First taste of Silverstone for Terol

The 125cc World Championship riders finally got their first taste of the new Silverstone circuit today as the British Grand Prix got underway with the first free practice session of the weekend, the Bancaja Aspar Team’s two riders reporting favourably on a fast but bumpy track that offers good levels of grip. Bradley Smith and Nico Terol were both inside a top five separated by almost seventh tenths of a second, with a full second gap back to sixth place. The quickest time today was a 2’15.835 but that is expected to drop significantly tomorrow.

Smith and Terol made a cautious but convincing start to life at Silverstone, adapting quickly to the layout and gradually improving their speed. The British teenager clocked a best time of 2’16.268 four laps from the end, just four tenths of a second off the quickest time of the day. It was almost a carbon copy session for the Spaniard, who also posted a late time to seal fifth on the overnight timesheets.

5th Nico Terol 2.16.534 (22 laps): “The circuit is fast and technical. There are some really fast turns and you have to know exactly when to open the throttle so that you don’t run off line. I got into a rhythm fairly early and felt comfortable throughout the first session. I am only six tenths off the fastest time and the important thing is I was only my own for practically the entire session and it is easy to make up half a second just by getting a tow. This is obviously our first time at Silverstone and we still have to work on the gear ratios but I’m happy with the work we’ve done so far. The way the Aprilia is performing from the point of view of both the engine and the general set-up is good. We are lucky because have had a good base from the start of the season and we only need to make small changes. The circuit is really cool but it is hard work to be fast every lap and the bumps mean you cannot afford to love focus at any moment.”

Source: Team Aspar