Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 excited the fans with another riveting performance at the crew’s home Grand Prix in France. Pedro Acosta qualified on the third row of the grid and rode the ragged edge to score 6th at Le Mans. Augusto Fernandez crossed the line in 17th.
Le Mans roasted in a summer ‘preview’ thanks to blue skies and temperatures in the mid-20s in northern France. Round five of MotoGP took place around the famous setting and 4.1km Bugatti course that has staged the world championship each year since 2000. Le Mans teemed with fans from Friday and was sold-out in many areas for the quali and Sprint action on Saturday.
Pedro Acosta raised eyebrows with yet more impressive rookie speed in Practice on Friday and ensured direct Q2 entry. Augusto Fernandez concentrated on shaving his lap-times and strategizing his tire choice through Q1 on Saturday morning. #37 had a late crash that hindered any chance of Q2 but took 20th and narrowed his objectives for the afternoon. Acosta held a top six slot and was on the second row until a spate of falls and yellow flags meant that he could not create a faster lap and ended the session in 7th.
The Sprint was run across 13 laps and Acosta engaged in a very watchable mid-top ten scrap. He fought with more experienced riders while touching the limits through the final sector of the circuit. Pedro stayed upright and scored Sprint points for the fifth GP in a row. Augusto used the Sprint distance to search for grip and better traction and with a view towards the full-length Grand Prix distance on Sunday. The contest starts at 14.00 local time and will last for 27-laps as a potentially changeable weather forecast lies in store.
Pedro Acosta, 7th in qualifying, 6th in the Sprint: “Well, we have the capacity for more! I made a good start but I was not prepared for everybody on the inside to be so ‘gentle’ and give space for the others on the outside to pass! Anyway, I’m happy because we had the pace to fight for the podium and we were able to manage the tire.”
Augusto Fernandez, 20th in qualifying, 17th in the Sprint: “The Sprint was really tough and I am more angry than disappointed. I had nothing from the rear since the beginning and it was something I haven’t had before. In the morning, practice was not too bad, and the lap before I crashed was more competitive. I am finding my feeling and speed again and this is positive.”
Nicolas Goyon, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 Team Manager: “A decent Saturday. This morning’s qualifying was a bit chaotic with the yellow flags, and in these conditions Pedro saved a third row spot which wasn’t his target but still a decent start. He made a strong pace to take a promising top six: a good result and he learned more today. On the other side, Augusto was struggling for most of the day and for the Sprint and he could not reach the level he expected. We might have to play with the weather tomorrow, so we’ll keep working to be prepared for the best conditions.”
- From GasGas Factory Racing Press Release
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