Cardus profits from changed approach for Italian Grand Prix
QMMF Racing Team riders Ricky Cardús and Mashel Al-Naimi had a promising start into their first ever Italian Grand Prix at Mugello. Cardús tried a new and calmer approach to a Grand Prix weekend and an had a rewarding first day of practice in which he improved by more than two seconds from the morning session to the afternoon.
Ricky Cardús – 27°, 1.55,151
“I changed the “chip” and I take on the races differently from now on. In the first practice I rode looking for good references and trying to set my own pace, without thinking about the laptimes or the position. In the qualifying I will do that. Instead, we now focus entirely on our prep work. Regarding laptimes we were not going well in the morning, but we had clear ideas of how to go on and the afternoon you could see it, I was improving by two seconds. I am 27th, but with a good feeling and good rhythm, and now cutting the other tenth to catch the main group. The track is very fun and very difficult, but I hope to continue to grow in each session and that each step in the set-up is positive.”
Luis Solano, team coordinator: “This is the most beautiful track in the whole calendar, but it also is the most difficult one. Both of our riders are here for the first time, and considering that, they are doing well. Ricky had to learn the track and the lines this morning to get a first feeling. In the afternoon, he started to push and was just two seconds behind the top riders, which was a good improvement. We will now work on the set-up of his bike, so he will feel better tomorrow.”
Source: QMMF Racing