Top six for Aprilia Racing on Friday in Motegi

VIÑALES SIXTH TO GO STRAIGHT THROUGH TO Q2, ESPARGARÓ FIFTEENTH AND WILL HAVE TO BATTLE IN Q1

Maverick Viñales replicated the good sensations of the previous GP weekends, the second race in Misano and Indonesia, confirming his speed on Friday in the Grand Prix of Japan in Motegi. In the first free practice session, with intermittent rain, the Spanish rider finished ninth, whereas in the practice session, on a dry track, Maverick did a series of fast laps to finish sixth, which puts him straight through to Q2. Worth noting that Maverick Viñales is one of the three riders who, up to now, have consistently gone straight through to Q2 on Friday.

On the other side of the garage, it was a more complicated day for Aleix Espargaró. During FP1, Aleix was unable to find the right feeling on the wet track, finishing fifteenth. In the afternoon session, the Spanish rider was unable to improve, finishing fifteenth again. This means that Aleix will have to battle in Q1 in order to go through to Q2 and earn an advantageous spot on the starting grid.

MAVERICK VIÑALES
“We are rather satisfied with the day. I managed to get the best from the RS-GP24. I am pleased with how I’m riding; I’m able to take the bike to the maximum level in any circumstance and that makes me happy and motivates me for the coming days. I think we’ll be able to take another leap forward in qualifying.”

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
“With low grip, the sensations braking are not good. We wanted to try a different set-up, but we were unable to do so because of the weather conditions. I have a good feeling on the bike, but I did not ride very well. I made a lot of mistakes. Even in my flying lap that would have placed me in the top ten, I made a mistake on the final sector. It was a complicated day.”

PAOLO BONORA
“Good result for Maverick, straight through to Q2 to confirm his good confidence on the bike as early as the first session in the morning. Aleix, on the other hand, struggled more and we’ll need to work on the settings to improve his feeling on the bike. I also wish to thank Romano Albesiano for all the years of collaboration together and welcome aboard to Fabiano Sterlacchini as the next Aprilia Racing Technical Director.”