Toprak Razgatlioglu is among the big surprises of this Friday’s MotoGP action in Goiânia. The Turkish rider secured third place on his M1 during the Pre-Qualifying session for the Brazilian Grand Prix, earning direct entry into Q2 and the distinction of being the top Yamaha rider in the standings. It was a result that even surprised Toprak himself, as he explained at the end of the day.
“When I returned to the pits after setting my time, I saw that I was in the top three and I was surprised myself, but I smiled. I didn’t celebrate wildly, because I’m focused only on tomorrow—today is just Friday. We did a great job; we’re in Q2, and that’s positive, but what matters are qualifying and the race, and that’s what I’m focused on,” said the Pramac team rider. “My feelings? It’s nice, and I’m happy to be in Q2, but I need to get good results. We’ll see.”
On this rain-affected Friday, Toprak was the only one to test the hard tyre and got good feedback.
“I tested this tyre at Jerez, even though it was a bit different, and I felt much better under braking and also going into the corners. With this tyre, we’re taking a small risk because, with so many right-hand turns, it’s very hard on the left side. I always stay calm going into the first left-hand corner, but then I feel that the tyre is perfect and I have great feeling on the front, especially in the last corner, under braking and on corner entry,” he explained. “I trust my crew chief and I told him: ‘This year I’ll listen to you because I don’t know the Michelins, but next year I’ll have more experience with the Pirellis.’ I trust him, and I used the hard tyre.”
Was it helpful to start the weekend with a day like this?
“I’m really enjoying myself, because I’m usually very fast in these conditions and I was in Superbike too. We did a great job in these conditions, even though I made a few mistakes on my best lap. I lose a lot in the first corner because the Brembo carbon brakes are strange: I don’t feel any power after the last corner, the straight, and the first braking point, and the bike doesn’t stop easily at the first corner. I don’t understand why, but I really struggle to stop in Turn 1. I apply a lot of pressure to the brakes, but I have no power, and it’s strange because usually the bike stops a lot when you use the brakes a lot—so you might even end up doing a stoppie,” he replied. “I don’t trust the front tyre because even when I try to warm up the brakes, nothing changes. Anyway, I think we’ll manage to get a better time by improving in the first sector. We don’t know what the track conditions will be like tomorrow—maybe it’ll be completely wet or maybe it’ll be dry—but I’m ready for both conditions, because I’m ready to give it my all again.”
Speaking about the possible causes of his brake issues, the three-time Superbike champion added: “I think it’s because of the cold, because it’s really very cold: if the track warmed up and the weather improved, I don’t think the brakes would be a problem.”
Toprak then concluded by discussing why he felt more comfortable with the Yamaha on the Brazilian track: “I believe the biggest difference is that it’s a new track for everyone. We adapted very quickly, and I’m always strong in mixed conditions, but we’ll see how it goes with the track completely dry or wet—that’s the important thing.”