GRAND PRIX OF QATAR
First qualifying practice / FORTUNA APRILIA RIDERS
FIND CONSISTENCY ON OPENING DAY
Hector Barbera and Jorge Lorenzo, as they did at Jerez, once
again filled the top two positions on the opening day of qualifying
at the Qatar GP. The Fortuna Aprilia riders were the quickest
in the 250 field and ended the day separated by just 275 thousandths
of a second, with Barbera edging out his team-mate. It was
a day when the leading riders were always separated by small
amounts, indeed the top four were covered by just 371 thousandths
of a second. Hector, fully recovered from the injury to his
right hand, posted the best time of the day on his last lap
after an all-out battle with Lorenzo and Alex de Angelis.
All the riders feel conditions will improve for the second
day of qualifying with temperatures predicted to drop.
HECTOR BARBERÁ: Provisional Pole
- 2’02.081, 18 laps
“I am happy to be fastest once again, although this
time I want the story to end differently. In Jerez I posted
the best time of the first session and then fell and could
not maintain it. The team has done a great job and I believe
we are close to getting the ideal set-up. The track is a little
dirty and I am convinced that grip will get better in each
session and that times will get better. My hand doesn’t
hurt at all and will not be any impediment in the race.”
JORGE LORENZO: 2nd - 2’02.356, + 0’275,
17 laps
“I had some problems with the set-up, although we know
which direction we need to head in and I believe we can sort
things out tomorrow. We were losing a bit of speed on the
long straight so we will have to work on that. We will also
have to adjust the suspensions to make the bike more comfortable
and to help us achieve better times more easily. The track
is a bit dirty, but its’ the same for everyone and we’ll
just have to hope it improves. I hope to fight for pole position
and to refine the set-up so we can challenge in the race.”
Fastest Lap: Hector Barbera 2’02.081
Circuit Record: Alex de Angelis 2’03.015 (2004)
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