Valentino Rossi was not jump for joy after the third free practice Qatar Grand Prix yesterday , but the Italian seemed happier than on Thursday after the first session. Rossi is working hard on the bike, looking for a good set up more than a good lap to make up the time table and warns that "this is not over, the result is given on Sunday night," referring it is not the first Ducati ...
"I've done quite well in the sense that we have improved the pace, we were more consistent, we have not made a big step, but I can ride the bike better. Then we tested with a soft rubber and I turned quickly, I hope tomorrow ... would be nice to leave on Sunday from the second row of the grid, I do not see an impossible goal, I think we could qualify in the second row, "said the Italian star.
"We've been better than in previous workouts. In my opinion we have improved, we made some changes for this final session. We are still a bit far but now I can fly a little better and that makes me more optimistic, "he maintains Vale.
On what still do not like about this bike says that "we are noticing much understeer, but what this bike is very positive about the past year is that we can push much more than before, because the front of the bike now tells us more, there is a better feedback and this is an important thing. Now we have to seek to improve because we have always had to drive with the rear wheel. "
Despite improvement has not been the best Ducati. "Yes, I've gone a little better but Barbera and Hayden are in front, but hey, this is not over yet, wait and see on Sunday night. But the truth is that Barbera and Hayden are going very strong, but we are close and hopefully tomorrow we can improve a bit more. "
The difference with Barbera, however, was four-tenths ... "yes, four tenths because Barbera has taken the wheel of someone (Lorenzo) and has the time, but if you got it right. Nicky is working well too and that means that we too can improve. "
You are experiencing a lot, a role that formerly were not comfortable doing in the Grands Prix. "We are working on the bike, this bike can fly a little better, the front now gives us feeling better but still the problem of understeer that we are trying to solve."
"We have to stay focused at work and keep improving. I think tomorrow we can do better and we need two or three tenths to have a good rhythm and can fight with those who want to do and also to drive more consistently, that's a good goal. "
On race tires, Valentino commented, "I think it will be hard, Bridgestone has done a good job with the soft rubber on the security issue, but in my opinion will not be adequate."
source: motocuatro
