Third Row For Bastianini In Qatar Qualifying. Di Giannantonio 28Th
Gresini Racing Team Moto3 racer Enea Bastianini will start from the third row of the grid in tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Qatar: during this evening’s Qualifying at the Losail International Circuit the 18-year-old rider from Rimini got the ninth fastest time, 2’06”657, but he will line up his Honda on the eighth spot of the gris after the penalty of three positions inflicted to Bo Bendsneyder for slow riding during FP3.
Bastianini set his best time at the end of the Qualifying session, resulting very fast in the T2 and T3 sectors of the track, but losing precious ground in the T4, which includes the long finish straight, having no other riders’ slipstream in front of him. Enea therefore remains confident that he can remain in the leading group tomorrow, to fight for a good result.
His teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, finished the qualifying in 28th place with a lap time of 2’07”611, obtained at the beginning of the Qualifying session: the 17-year-old rookie from Rome tried to improve his performance in the final stages, but he failed to take advantage of the new tyres in his last run.
ENEA BASTIANINI (8th – 2’06”657)
“It was a quite difficult qualifying because the conditions of the track changed again and I struggled a bit with the set up. We had to work on the bike, but things improved in the last run so I was able to make a good lap; it’s only a pity that I was not able to take any slipstream on the final straight, that would have made the difference, but it must be said that several riders set their best time alone, so this is not an excuse. We have to work a little for the race, but I think we can stay in the leading group: at the beginning of the race someone could try to open a gap, but on this track it is difficult: I think that the race will be decided in the final laps and at who will have the most fresh tyres will make the difference”.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO (28th- 2’07”611)
“Too bad, yesterday things went very well and today we had the credentials to do a good qualifying. At the beginning of the session we made a good start, but then I lost myself: when I returned to the track I was alone and didn’t have the right pace. I still have to learn a lot and without references I was not able to make a good lap time. At the end we mounted new tyres but I was unable to exploit them and therefore tomorrow we will start from the back. However, tomorrow I will try to make a good start then I will fight!”.
FAUSTO GRESINI
“Tomorrow we expect a hard fought race: Enea ended the Qualifying 0.5 seconds off the pace, but at T3 he was in line with the lap time set by poleman Fenati. Unfortunately in the T4 he lacked a slipstream to make a difference, so considering this we can definitely do well tomorrow. Unfortunately Di Giannantonio could not take advantage of his last run with new tyre: it would not take so much to gain several positions on the grid, but that’s okay; let him grow and give him confidence”.
