Raul Fernandez’s upward trend continues and today at Motegi in the Sprint race the spaniard finished inside the top ten. Despite the result, the spaniard admitted to have unexpected problems with his grip and re-emphasised the idea that he can help Aprilia evolve.
Even before the race, the rider was in the spotlight as he went from Q1 to Q2, and spoke about how when he is given the necessary tools and the adjustments he asks for, he delivers in performance: ‘Honestly, and as I said yesterday, I think I had the potential to go straight into Q2, but the important thing is that I did it. When I say that something isn’t 100 per cent as I want it to be and I say that if we improve «here» I’ll do «this» lap time, and when they bring you this confidence and you do it, it’s something that makes your confidence grow. Basically this morning I felt very constant, very fast. I did three or four laps in the 1m44.00s, it wasn’t just one lap and I’m happy’.
However, in the first race of the weekend not everything went to plan: ‘In the Sprint race there was something strange because I didn’t feel any grip during all the race… It’s something strange and we have to analyse it: why weren’t we as fast as we were in the morning?!! With a used tyre I was faster than in the Sprint race with a new tyre. We have to understand this because tomorrow we have the long race. The tyre I used in the Sprint was the one they bring you when you go from Q1 to Q2′.
The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP rider was once again happy with the moment and reaffirmed that he could be an important element for Aprilia Racing and a key player in the development of the RS-GP:
– I’m honestly happy. The difference for the first Aprilia isn’t very big. I can help Aprilia to improve the level and I can give them good information and I think I’m now in a good position to do that for them. I’m happy about that and tomorrow if we can combine everything we’ll have a very good race, I believe.