23 April 2022 – Autódromo Internacional do Algarve – Portugal

The day of the qualifying of the Portuguese Grand Prix was characterized by a very variable weather, which, especially in free practice in the morning, saw the presence of a lot of rain.

The rain, combined with very low temperatures, prevented most of the drivers from improving their times. Both Ayumu and David have retained their positions in the combined free practice rankings. For this reason, Ayumu, thanks to the twelfth position, gained direct access to qualifying 2, while David for a few thousandths had to face Q1.

Also during the first qualifying session it continued to rain and, due to the treacherous conditions of the track, we have to point out two slips for our rookie Salvador. The first one took place in turn 14, when David was improving. Our rider promptly picked up the bike, which did not report any damage, returning to the track. Unfortunately in his last time attack, he had another fall in turn 10, after being passed to the second split-time with a gap of 0.303 s. David at the end of the session got the time of 2’09.228 and tomorrow he will start from the 21st position.

As we already said, Ayumu took part in qualifying 2 and, without making any mistakes, he progressively lowered his time. In fact in the meantime the weather conditions changed again and, after it stopped raining, the track started to dry progressively. Ayumu, at the last of the seven laps completed, got the time of 2’05.395, with which he will start from the tenth position on the grid tomorrow.

Following the words of the protagonists of this Saturday’s Portuguese Grand Prix.

AYUMU SASAKI : “It was a good day already in free practice 3. I managed to get into Q2 , but in qualifying I was expecting a little bit more. We struggled a little bit with the grip in the beginning of the qualifying due to the new tires. In the last two laps I felt good, I started to push again, but we finished P10, which is good. We did not have any crashes in qualifying and that also was good. We know that we could have improved a little bit more, but we are in P10 and that means we can fight for the podium and the win. Tomorrow we will be ready for either a wet or dry track. I feel good, I am confident and we will see what we can do tomorrow.”

DAVID SALVADOR : “Today because of the weather conditions it was a very difficult day, but I’m happy because the feeling with the bike is good. Unfortunately I fell in Q1 during the time attack. I’m sorry because I felt able to get into qualifying 2, but this is all part of my growth process. For the race it is necessary to work with the team and I will have to give more gas, in order to improve the position of Austin.”

MAX BIAGGI – TEAM OWNER : “Even today the weather has been the protagonist, changing the cards on the table several times during the various sessions. Ayumu will start tenth tomorrow and, if as expected there should be sun, it will be necessary to evaluate the right setting, in order to be competitive on dry conditions. David was fast again today, but unfortunately two mistakes prevented him from passing qualifying 1.”

Results Grande Prémio Tissot de Portugal 2022 – Qualifying

Pole – Deniz ÖNCÜ (KTM) 2’03.955, 10. Ayumu SASAKI (Husqvarna) 2’05.395, 21. David SALVADOR (Husqvarna) 2’09.228.