Andrea Iannone closed the Friday of his 35th birthday with the 15th time behind Bassani. A day that saw the gaps particularly small because in one second we find 18 riders and the Go Eleven standard-bearer is seven tenths from the top.
Despite the morning’s downfall, The Maniac has managed to chart a path forward and in his opinion the glass is half full.
“I think we didn’t start with the best configuration, in fact we had some doubts at the beginning – he began – but in the afternoon we opted for a better solution for this track characterized by several ups and downs. So we improved significantly and that’s what counts”.
Andrea, can you explain the fall in the morning?
“This morning we started with the SC2 because we had to free it and you usually use it in the first session. I had done the whole weekend in Most, but I didn’t feel the right confidence. Once I got back to the garage I asked to switch to the SC1, but maybe it was still too early. Unfortunately on tracks where we stay in the corner we struggle and I slipped”.
In FP2 can we say that you found the right direction?
“In the afternoon I made a good step forward without making the most of the tyres. However, we improved the bikes from the first outing to the end without any upheavals. Good entry and front end. I think we have a good package to make a further step forward and we will confirm it tomorrow. Personally, I am very calm”.
How tough is Portimao as a track for a driver like you?
“I didn’t do the perfect lap today. Usually in FP1 and FP2 I never try to do a qualifying lap. I focus more on race pace and the truth is that I’ve only done one test here and Portimao is a complex track. Having references is not easy, even more so for someone like me who is instinctive, in fact I never look at the scoreboards. All this forces me to take a bit more time, but then in the end we manage to arrive like in the February test”.
