It was more like a complicated first day for world champion Joan Mir on the Jerez track. The Suzuki rider finished 13th on Friday after losing part of FP1 due to an electronic problem this morning. The gap between the leaders is wide: more than eight tenths of a second from Pecco Bagnaia And as we mentioned on the eve of the GP, the Jerez race is important to keep up with the leaders and to keep its rivals from dropping out. How did the day go?
“I had some problems with the bike’s electronics early in the morning – told me – The anti-wheeling didn’t work well, I made two exits but I couldn’t understand why. In the end, they managed to fix everything in the garage because it was a small problem, probably just a bug. After getting back on track, I did a lot of laps on the same medium tire and felt fine. “
FP2, on the other hand, did not achieve the expected result. Is that right?
“I started the afternoon with the tires I used in the morning and everything was fine. I think the lower temperatures than last year can help make me feel better. But then I put on the soft tire and had a problem. “
What happened?
“It’s something that has already happened this season, I would say once every weekend, if not more. It is very frustrating because you are working on used tires and when you put on the new one you do not improve. This means that today’s position is not realistic compared to what we saw on the track. “
What kind of problem did you have?
“I am not satisfied with the right turns, which is not the case with used tires. It’s hard to control but I hope we can fix it because it really makes me angry. Anyway, I don’t want to talk about it too much because I don’t think it’s the right way to approach the problem. “
Tomorrow in the third RP you have to try to qualify for the second quarter. Do you mind?
“I have to improve tomorrow, but I don’t want to think too much about a possible first quarter. Today the truth is I had a problem that slowed me down I don’t think I would have improved a second and a half, but one second would have been enough to be in the top five. “
Alex Rins: “I had an electronic problem, luckily not with the engine.”
A driver who smiles a bit more is Alex Rins, who finished his day in eighth place, and thus among the drivers who don’t have to compete against Q1 at the moment. What was that day
“Certainly different from what we programmed it – said Rins – we had a problem with it in FP1 appeared to be coming from the engine, but then it turned out to be the electronics. Knowing this was a relief, because with the few engines available, changing an engine would have been complicated. “
You’ve shown that you can go at a good pace on used tires, but Quartararo has identified Aleix Espargarò and Franco Morbidelli as the most dangerous rivals in the race. Do you agree with him?
“I would add too Bradl, because like Aleix Espargarò, he has done a lot of tests here in Jerez and has more experience and data available ”.
Have you already chosen the tire for the race on Sunday? Are you expecting a drop?
“I think there will be a big drop during the race. The choice depends on the temperature, many drivers will use a double medium. “