Joan Mir is happy to have experienced his first decent qualifications in this 2021 season which was starting to escape him. Here he is fifth on the starting grid for the Styrian Grand Prix. The last time he started from this position was at the last European Grand Prix, his last and only victory to date in MotoGP…
In the first half of the season, Joan mir never went higher than position 9. After finishing 5th in qualifying at the Red Bull Ring, he said with a smile: “ at least a better qualification… No, I'm happy with all the work we're doing this weekend ».
Suzuki was the last manufacturer not to benefit from a complete “leveling correction device”. The latter was first used on the factory riders' GSX-RR during the Styrian Grand Prix qualifying day. “ When you try something for the first time, it's always difficult. It's an extra lever that you have to use in different curves. It's hard to make it automatic in your head » says the reigning World Champion. “ The first attempt in FP3 was strange, but you can feel right away that you accelerate more with this device ", said Mir.
Joan Mir: “c’était un jour important pour moi”
« But of course, this is only the first evolution, there are different aspects that can be improved. You can make it easier and change different things. For the first prototype, I'm quite happy with it. I was able to do a lot of tricks with it and figure out where to use it. The other drivers already know this very well. It was an important day for me, in addition to the result » specifies the Majorcan.
The fall in FP4 at turn 9 had nothing to do with the device. “ No, I was out with badly worn tires working for the race, then fell on the front wheel after a good lap in a fast corner “, explained the 23-year-old Majorcan. “ I was concerned because it was the motorcycle with the device and I wanted to gather more information. Luckily the team did a good job so I was able to try again in Q2 ».
Without “ normal conditions » Mir plans to use the rear lowering devices also in the race on Sunday. However, rain is expected in Spielberg…
MotoGP Styria J2: qualifying
Credit classification motogp.com
