The final test for current MotoGP machinery took place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya; the day after round six of the championship at the same venue. Pedro Acosta ended a weather disputed session with the fastest lap-time.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 returned to the pitbox today for the last chance to focus on settings for the current KTM RC16 Grand Prix bikes. The Barcelona test offered more track time to further refine ideas and concepts to apply to the machinery for forthcoming Grands Prix in Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, The Netherlands and Germany before the summer break.
Pedro Acosta was quickest ahead of Enea Bastianini in 3rd and Brad Binder in 12th. Maverick Viñales, who picked up his first championship points of the season the previous day, seized the chance for more mileage on the race bike to further rehab his shoulder. The Spaniard was 4th quickest. The quartet logged over 120 laps before rain arrived during the lunch break and brought an end to the session.
The Grand Prix of Italy takes the series up to round seven from May 29-31 and will take place around the high-speed curves of Mugello.
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 1st: “A short day and not too many things to try. We worked on some engine mappings and other set-up. Everything was working quite well. We have to keep working in the way we are doing because I’ve been competitive in the last races.”
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech3, 3rd: “Nothing special today. It was close to the Jerez test so we tried something on set-up, and to find more for corner entry and we improved. We also worked with the engine braking. I’m satisfied.”
Maverick Viñales, Red Bull KTM Tech3, 4th: “After three intense days I wanted to try my shoulder…and it was good. I’m happy I didn’t have any strange feeling and I didn’t lose power during the day which is a very positive sign. Today I tried the new aero that the guys used in Jerez and some suspension settings; where there is also margin to improve. Positive day, and we’ll bring some things to Mugello that will also help me with the front feeling. The guys are working very hard to make it happen.”
Brad Binder, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 12th: “Not too much mileage today and we put our used tires from the weekend. I was quite happy with the speed I could do without using any new ones. We tried a shorter damping which seemed to work quite well for the slippery track. Other than that, we tried a different balance on the bike and I wanted to set it up again before the rain came. Overall, a pretty OK test considering the laps. I feel quite good and ready to go to Mugello.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “Testing is always helpful, even if the day gets shortened, like today. The Monday sessions can be tough, especially after a Sunday like yesterday but on the other hand it’s also a good chance to see some things generally. For us today was also important to get some information. We didn’t really have any big new things on our testing program but there is always a waiting list of things to try, and our riders increased their understanding of the second homologation of aero as well as some suspension.”
Sebastian Risse, KTM Technical Director MotoGP: “This weekend was a rollercoaster for us and the test came at the right time to reconsolidate and remember our strengths after a difficult Sunday. We have been really fast here, and we have potential. We found a few more tricks today that will help, at least for this particular track, and now we’re looking to see how this might apply to other circuit layouts.”
Barcelona official test final times
1. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +1:38.767
2. Fabio Quartararo (FRA) Yamaha +0.064
3. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +0.117
4. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Red Bull KTM +0.190
12. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.855
3. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +0.117
4. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Red Bull KTM +0.190
12. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.855
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