Only A Few Laps For Bastianini On Final Day Of Jerez Test, But The Results Are Positive. Bad Luck For Di Giannantonio
Gresini Racing Team Moto3 riders spent much of the last day of testing at Jerez in the pits: after the morning fog disrupted the first session, Enea Bastianini put in only 7 laps in the second of today’s three sessions, before stopping bothered by a bad cold. Even his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio completed only seven laps in the second session, before a crash that didn’t allow him to resume testing in the afternoon.
However, despite a last little productive final day, the overall test results are positive for Bastianini, who worked extensively on various aspects of the set-up of his Honda and was always among the fastest on the track in all three days, even without trying the soft tyre for a fast lap. In the combined classification of the three days the gap from the fastest is in fact less than 0.3 seconds: 1’46”725 the best lap obtained yesterday by Enea, against Romano Fenati’s 1’46”445.
As for Di Giannantonio, after a positive first day of testing the 17-year-old rookie from Rome had two crashes, both of which occurred at Turn 5, which slowed down his apprenticeship. Today Fabio fortunately suffered only a bruised right elbow, but the damage to the bike didn’t allow him to resume testing in the third and final session available today.
Now the team moves to Qatar for the final pre-season test, scheduled at the Losail circuit from 11 to 13 March, before the Grand Prix season opener.
ENEA BASTIANINI (6th – 1’46”725)
“It was a strange day… In the morning there was no good weather to go out on track, then the sun came out, but after a few laps in the second session I decided to stop because I did’not feel very good. I have a bad cold that bothers me and I didn’t want to risk, because in the first two days we were able to do the work that we had planned. All in all I’m satisfied with these tests, although there has never been an opportunity to make a fast lap: hovewer, this is not important in testing. I’m happy with the bike and how the team is working and although we still need to improve in some areas, I’m convinced that in the final pre-season test in Qatar we will find good solutions to get ready for the first Grand Prix”.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO (29th – 1’48”539)
“At the beginning of the second session things were going pretty well: I was already fast enough, then unfortunately I repeated the same mistake of yesterday, crashing at turn 5… The bike was too damaged and so I was not able to get back on track in the last session. I have only a bruise in my right elbow, nothing is broken. I’m very sorry for the team, because today we did only a few laps”.
FAUSTO GRESINI
“Compared to previous tests performed here at Jerez, in these three days we have taken some important steps forward: Enea always remained very close to the top, although he didn’t use the soft tyre, so I think he’s already in a condition to fight at the top. Today, unfortunately, was not feeling very well physically, but in these days he worked well with the team, so we look forward to the final test in Qatar with confidence. Di Giannantonio unfortunately suffered a crash both yesterday and today: today the bike suffered extensive damage and consequently Fabio has not had the opportunity to continue test in the last session. We remain confident: it takes time and patience to grow”.
