Team Suzuki Press Office – July 5.
Alex Rins: 2nd – 1:21.046 (+ 0.341)
Joan Mir: 13th – 1:21.678 (+ 0.973)
• Alex Rins closes opening day in promising 2nd place.
• Joan Mir improving quickly as track warms up.
• Team keen for tomorrow’s qualifying.
Day 1 at the sinuous circuit of Sachsenring saw strong pace for Team SUZUKI ECSTAR’s riders.
In FP1, Alex Rins slotted himself into 2nd place early in the session and only dropped to 4th as the chequered flag flew. Meanwhile, Joan Mir struggled a little – 1.466 seconds from the top – as he got to grips with the tricky track for the first time with his GSX-RR.
In the afternoon’s FP2, rookie Mir found a more comfortable rhythm around the German track and he quickly carved over a second out of his morning time. Rins did his usual Friday ‘routine’ of trying different tyre configurations and settings, but the Spaniard maintained quick race pace laps throughout, before closing FP2 in 2nd place, just 0.341 seconds from the top.
Davide Brivio – Team Manager:
“We’ve had a good start; Alex was consistent and quick early this morning and he kept that up all day. We tried a few different settings and we feel that we’ve done a good job today, especially as he is running towards the top of the time sheet. Joan did well today too, he’s learning and trying to get the best set-up. He didn’t use the soft tyre for the time attack today, so there’s still room for more improvement from him. We’re ready for tomorrow.”
Alex Rins:
“I’m happy with my performance today, the bike felt really good from FP1 onwards. When I tried the different tyre configurations I found the best feeling with the hard one, and that surprised me a bit. In FP2, I kept a strong rhythm and stayed near the top. I’ll give my all tomorrow to get a good grid spot, ideally on the front row.”
Joan Mir:
“The team and I are working hard to find the best set-up, and I’m working on finding the best lines around this circuit. I didn’t push for a fast lap today, so I feel that I have even more potential for tomorrow and I’m pleased with my progress.”
GP of Germany – Combined Classification after Day 1:
1. Marc MARQUEZ Repsol Honda Team 1’20.705 (FP2)
2. Alex RINS Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1’21.046 0.341 / 0.341 (FP2)
3. Fabio QUARTARARO Petronas Yamaha SRT 1’21.065 0.360 / 0.019 (FP2)
4. Maverick VIÑALES Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1’21.193 0.488 / 0.128 (FP2)
5. Pol ESPARGARO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1’21.265 0.560 / 0.072 (FP2)
6. Cal CRUTCHLOW LCR Honda CASTROL 1’21.392 0.687 / 0.127 (FP2)
7. Jack MILLER Pramac Racing 1’21.442 0.737 / 0.050 (FP2)
8. Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati Team 1’21.484 0.779 / 0.042 (FP2)
9. Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati Team 1’21.489 0.784 / 0.005 (FP2)
10. Valentino ROSSI Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1’21.538 0.833 / 0.049 (FP2)
11. Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1’21.543 0.838 / 0.005 (FP2)
12. Franco MORBIDELLI Petronas Yamaha SRT 1’21.641 0.936 / 0.098 (FP2)
13. Joan MIR Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1’21.678 0.973 / 0.037 (FP2)
14. Stefan BRADL Repsol Honda Team 1’21.693 0.988 / 0.015 (FP2)
15. Takaaki NAKAGAMI LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1’21.729 1.024 / 0.036 (FP2)
16. Andrea IANNONE Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1’21.758 1.053 / 0.029 (FP2)
17. Karel ABRAHAM Reale Avintia Racing 1’21.897 1.192 / 0.139 (FP2)
18. Miguel OLIVEIRA Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1’21.899 1.194 / 0.002 (FP2)
19. Johann ZARCO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1’22.001 1.296 / 0.102 (FP2)
20. Hafizh SYAHRIN Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1’22.208 1.503 / 0.207 (FP2)
21. Tito RABAT Reale Avintia Racing 1’22.462 1.757 / 0.254 (FP2)
63 Francesco BAGNAIA Pramac Racing NO TIME SET
