Valentino Rossi missed the mark on this first day of the Styrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Although ninth at the end of FP2, he is not in the car which leads directly to Q2. Indeed, it was in the morning that we had to perform with this in mind. Because the afternoon was surprisingly hot on Austrian soil, in no way conducive to speed. Tomorrow, Saturday, everything will still have to be done while hoping for good weather. But the Doctor still has a reason for satisfaction…
Finally, his Austrian day ended in thirteenth place Valentino Rossi. The “Doctor” returned 0,740s to the leader of the day Pol Espargarò, shining on a KTM which is no less so. The official driver suffers as well as all the Yamaha , since none is in the top 5. The world leader fabio quartararo is even only fourteenth.
Red has worked a lot with worn tires, but tomorrow morning in FP3 he will have to reach the Top Ten if he wants to try to make a good qualifying. “ Today we decided to save a tire for tomorrow, so we could only do one timed lap. But we made a mistake because we did it this afternoon and not this morning and we couldn't improve ».
Bagnaia's fate as important as Yamaha's form
« Unlike last week, the asphalt exceeded 50°. The spot attack strategy may have been right, but in the morning, not the afternoon. On Sunday we will struggle to stay in the top five. Dovizioso rides well, he resisted on unfavorable tracks, he is strong here and the championship is still long »Adds Red which therefore positions his compatriot Dovi as the favorite in the title race.
However, the teammate of Maverick Vinales who finished his day eighth has a reason for satisfaction: “ I know that “Pecco” Bagnaia and Ducati are very close, I hope it's the factory team, because even if they are good at Pramac, the factory team at least has something more on paper. I hope to see him dressed in red ". A hope to be placed in a context where he did not fail to damage the reputation of a competitor for this official position: Johann zarco.
MotoGP Austria 2 J1: cumulative times
