Espargaro and Checa looking for further improvement in warm up session

The heavy rain fell throughout all the day on Estoril’s track, has made cancel the qualifying session that should had form the starting grid of the Portuguese Grand Prix. The starting grid will be than established by the combined times of the second practice session of yesterday afternoon and the third free practice session of this morning in which both Pramac Racing Team’s riders were able to mark the seventh and sixteenth position respectively with Espargarò and Checa. Tomorrow, thanks to the combined times, Aleix will start the race from the eleventh position, while Carlos will attend the Grand Prix in the last position of the starting grid. The Portuguese Grand Prix will start tomorrow at 1 pm local time.

Fabiano Sterlacchini – Technical Director
“What a bad luck we had. Too bad because we were not able to perform today’s qualifying session: this morning during the third free practice Carlos has been able to further reduce the gap accused yesterday during the second free practice by more than half of a second and improve his best lap time. Shame because Aleix was able to score the best seventh lap time this morning, and we were having good feelings for this afternoon. The rain has a bit spoiled our tables, but we are still confident for tomorrow and we hope to take advantage of tomorrow morning warm-up.”

Aleix Espargarò – Pramac Racing Team – 11th fastest time in 1’50 .787
“The bike was much better on the wet track this morning then yesterday and the seventh fastest time that I was able to conquer during this morning free practice is the proof of that. I could try to gain a better starting grid position, instead of the eleventh in which I’ll take part to the race. After this morning free practice I spoke a lot with my engineers to identify additional improvements that could afford the bike to be more efficient. Too bad because I was not able to try them on track. “

Carlos Checa – Pramac Racing Team – 17th fastest time in 1’53 .933
“The last position on the starting grid for my return to MotoGP World is not very exciting. I’m still very happy because I had improved my feeling with the bike during this morning and also because I have reduced my best lap time by almost half of a second. For now it’s okay. I hope to be able to make many laps during tomorrow warm up in order to further improve my feeling.”

Source: Pramac Racing Press Release