Shinya Nakano and Alex De Angelis will start from ninth and tenth on the grid for the German Grand Prix, which will take place over 30 gruelling laps of the Sachsenring circuit tomorrow.
After showing excellent form over the opening three free practice sessions, both Shinya and Alex again ran into difficulties when it came to pushing for a top grid position on a softer tyre during qualifying practice.
Morale remains high for tomorrow, however, with the Japanese and the San Marino rider both looking in good shape in race trim.
Shinya Nakano (9th - 1’21”920): “The third row meets our minimum expectations but ninth position is not 100% satisfactory. This morning we struggled with the lower temperatures, which really changed track conditions in comparison with yesterday, when it was much warmer. In the afternoon we got our pace back together though and I pushed hard on race tyres, so now I feel ready for both kinds of conditions. Obviously we still have room for improvement on the qualifying tyre because even though ninth place is not bad we are only a couple of tenths off the second row and that is my true target.”
Alex De Angelis (10th - 1’21”977): “Tenth place equals my best grid position so far, which was at Mugello, but I’m not satisfied. After being so fast in the three free practice sessions I hoped to be higher up the grid. Unfortunately I still don’t seem able to get the best out of the qualifying tyre and we’ll have to keep working hard together with Bridgestone over the next few races to find a solution that best suits my riding style.”
Fausto Gresini - Team manager: “I’m disappointed with qualifying today because after three really positive sessions we haven’t made the most of the qualifying tyre and it has cost us a good position on the grid. Frankly I was expecting better, I hoped that Alex could improve his time on a qualifying tyre but he’s basically equalled his best effort from yesterday. Anyway, he was fast all day yesterday and also this morning so I’m hopeful he can have a good race. I’m pleased with Shinya’s performance because he has improved his race pace and I think he can also do well tomorrow.”
