Unfortunately, that was not enough.
« I understand Marc's version. In fact, I'm convinced he didn't want to touch me. The only thing I can say is that if he had left a few centimeters of margin, he would have only lost a few thousandths. In the end, Marc had the sixth fastest time of the day and I'm convinced he would have been in the top ten anyway. »
That being said, he talks about his day: “ this track is different from Motegi and therefore also the sensations, although during the wet FP1 it was not bad. Regarding FP2, I made a mistake with the medium tire on a dry track, as I had no grip. »
« Unfortunately, because of the pace, I don't feel strong and the same goes for the sensations I have with the bike. So it will be a complicated race for me, because you always have to stay hunched over on the bike. Michelin brought a particularly soft tire, this year's medium corresponds to the soft tire from a year ago. All the pilots had good feelings » finished Por Fuera who finished behind Johann zarco, 15e for its debut on a Honda, but 2018 version.
FP2 standings for the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
