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Andrea Iannone concluded the Friday of his 35th birthday with the 15th quickest time behind Bassani. A day that saw the gaps particularly small because in one second we could find as many as 18 riders and the Go Eleven rider was just seven tenths from the top.
Despite the morning crash The Maniac managed to chart a course and in his opinion the glass is half full.
"I think we did not start with the optimal configuration, in fact we had some doubts at the beginning - he began - in the afternoon, however, we opted for a better solution for this track characterized by several ups and downs. So we improved markedly and that's what counts."
Andrea, can you explain the crash in the morning?
"This morning we started with the SC2 because we had to dial it in and you usually use it in the first session. In Most I did it all weekend, but without feeling the right confidence. Once I got back to the pit I asked to switch to the SC1, but maybe it was still too early. Unfortunately on tracks where we stayon lean we struggle and I slid off."
In FP2 can we say that you found the right direction?
"In the afternoon I made a good step forward without making the most of the tires. However, we improved the bikes from the first exit to the end without any upsets. Corner entry was good and so was the front. I think we have a good package to take a further step forward and we will confirm that tomorrow. Personally, I am very calm."
How tough is Portimao as a track for a rider like you?
"I didn't get the perfect lap this day. Usually in FP1 and FP2 I never look for the qualifying lap. I focus more on the race pace and the truth is that I have only done one test here and Portimao is a complex track. Having references is not easy, even more so for someone like me who is instinctive, in fact I never look at the timing boards. All this forces me to take a little more time, however, then in the end we manage to arrive as we did in the February test."
