The German Grand Prix weekend got off to a positive start for the Ducati Team at the Sachsenring. After two free practice sessions at the German circuit, Jorge Lorenzo ended the day at the top of the timesheets with a fastest lap of 1:20.885. There were five Ducati riders in the top 10 today.
“I’m very pleased with the way this first day went, especially because we made a big step forward and the bike improved a lot between FP1 and FP2. To be in first place and demonstrate that you are competitive is important, but we know that Marquez looks as if he has something a bit extra and he is the favourite for Sunday. Tomorrow we’ll try and continue this progress with the aim of getting a front row start for the race. In any case, at the moment we’re much better off than last year and this is good news”, Lorenzo commented.
It seems that we started well ?. Keep working. #JL99 ? #GermanGP #P1 #Fridaymood pic.twitter.com/qVjUR2xm6a
— Jorge Lorenzo (@lorenzo99) July 13, 2018
Danilo Petrucci finished the first day of free practices at P2. Petrux was steady with the leading group. In FP2 the rider from Terni worked a lot on the setup and in the time attack, he managed to notch up a great crono conquering the second position behind Lorenzo.
“I am very satisfied with this first day of free practice. We started off well in the morning and then worked hard to reduce rear tyre consumption. Maybe we are not yet at the top of the race pace but the feeling is really positive”, Petrucci said.
Jorge Lorenzo ended the day at the top of the timesheets with a fastest lap of 1:20.885
Andrea Iannone also made a very positive start to the weekend as he topped FP1 with a 1:21.442, 0.390 seconds faster than the other riders. The Italian was also quickest through three out of the four track sectors. In the afternoon’s FP2 Iannone confirmed his good pace and ensured a provisional spot in Q2 by closing the session in 3rd (1:21.204)
“Today hasn’t been bad. We started really well this morning, and we used this afternoon to try a few things. In the end, we put new tyres in to get ourselves far into the Top 10. We’re having a few problems with rear grip, like everybody at this track, but I’m struggling quite a lot. So tomorrow we’ll try to improve this situation. We have good speed, enough to stay at the top, but it will be important to maintain it over the race distance”, Iannone explained.
Here are the #MotoGP times from day one at the #GermanGP ??@lorenzo99 heads into qualifying day on top of the pile ⏱ pic.twitter.com/8Wi9wERfiW
— MotoGP™??? (@MotoGP) July 13, 2018
