Crash spoils Barbera’s qualifying session

Lorenzo, Stoner, Rossi and Dovizioso looked certain to extend their dominance of the Malaysian Grand Prix into qualifying this afternoon but there were some notable surprises in the battle for pole position, with Spies and Hayden both staking a claim before Lorenzo reasserted his authority. The Spaniard lapped just a tenth of a second quicker than the latter American to secure the perfect starting position for his first title ‘match-ball’ tomorrow.

Páginas Amarillas Aspar rider Héctor Barberá continued to improve the race set-up of his Ducati in this morning’s final free practice session, which he finished in ninth position, just eight tenths off the best time. However, in the afternoon some set-up changes designed to improve rear traction under acceleration did not have the desired result and a disappointing session was compounded by a late crash in turn seven. It was a shame because he was on course to improve on his best lap at that point but he escaped unhurt and will look to make up positions from fifteenth on the grid tomorrow.

15th Héctor Barberá 2.02.928 (23 laps): “Once again we have to start from a long way back. We struggled to improved today but the pace in general is very fast. I am only 1.3 seconds off pole yet I find myself in fifteenth place. It is not a big gap around so a long circuit but we have to improve. We took an important step this morning and I felt good but this afternoon didn’t go so well. As in Japan the main problem is rear stability under acceleration. It is a shame because we did improve but just not enough and we have have to find a set-up that makes the bike easier to handle. I tried to make up time under braking on my last lap but left it too late and the front folded.”

Source: Paginas Amarillas Aspar Team