Italiano
STRONG COME BACK IN RACE 1, FROM P 16 TO P 7!
Saturday of lights and shadows for Team Pata Go Eleven and Andrea Iannone at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve; FP 3 and Qualifying struggling, where the changes made to the Ducati Panigale V4-R did not give the desired results, to which a penalty on the grid for Race 1 was added. When the green light came on, however, a super comeback began that brought the number 29 to seventh place in the final standings, improving his best lap after lap.
In FP 3, starting with a used tyre from yesterday altered the values on the field, not allowing to understand the direction of the changes, then with the SCX, trying the time attack, the difficulties in the second and fourth sectors were accentuated, the two areas of the track that are causing the rider from Vasto the most difficulty. At the end of the session, while slowing down in the middle of the track after a grip lost, forced Andrea Iannone to suffer a penalty of three positions on the starting grid for Race 1.
Free Practice 3:
P 1 T. Razgatlioglu 1.39.446
P 2 D. Petrucci + 0.356
P 3 A. Bautista + 0.555
…
P 12 A. Iannone + 1.514
In qualifying, Andrea opts to start with the 125 tyre (the race one), but in the first attempt he makes a mistake in the second sector, never finding confidence with the rear; in the second exit he switches to the SCX, but does not go beyond the thirteenth time. Disappointing Superpole, but it is part of racing and what matters is to focus on recovering in the Race. A step back in terms of set-up going towards the best sensations found between the various sessions.
Superpole:
P 1 T. Razgatlioglu 1.39.081
P 2 N. Bulega + 0.245
P 3 D. Petrucci + 0.402
…
P 13 A. Iannone + 1.285
When the lights went out in Race 1, Andrea got off to a good start and, taking advantage of the chaos of the first lap, crossed the finish line in twelfth position. He overtook Lecuona to enter the Top Ten, battled with Alex Lowes, then the British rider slipped on turn 1, leaving the way open to number 29. Towards the twelfth lap, the race of the Pata Go Eleven rider ignited, and, improving his Best lap after lap, he recovered until he was battling with the GRT Yamaha duo for seventh position. Best lap six laps from the end, so much so that Andrea, at that point, was in line with the podium times. Double overtaking on turn one, taking home P7. A true fighter’s race, pushing right to the finish line. Unfortunately, starting from the back penalises him, but the pace shown in the second part gives hope for Sunday.
P 1 T. Razgatlioglu 33’39.732
P 2 N. Bulega + 0.067
P 3 A. Locatelli + 7.855
…
P 7 A. Iannone + 18.775
Zero points last year in Race 1 at Portimao, nine points this year, the goal of improving has been achieved, but there is certainly the potential to achieve more. The fourth sector is where the biggest difference is found compared to the Red Ducatis, a sign that the margin is there. Finding something from the data of Race 1, we can aim for the Top 5 tomorrow.
Andrea Iannone (Rider):
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“A complicated Saturday, but where we came out with a solid result, by getting a seventh in race 1. This morning we hadn’t taken the right path, then the wrong qualifying, added to the 3-position penalty, further complicated things. Starting from so far on the grid is not easy even if you have a good pace. Andrea was particularly performing from halfway through the race onwards, with used tyres he was able to be very fast and in the last 8 laps he completed a strong comeback. Now for tomorrow we’ll try to find performance also in the first 5/6 laps of the race, this is our goal, and we’ll try to do something nice in the Superpole Race and Race 2”
SATURDAY PICTURES: CLICK HERE
