Franco Morbidelli (PETRONAS Yamaha Racing)
The pre-season MotoGP test resumes after a two-day break at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team duo Franco Morbidelli and Valentino Rossi ended their third day in the desert 11th and 13th place respectively.
Morbidelli started strongly and clocked the fastest time early on in the session. He was within the top 10 for the majority of the seven hours. He maintained his focus on testing the new front fork and shock absorber settings. Morbidelli completed 55 laps and ended his run at 11th place.
Teammate and compatriot Rossi, on the other hand, compared the chassis available and tested a new cowling on his Yamaha YZR-M1. He managed to improve his race pace from the first two days of the Qatar test. The Doctor made great positive progress during the 56 laps completed.
The test will continue once again begin at 2 pm local time (7 pm MYT), with the penultimate day of the 2021 MotoGP pre-season test concluding at 9 pm local time (2 am MYT).
Franco Morbidelli, Qatar MotoGP test, 10 March 2021
“Today we have been working hard testing and I didn’t really do a proper time attack. We focused a little bit more on trying to make some improvements and squeeze a bit more performance out of the race configuration. At the end of the day we finished outside of the top-ten, but it’s still early and the first day back after two days of no riding. We know the margins between riders will be small in the race, it’s going to make it difficult and every small detail is going to make the difference. We want to analyse everything to help us have a good race in the first two weekends.”
Valentino Rossi, Qatar MotoGP test, 10 March 2021
“Although I might not be happy with P13, it was a good day because we have improved upon the first two days of the test: both the time attack and the race pace are better. I think we are doing well, but the top guys are a little faster so there is still some work we need to do. We tried something new today with the chassis and cowling, which I like and this is good for improving the bike, so it’s been a positive day. We have improved everywhere, but especially the grip, and that made today very enjoyable. Now we will check the data to see where else we can improve.”