Team Suzuki Press Office – July 6.
Alex Rins: 4th – 1:20.531
Joan Mir: 9th – 1:21.061
• Alex Rins looking strong just off the front row in 4th.
• Joan Mir learns difficult Sachsenring quickly, takes 9th.
• Team ready to take on tomorrow’s 30 lap race.
Saturday morning’s FP3 session saw a fight for direct passage for Q2 as many riders began to improve their lap times. Team SUZUKI ECSTAR’s duo worked hard to keep themselves within the Top 10 with consistently quick laps. They persistently came back when knocked back, Rins closing the session in 5th, and Mir in 9th.
In FP4, Rins and Mir confirmed that they were feeling positive, finishing the 30-minute session in 3rd and 4th spots, both less than four tenths of a second behind the top spot.
As Q2 rolled around, Rins was ready to push for the front row. A run-off at the start of the session wasn’t going to hamper him, and with his favoured medium-hard tyre combination, he set a strong 1:20.531 lap. However, the front row was just out of reach, and he will start from 4th tomorrow.
Mir chose the same tyres as his team-mate and also put in a decent lap, a 1:21.061, to finish 9th.
Davide Brivio – Team Manager:
“It’s been a positive qualifying day. Alex lost the front a bit on the last lap so perhaps it could have been even better, but we’re still satisfied. Joan also did a good job and he will start in 9th; he’s been fast all weekend so we’re feeling confident with both riders. We’ll be aiming for the top group and we’re looking forward to the race. Tyre choice and the weather will play a part, though.”
Alex Rins:
“I had a bit of a scary moment on the last corner of the last lap, I was setting a really quick time and I had to make a save with my elbow! But nevertheless, I’ve finished today on the second row and that’s within my target. Tomorrow I’ll try to get a good start, because I feel like I have strong pace.”
Joan Mir:
“I’m happy, but I expected a little bit more because my pace in FP4 was really good, so I thought I could go even quicker with a new tyre in qualifying. Anyway, I will start on the third-row tomorrow, and I’m pleased with that. I’m ready to try hard in this final race before the summer break.”
GP of Germany – Qualifying Classification:
1. Marc MARQUEZ Repsol Honda Team 1’20.195
2. Fabio QUARTARARO Petronas Yamaha SRT 1’20.400 0.205 / 0.205
3. Maverick VIÑALES Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1’20.406 0.211 / 0.006
4. Alex RINS Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1’20.531 0.336 / 0.125
5. Jack MILLER Pramac Racing 1’20.690 0.495 / 0.159
6. Cal CRUTCHLOW LCR Honda CASTROL 1’20.857 0.662 / 0.167
7. Franco MORBIDELLI Petronas Yamaha SRT 1’20.964 0.769 / 0.107
8. Pol ESPARGARO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1’21.023 0.828 / 0.059
9. Joan MIR Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 1’21.061 0.866 / 0.038
10. Takaaki NAKAGAMI LCR Honda IDEMITSU 1’21.104 0.909 / 0.043
11. Valentino ROSSI Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1’21.137 0.942 / 0.033
12. Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati Team 1’21.486 1.291 / 0.349
13. Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati Team 1’21.105 Q1
14. Stefan BRADL Repsol Honda Team 1’21.227 Q1
15. Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1’21.313 Q1
16. Andrea IANNONE Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 1’21.433 Q1
17. Francesco BAGNAIA Pramac Racing 1’21.446 Q1
18. Hafizh SYAHRIN Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1’21.465 Q1
19. Johann ZARCO Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1’21.637 Q1
20. Miguel OLIVEIRA Red Bull KTM Tech 3 1’21.683 Q1
21. Karel ABRAHAM Reale Avintia Racing 1’21.796 Q1
22. Tito RABAT Reale Avintia Racing 1’22.119 Q1
