The first Friday of the year told a similar story compared to the tests; Bulega setting the pace, Iannone leading the chasing group. Different weather today, about 10-15 degrees more on the asphalt between morning and afternoon, influenced the performance and grip conditions on the track. Team Go Eleven and Andrea Iannone, confirmed the second position, placing halfway between the number 11 of Aruba and the other protagonists on the track.<\/p>\n
In FP 1 the last doubts in terms of set-up and geometry were solved, work that had not been possible on Tuesday, finding a good base to continue the weekend. Andrea found a strong pace right from the start of the session, repeatedly riding on the low 29.<\/p>\n
Free Practice 1: Before FP 2 the sun warmed the Phillip Island track, changing the grip conditions; more slippery asphalt, electronic settings to be adjusted, but still the number 29 was able to obtain the second position and defend it until the end of the session. There was an exit with the new rear solution of SC 1, but the laptime did not give positive feedback, thus returning to the “original” solution. Best time of the day, on the last lap, with tyres used beyond the race distance.<\/p>\n Free Practice 2: For the Australian Saturday the goal will be to test the qualifying tyre in the morning, here it is the SC 0, so as to be ready for the Superpole; starting in front with a flag-to-flag race is even more crucial. In the evening, there will also be an internal team briefing to fine-tune the pit stop, which tomorrow will be a moment of great tension and spectacle. For the moment, technicians are in-depth data analysis to understand where there is still room for improvement, and let’s see what tomorrow brings!<\/p>\n Andrea Iannone (Rider):\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cToday was a positive day overall, we are still second, we are not far from first place, but Nicol\u00f2 Bulega is working very well. In the afternoon the temperature increased and we had to readjust the bike to the drop of the grip. My feeling is not yet 100% on the bike, I feel we can do a bit better. I got the best times with very used tyres, so I think we have a bit of margin. Tonight we will have a meeting to organize ourselves well for the flag-to-flag, then tomorrow we will focus on qualifying, it will be important to start at the front.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nP 1\u00a0 \u00a0 N. Bulega\u00a0 \u00a01.28.922
\nP 2\u00a0 \u00a0 A. Iannone\u00a0 + 0.367
\nP 3\u00a0 \u00a0 A. Bautista\u00a0 \u00a0+ 0.593<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nP 1\u00a0 \u00a0N. Bulega\u00a0 1.28.790
\nP 2 \u00a0 A. Iannone\u00a0 \u00a0 + 0.406
\nP 3\u00a0 \u00a0T. Razgatlioglu\u00a0 + 0.809<\/strong><\/p>\n