At the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team secures the direct Q2 with Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is sixth. Franco Morbidelli is fifteenth.
Low temperatures and cloudy sky had a key role on Friday of the Catalan GP: the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team faced the challenge with Fabio Di Giannantonio, who finished the Practice in sixth place despite the disadvantageous conditions and secured the direct Q2 (his fourth consecutive this year). Franco Morbidelli, who was fifteenth at the end of the day, will go through Q1.
The Catalan GP started in the right way for Di Giannantonio, who proved to be competitive even on a completely different track compared to last weekend. After finishing FP1 in third place, Fabio confirmed he could fight for the top positions in Practice too, where he improved his time attack. With a lap time of 1’39”295, the rider from Rome ended the afternoon session in sixth place, securing the direct Q2 for the fourth consecutive time this year.
Friday started with positive feelings for Morbidelli, who secured a Top10 in FP1. This result gave a lot of confidence and showed the hard work both in the garage and on track to come back to the top places. Franco improved his lap time in Practice, where he carried out his potential by staying in the Top10 for most of the session. Just 3 tenths left him out of the direct Q2, with the fifteenth place at the end of the session.
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will return to the track on Saturday for qualifying, which will begin at 10:50 (local time). This will be followed by the Sprint race at 15:00 (local time). The Catalan GP will conclude with the main race on Sunday, starting at 14:00 (local time).
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO
“I am very happy with today’s work: we’re very fast, and in the afternoon to we proved to have a great speed on medium tyre. We’re working on the new aero too, overall, we feel well. Today, the riders ahead of us showed something more in terms of pace, but we’re working to get closer and we’re focusing on entry corner. I think we did a good step forward in this area. Today’s conditions were very tricky because of the low temperature, but the feeling with the bike was good despite the low grip of this track and with these unique conditions. Tomorrow it should be warmer and sunny. So, the goal is to keep working as we’re doing. This weekend, Vale is in the garage too. Having him here is always great, the energy he brings is always amazing. I also improve a lot when I work with him in the garage. I want to have a good weekend to give him a super podium and celebrate together!”
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
“Today, we made some step forward, so I can say that this Friday was a positive one. Unfortunately, in my last time attack, I got stuck in the traffic and I couldn’t do the last sector as I wished. Maybe, that wouldn’t have been enough to be in Top10, but if I could be able to be alone in the T4… who knows. Apart from missing the direct Q2, the day was positive, the feeling and the speed were better than usual. This weekend, Valentino is in the garage. It’s good to have him around when we are at the races, because he dedicates himself to us totally, he analyses and sees everything, he gives precious advice. He brings a fresh and good energy into the team, this is crucial for our garage side in this moment.”
