After the results of Friday training there is no doubt which track conditions world champion Fabio Quartararo would prefer for the rest of the Misano weekend.
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The Monster Yamaha star, whose title lead was reduced to 53 points after struggling with the tire temperature in Aragon last Sunday, took just under seventh place in FP1 with dry tires (+0.358 seconds), but only the 18th wet afternoon excursion .
To make matters worse, the next title opponent, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), was faster in the dry as well as in the wet, finishing 3-2 each time. Rain remains a threat for the remainder of the weekend.
“We tried a completely different setting this afternoon,” said Quartararo of his wet ailments. “It was a little better and it’s a shame I missed my last lap because I improved my lap time but didn’t even do one of my fastest sectors.
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“But I still don’t feel comfortable on the bike. I have the feeling that we took a small step with the front because my feeling is better, but I have no feeling in the fast corners. So it’s tough. It It’s tough. Let’s see what we can do, but we’re having a tough time right now. “
It’s not as bad as 18th place looks, however.
“We are still two seconds away from the front, but our position is not real for me now. For me, our position is in the top 12 at the moment, I would say. But in 2019 I did all my exercises in the wet anyway. ” the top 10 and I can’t understand why I can’t have that feeling again.
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“Let’s see what we can improve for the next wet session.”
At the top of the list of the French will be the increased stability from behind in the fast corners.
“You can feel it a lot more in the fast corners. That is the main problem, everything is so sensitive in the wet, and in the fast corners I can tell you that a lack of rear stability does not give you that much self-confidence.”
In terms of a dry set-up, the wet weather meant Quartararo had no chance of stepping up into the middle front slick.
“In FP1 you have to start the weekend with the soft front tire, but it’s a tire I don’t really like because it’s too soft. Our plan was to go to the middle front this afternoon, but with the rain it wasn’t possible that way.
“In some places like Turn 11, I had some problems with the soft front and the bumps to go really fast.”
Quartararo was certainly not the only Yamaha fighting for grip in the wet. New teammate Franco Morbidelli was the best of the M1 on 13th, Valentino Rossi 16th and Andrea Dovizioso 21st.
“I have the feeling that we don’t have very good grip on the rear wheel, so we lose a lot, especially when accelerating,” said Rossi. “For me, that’s the bigger problem with the bike.”
But while Quartararo battled for pace in wet weather in FP2, compatriot Johann Zarco – his closest rival in the championship earlier in the season – returned to the top of the timesheet.
“A good day,” said Zarco, who is considering arm pump surgery after struggling in recent events. “This morning I got off to a good start (11th, + 0.477). It was important to get the Panigale practice here after Silverstone because it’s a very technical track and I got good references straight away. Everyone was super close, but I was happy to be in the game too.
“I had a little [arm pump] Pain in the arm when dry, that’s logical, because it’s a small slope with more right-hand turns.
“The afternoon rain was also great because I had a much better feeling than in Spielberg, the last time in the rain. It was good to have a good feeling and to always be in the top positions.
“Under these conditions, the arm does not suffer at all. Because you don’t make the same effort on a bike. That’s why.
“It’s good to be running a practice again because it also reminded you why you’re here and that’s pretty important. So I had a good day and I’m happy.”