01 March 2020 – Losail International Circuit – Qatar.
It is news of a few hours ago that, due to the coronavirus emergency that is now affecting the whole world, the MotoGP race will not take place in the Qatar Grand Prix and that the Thai Grand Prix has been moved forward in the calendar.
As for the practice report, the pre-season tests that took place on the Qatar circuit have ended today.
The Sterilgarda Max Racing Team worked hard to try and get the most information ahead of the race, which will be held in less than 7 days. We analyze specifically the performance and progress of these tests, for each of our two drivers.
As for Romano, after skipping the first day of tests for flu, he covered a total of 69 laps, of which 35 today, still experiencing the symptoms of the flu. Fenny closes his tests in seventeenth position, with a best lap of 2’06.230, obtained in the second day of practice and with a gap from the top of 1,338 s. Romano’s team led by Lele Martinelli worked very hard to adapt the FR250 GP to the needs of our driver. We are on the right track and certainly the other three free practice that will take place before the race will allow us to achieve an even better balance.
Alonso made 130 laps in the three days of testing, getting his best performance today, when he covered 42 passes. In the combined of the three days of tests it is nineteenth, with the best time of 2: 06.310 and with a detachment from the leader of the combined F.Salac of 1.418 s. As already said for Romano, Alonso in these tests also explored various solutions for the setting. Alonso’s team, directed by Maurizio Cambarau, was formed this season and is already united and productive. It should also be remembered that both Romano and Alonso drove another bike last season, so a period of adaptation to the new FR250 GP is natural.
Alonso Lopez: “I am really happy because in these three days of tests I managed to improve step by step. I am very happy with my bike and my team and I feel very comfortable. This is very important for me and the whole team. I am more and more consistent in view of the race and I am looking forward to the start of the Grand Prix.”
Romano Fenati: ”For me, tests have been somewhat distorted by my physical condition. Unfortunately, I still have some influence and after missing the first day of practice, I did fewer laps today than yesterday. I’m still happy! Today we tried the new engine, which is really very good. In the tests we will have to work, to analyze what we have tested in these days and understand the setting to be used in the race.”
The conditions for a good season are all there, it being understood that there will be a need to work hard, but as already seen last season, this for the Sterilgarda Max Racing Team represents a constant of every race.
The appointment is for Thursday 5 March for the usual press conference, which will kick off the Qatar Grand Prix, which this year due to the coronavirus emergency will take place in a rather particular climate.
