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Despite his being the only one of the KTMs left out of Q2, Friday at Aragon spread a slight smile on Enea Bastianini's face. The position is 13th and the top 10 slipped away by a couple of tenths, but for the first time since he starting wearing orange the #23 has finally felt the beneficial effects of a change to the bike's set-up. Continuing to transform his style to fit the needs of the RC-16 is the primary goal, and by the rumors hovering around the Tech3 team, for now, he is not letting himself be distracted.
"Today the day went a bit better," he began with cautious optimism, "To be honest this morning the situation was the same as always, but in the afternoon we tried something new on the front and the second bike worked well. Already from the first lap with this bike I improved. On the one lap I tried my best, I lost a little bit in sector 2 due to a steering lock. Other than that today I had the chance to go into Q2. When I finished the lap I even turned around to check the maxi screen to see if I had succeeded. This is the first time I've felt a change. Usually we touch something, we do something, but I don't feel anything. Whereas this modification I felt it. So I am more satisfied."
We know you went to Austria to do some aerodynamic testing.
"Yes, the bike is now a little more stable for me. Now I am more or less in line with the other KTM riders. I usually don't like to do that, but this bike works better that way. We did a good job today, but we also need to find something else for tomorrow. Also I'm waiting for more adjustments for the seat, that's a priority."
Today there are three KTMs in Q2 and you, precisely, made a step. In your opinion, is it the track that particularly suits the RC-16 or has there been a real improvement?
"I definitely found something. I felt a little more comfortable and I could hold the line better. Here, for example, my strong point has always been Sector 3, and today I am first there. That means something positive we brought out, that doesn't take away from the fact that my style still doesn't fit this bike."
How is the grip on the track?
"It's low, really low. We have to manage this, because from the new tyre to the used one there is almost no difference. Especially the feeling with the front remains more or less the same, just the new rear has a little extra grip. I didn't compare the soft and medium tyre today, but Maverick did and we'll look at his data."
Specifically what problems are there with the front tyres?
"They move around. Even if you use the harder compound the problem remains the same because the grip is really low. The soft is too soft, I think the medium might be the best choice. In my opinion everyone will go with the medium on the front tomorrow."
Doesn't the soft give a big advantage on the one lap either?
"You don't make a big step. Maverick in his lap-time was fast with the medium. I think it will be possible to use it, also because it gives more stability."
At this time the market is in a lot of turmoil. There has also been a rumor that the Tech3 team may switch to another brand. Are these things distracting you?
"No. I'm trying to give my best, I'm not thinking too much about the future. Now I'm trying to adapt my style to this bike, because the RC-16 can go fast but it doesn't fit my style. It's hard to ride the opposite of how you've always ridden, and I'm focused on that. I have a contract with KTM anyway."
Today Marc Marquez was in a different sport. Did you happen to get close to him on the track?
"We were close this morning, but he was going two seconds faster, so...," the Romagnolo laughingly chuckled.
