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Valentino Rossi in Wednesday's tests seemed to have started the Jerez weekend on the right foot, with the 3rd fastest time in the morning session that guaranteed him the 5th time of the day. Today, however, everything went wrong in free practice, 13th in the morning and 20th in the afternoon, while his team and brand-mates showed a good pace (Quartararo and Morbidelli) and excellent overall performances (Vinales).
What is this slow pace due to?
“In truth, not much has changed - explained the Doctor - Wednesday morning I had put on a soft tyre and the weather is practically the same as today, but I had already suffered with my rhythm. We are working, we are trying to improve the grip at the rear to be faster. "
The problem is well-known and the new M1, which Quartararo said was more difficult than the old one, has not solved it…
"I can't say if Fabio is right, I honestly don't feel any great differences – commented Rossi - It is still a young bike, so it takes time and kilometres to find the best set-up. My problem is the same as last year: I'm in trouble with the temperature and the grip of the rear tyre. Today I was never fast and in the afternoon in the heat, I struggled even more. I don't feel comfortable on the M1, I can't get into the corners fast and I'm slow in exiting ”.
High temperatures aren't the real problem though…
"Last year in Sepang I was fast, while in Valencia, where it was colder, slow - he recalled - It all depends on how the tyres work. Physically I feel good, in Italy it was hot and therefore I'm used to this climate ".
So you have to roll up your sleeves for tomorrow…
"At least today we managed to improve in braking - a little satisfaction – Instead, we were unable to do anything about corner exit, plus we are all close together. In the afternoon I was a second slower than the first but I am third last. FP3 is very important, I have to get in the top 10, but it will be difficult considering my performance today. David Munoz has been my new crew chief for a very short time, this is our first race together, we have to understand how to solve my problems together ".
Maverick Vinales: "On Sunday I will start in front of everyone else and make the break, it's the best strategy"
Problems instead that Maverick Vinales does not seem to have. The Spaniard is happy on all fronts: pace, fast lap and tyre management. He seems to have finally found that balance he was looking for and the most important thing for him will be not to lose it.
Top Gun's comment on his day is practically the opposite of Valentino's: "I felt very good, especially in the morning. In the afternoon I tried some things with the electronics to improve in the heat and in the last exit I found something really good. We have some more ideas for tomorrow, but we must not lose our way because the bike is fantastic. "
If one really must find a defect with the M1, it is the usual one of top speed…
"From that point of view we are always at the bottom of the classification - he admitted - We have something in mind to improve, but we will have to do our best with what we have. It's a problem, but I don't think they will be able to overtake me because I exit the corners very strong”.
In addition, Maverick already has an idea of how to remedy the problem in the race…
"The best strategy with the Yamaha is to qualify on the front row, start in the lead and set your own pace, otherwise it could be complicated to be in a fight in the early laps - he explained - We have the new system for the start and it works well, but we don’t use it in the race to lower the rear like the Ducati, now we are focused on something else ”.
All that remains is a prediction for Sunday…
"I saw that Morbidelli has a very fast pace, but in this heat the race will be a totally unknown factor - he said - It will depend a lot on the choice of tyres, I am happy with how they work, in fact I was surprised because I thought they would degrade more".
The final comment was about Alex Marquez, who admitted he had been looking for a draft from Vinales today…
"No problem, in any case I continue to push to the limit - he joked - I like being on the track with another rider, it's more fun and I can understand many things, I am always very attentive to the noise of his engine when there is someone right behind me".
