Published October 17, 2025 by Michael Le Pard , Editor‑in‑Chief
Andrea Locatelli and Jonathan Rea started the final round of the 2025 FIM Superbike World Championship with Friday Free Practice at Circuito de Jerez in Spain today.
The Pata Maxus Yamaha pair focused on race set-up for their respective Yamaha R1 WorldSBK race machines, working to combat the October heat and find confidence in the Pirelli tyre options available for the main points-paying races this weekend.
Both riders commented on front tyre feeling in particular and will work with their crews and Yamaha’s engineers this evening to find a step in performance ready for tomorrow.
Saturday begins with a slightly later start time for Free Practice 3 at 9:15 CEST, followed by Superpole at 11:00 and Race 1 at 14:00.
FULL FREE PRACTICE RESULTS
Andrea Locatelli: P9 – 1’39.514
“We were working a lot during FP1 and FP2, because we know that this track is a bit strange, especially in October with these hot conditions. We need to focus a lot to find a good feeling with the front and also manage the rear grip. But, I’m quite happy to find a good balance today with my R1, we are still working but we did some good things around the bike – trying many different things to understand and confirm that some set-up settings are working better than others. I am looking forward to tomorrow, I want to be positive for this last race weekend – it will be 20 Laps and difficult for everyone in the hot conditions, but I hope to find a good feeling tomorrow morning on the set-up improvements and then make a good Superpole qualifying especially, to be able to start well in Race 1.”
Jonathan Rea: P11 – 1’39.568
“It’s been a frustrating day to be honest because I’ve really struggled with the feeling on the bike, struggling to finish the corner and have a good front tyre confidence. We’re paying the bill a little bit not testing here over the summer, but we’re coming here with an R1 that has been in the base set-up window over the last few races and we expected that to work. It was a surprise to be struggling, we need to improve the feeling and then everything will come, the consistency and the lap speed – but right now, we really need to go over all the data, the comments and I think start with a new set-up tomorrow that gives me confidence with more natural turning so that I’m not forcing it. With the high temperatures and the delicate front tyre on this track, the more we try to force it, the more counterproductive it can be. We’ll look at it all tonight, we have one more FP3 before Superpole to try to make a step and hopefully we can hit the nail on the head.”
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