He needed a good day riding the GP24 after the most difficult weekend of the season. The day wasn't exactly an exotic paradise in Sepang, amid downpours and drizzle, but Franco Morbidelli still ended his pre-qualifying in 7th place, hitting the key Q2 target just two thousandths behind his teammate. Di Giannantonio came in 6th and was the first Ducati of the day. It was a good one-two for the yellow VR46 team but less so if you see ot from Borgo Panigale's viewpoint. Even in Malaysia, at least today, they're reckoning with the gap left by Marc Marquez.
"We worked a lot today, trying to improve the sensations and, in the end, we did it," he said. "This is the most positive thing of the day, in addition to being in the ten. So, I'm satisfied with the work carried out this Friday. We need to continue to work and improve, but we started really well, and that's positive."
Today, the track never seemed exceptional in terms of grip, with the dirt, the morning downpour, and the afternoon drizzle. How much do conditions like these affect your work?
"The work program has definitely decreased compared to the usual. We'll have to make those few laps that were done today count, although they weren't even very few, in the end."
But how realistic do you think the pre-qualifying rankings are? Do you expect a reshuffling tomorrow?
"The MotoGP, apart from Marquez, has always accustomed us to reshuffles, so we'll see."
Ducati has confirmed Bulega's test in Jerez and the desire is to line up Nicolò in Portimão and Valencia. What do you think?
"Nicolò deserves it. He's had a great year. Itìs really a pleasure to see him riding on the Panigale, and I'm very anxious to see him on the Desmosedici. It's going to be good because his riding style is very fascinating. I definitely won't be able to focus too much on 'Bubi' and his riding, but I'll take time to enjoy him because he's a rider who rides really well."
Di Giannantonio: "As long as the knees don't get wet, it's dry"
As mentioned, the rider from Rome was the best of the Ducatis on the track today, continuing in the wake of what he did in Australia. The weather and the chaotic situation during Practice didn't allow him to get a very precise idea of several things, like the race pace. But, nonetheless, he said he was happy with the time attack and confident for the continuation of the weekend.
"I'm happy because the feeling wasn't great this morning, but we understood the problem fairly early and contained it by becoming fast again in pre-qualifying. The tires were different but, other than that, the feeling with the bike was completely different. The session was a bit chaotic because of the weather. When I entered the track for the last run, it reminded me of Mugello 2022 when my coach told me, 'until your knees are wet from the rain, it means it's dry.' I trusted him and did a very good lap. I'm realistic. A 58.0 isn't the track record. We still have to work a lot but, for today, it's okay.We hit the day's target," he said, referring to the Q2.
Were you confident in the time attack?
"We got a lap in the time attack, even though our set-up is still making us suffer a bit. My goal for tomorrow is the front row, and I'm confident I can get it."
Instead, did you get a feel for the race distance?
"We didn't do as many laps on the same tire. This morning, we used the medium, but the asphalt was very dirty, and there was no grip. It's still hard to say, but the soft that Michelin brought this year is too soft for the long distance. We have to wait until tomorrow to understand better."
Who did you think was better today in terms of pace?
"The Hondas did very well, Franco did a great job, Aldeguer was strong on pace. But, from session to session, a lot can change, also because the best engineers are working for the riders in the MotoGP. Right now, the riders who managed to stay in the top ten aren't the ones with the best pace."