Viñales and Carrasco maintain progress through difficult FP3 conditions

The second day of free practice sessions of the Qatar GP has been a positive one for Team Calvo. Without doubt, the team as well as the riders themselves would have liked to be higher up in the ranking, but taking into account that Maverick Viñales is still recovering from his injuries and that the circuit is completely new for Ana Carrasco, the progress has been really good.

Bit by bit Maverick feels better on the bike and feels less pain. If everything goes to plan, the Team Calvo rider can push a bit more during qualifying to achieve a better position on the starting grid. With regards to Ana, it’ certain that there was no improvement from Thursday’s sessions but the conditions were more complicated with a strong wind and a very dirty track. As Pablo Nieto said, the important thing is that she is gaining more experience.

Maverick Viñales #25 – 2’09’’876 – 7th position
We’ve been trying various things with regards to the chassis and in general I think the session has gone well. There was a lot of wind today and it’s been a bit difficult, but I think we have a lot of margin for improvement. The finger still hurts a little but each day it is less painful and I feel better on the bike. We’ve got a little more to give during qualifying and we want to try to get a good lap in to achieve a good starting position.

Ana Carrasco #22 – 2’13’’629 – 32nd position
The truth is that this didn’t go as I’d hoped. In addition to the wind that made things more difficult, today I felt yesterday’s missing laps and I couldn’t improve my time. I would have loved to ride quicker but this circuit is very big and it’s difficult to find the right line. There are many points in which we can improve. In qualifying I will try to get a good lap in so that we can start as far to the front as possible.

Pablo Nieto – Team Director
The session has been a bit strange, with a lot of wind and a very dirty track. There’s also been a lot of reflection on the track which also didn’t help. But we’re at least satisfied that Maverick’s finger is causing him less pain and he improves every day. The aim for him is to be the best he possibly can on Sunday and gain as many points as possible.
Ana has to take it step by step and keep learning, and I’m sure with patience she’ll find her rhythm and her pace. It’s just important that she gains as much experience as she can.

Source: Team Calvo