Best Independent Team 2020

FOURTH PLACE IN FP 1, LITTLE BIT WIDE IN TURN 6 IN THE AFTERNOON WHILE RIDING FOR TOP 3!

FOURTH PLACE IN FP 1, LITTLE BIT WIDE IN TURN 6 IN THE AFTERNOON WHILE RIDING FOR TOP 3!

 

The final standings from Friday’s Estoril session don’t really show the potential of Andrea Iannone and Team Pata Go Eleven; after an encouraging morning session, the #29 rider missed out on the best lap in FP2 due to a small mistake at Turn 6; his ideal time of 1:36.3 would have placed him in the top three. The speed is there, the pace is there, but the pieces need to be put together.

In FP1, Andrea immediately found a good feeling with the Portuguese track; he rode in 36 after the first laps, then improved a few more tenths towards the middle of the session, consistently staying among the top positions. The yellow Ducati performed very competitively and consistently in the second and fourth sectors, although it conceded a few tenths in T1 and T3. Fourth place and a good pace below 37. There’s still some electronic work to do on corner entry.

Free Practice 1:
P 1    T. Razgatlioglu    1.36.054
P 2    N. Bulega  + 0.226
P 3    A. Lowes   + 0.566
P 4    A. Iannone   + 0.577

For FP2, temperatures rise significantly, with the asphalt reaching 40 degrees, causing a drop in grip and traction difficulties. Andrea’s sectors are reversed compared to the morning, with him being very fast in the first and second sectors, then losing a few tenths in the final section of the track. Entrance of the corner improved, but the Ducati V4R still felt nervous on corner exits. With the tyre change, all the other riders improved significantly. Andrea rode an incredible first sector, in line with Bulega, keeping then gap in the second, then went wide at Turn 6 and had to close the throttle. The new front compound still hasn’t convinced, but he’ll have to test it again tomorrow. It’s a shame because he would have been able to finish in the top three, but the positive aspect remains together with the knowledge that he has speed and a good race pace.

Free Practice 2:
P 1   N. Bulega   1.35.778
P 2   T. Razgatlioglu  + 0.232
P 3   A. Lowes  + 0.570
…
P 12   A. Iannone   + 0.951

Overall solid and positive day, but there are a few things to work on, both in terms of electronics, geometry and bike length. The goal for tomorrow is to get on the first two rows; the opportunity will be there, we must seize it!

Andrea Iannone (Rider): 

“Friday was a positive overall experience. Today, I immediately felt comfortable with the Estoril track. We have a good pace, but unfortunately we didn’t find the perfect lap in the afternoon, the ideal time says we could have been in the top four. The time doesn’t matter today; we need to get all the correct electronics settings for tomorrow, especially on corner exit, to make the bike repeatable. Let’s try to have a good qualifying session, which will be crucial for the weekend!”

FRIDAY PICTURES: CLICK HERE

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