Spaniard takes sixth place on first day in the Czech Republic, with teammate Fabio Quartararo nineteenth and Maria Herrera thirty-second.
The Moto3 World Championship moved from Indianapolis to Brno this week, for the Czech Republic Grand Prix. On the opening day at the circuit, Jorge Navarro –who has the advantage of already knowing the circuit from last year– was the highest placing of the three Repsol riders at the end of the two free practice sessions. Fabio Quartararo and Maria Herera dedicated the entire day to learning the secrets of the Czech track, placing nineteenth and thirty-second, respectively.
In the morning session Navarro set the eighth fastest time, 0.684s off Efren Vazquez –the fastest in the first free practice. Quartararo was fourteenth, 1.230s off the top, whilst Herrera suffered a small crash and concluded thirty-third.
In the second free practice, Navarro again proved to be very comfortable at the Czech track, clocking the fifth fastest time of the session –sixth quickest overall. Navarro was eventually 0.430s off World Championship leader Danny Kent, who was the fastest on day one. Quartararo set the seventeenth best time of the afternoon, for nineteenth overall, around 1.5s down on Kent. Herrera improved her morning time by 1.5s for the thirty-second fastest lap of the day.
Tomorrow the Moto3 riders enjoy a third free practice session, followed by qualifying for Sunday’s race.
Fabio Quartararo
19th – 2:09.930, 30 laps, 162 km
“The Brno circuit is very difficult and I struggled a bit today. Because of its chicanes, the track reminds me a little of Mugello and it just isn’t suited to my riding style yet. For tomorrow I have to learn it better and finish working out my lines, but we also have to improve the setup. I have room for improvement and the bike does too, so we will work hard.”
Jorge Navarro
6th – 2:08.913, 30 laps, 162 km
“Today we did a good job. In the first practice we were very fast and consistent and in the afternoon we were also quick, but maybe we lacked a little consistency when we put the new tyres on: I encountered traffic and could not keep up. We are clear about where we need to improve tomorrow; in the last free practice the aim will be to ride consistently with race tyres, as well as stepping up the pace and putting in a fast lap.”
Maria Herrera
32nd – 2:11.063, 28 laps, 151 km
“In the morning practice I lost some time and I couldn’t ride the closing laps, which are important with new tyres. In the afternoon we focused on finding a good setup that allows me to ride comfortably on the bike, and I think we are on the right track. Tomorrow I hope to take a step forward, especially with my lines. Brno is a new circuit for me –from the outside it looks easier than it really is– and I still have to learn it a little better.”
