John McPhee, Qatar Moto3, 6 March 2020 | PETRONAS Sprinta Racing
PETRONAS Sprinta Racing’s Moto3 riders John McPhee and Khairul Idham Pawi will not be having any rest as they make their way straight to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend for the third race in a row: the Gran Premi de Catalunya.
McPhee will be looking to bounce back after a difficult race last time out. The 4.6km long Spanish circuit was the scene of the Scot’s Moto3 debut in 2012. Living in Andorra, and with no race at Silverstone this year, the upcoming event has become his de facto home race in 2020. Fighting for the victory there in 2019, McPhee is confident of building upon his third place in the championship standings.
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya also holds good memories for team-mate KIP. The Malaysian rider was in podium contention at the 2016 Catalan GP Moto3 race, but unfortunately crashed out with three laps to go. KIP also knows the circuit well, having spent a lot of time there over the years, and will be hoping to use this knowledge to further improve his confidence and feeling on the bike.
The PETRONAS Sprinta Racing Moto3 pair will take to the track for Free Practice 1 at 9am local time (3pm MYT) on Friday, with Sunday’s 21-lap race due to start at the slightly later than normal time of 12pm local time (6pm MYT).
The Barcelona track is one that I really like and I have been strong there in the past. Last year we were fighting for the victory there, all the way until the last couple of corners. In some ways it is like my home race this season as, living in Andorra now and with no race at Silverstone, it is the closest to my home. I’m looking forward to being at another track again this weekend and to see what we can achieve
I have spent a lot of time at the Barcelona circuit so it is almost like a second home GP for me! It is a really nice circuit and I like it a lot. I have a very good memory there from when I was racing in Moto3 in 2016. I was fighting for the podium but unfortunately, I crashed with three laps to go. So, I hope the good feeling will be back, we will try to improve and get a better result there. I am looking to improve every race