Fabio Quartararo –16th, Jorge Navarro –24rd– and Maria Herrera –30th– face one of the most difficult and demanding circuits in the world for the first time.
At one of the most beautiful and demanding circuits on the World Championship calendar, the Repsol riders again took a step into the unknown this Friday. The trio used the two free practice sessions to learn the secrets of the Mugello circuit, with its fast corners and the second longest straight of the season.
On a day of clear Italian dominance, in the morning Fabio Quartararo was 22nd –1.9 seconds off the top time set by Bastianini– whilst Navarro trailed him on the timesheets by just 0.055. Maria Herrera placed 33rd.
In the afternoon, track conditions improved and most riders were able to lower their times. Quartararo continued to make progress and manage to lap one second faster than in the morning, finishing 14th –1.441s off the best time of the second session, set by Antonelli. Teammate Jorge Navarro was 23rd –1.949s from the top, and Maria Herrera 29th as she took almost 1.5s off her morning marker.
Fabio Quartararo
16th – 1:59.057, 31 laps, 163km
“In the first session of the day I was a little lost, not knowing which line to take because there are some very fast corners, but at the end of the session I was used to it. This circuit is quite difficult, but at the end of the second session I got a tow and completed some fast laps with new tyres. The chicanes at Mugello are very technical, and at first I was going wide, but slowly I’m adapting to them. I’m happy with the job we did today, even though when doing my fastest lap another rider got in my way. I’ve found a good pace and that’s positive.”
Jorge Navarro
24th – 1:59.565, 33 laps, 173km
“Today was a day for learning the circuit. The truth is that I’m having a bit more trouble with that than I expected. I still lack confidence at some points, but this afternoon we will work with the team and I hope to improve tomorrow and feel more comfortable with the bike at the circuit. I like the track, but it’s very, very difficult. We have to keep working hard. What stood out for me are the Arrabbiatas which are taken in fourth gear and by opening the throttle a lot. They are very nice to ride.”
Maria Herrera
30th – 2:00.350, 31 laps, 163km
“At the start of the day everything went very quickly. Riders who already know the track were flying past me and it took me a while to find my reference points and pace. I think this is the most difficult circuit that I have ridden at so far; the chicanes are tricky, because it seems that they are slow but in fact they are fast. The Arriabbiatas are very nice and you take them at almost top speed. I like fast corners, so I enjoy them. This afternoon I felt very good and I think tomorrow we can lower our times and do a good job in the qualifying session.”
