FP1 ‘like a wasted session’ - Rins, Mir optimistic about wet/dry performance

Alex Rins and Joan Mir have continued Suzuki’s recent one-lap improvements to claim top ten spots on day-one of the Valencia MotoGP. 

Both riders will need to do the same during Saturday’s FP3 if they are to gain direct access to Q2, however, it’s a good start to the weekend, especially in Rins’ case as he finished fourth fastest - four tenths down on Jack Miller’s top time. 

While Rins ultimately finished ahead of Mir on combined times, the latter was slightly more consistent across wet and dry conditions. But with no more rain expected throughout the weekend, Rins is looking to build on his already ‘solid’ potential in the dry.

"My first day here in Valencia wasn’t so bad, it’s a shame that FP1 was wet because it was almost like a wasted session – the forecasts say we won’t get any more rain this weekend," said Rins. 

"But you know, you have to tackle each session as it comes. In FP2 I had pretty good pace and we made a good step today. 

"Let’s try to get the best set-up for tomorrow and attack for qualifying."

Mir, who took his best ever MotoGP qualifying result last time out (P3), will be hoping for a similar result this weekend. 

The Spanish rider's lone MotoGP win came in Valencia 12 months ago, so if he can continue to find gains over Saturday’s time-attack runs, the 2020 world champion should be in with a chance of delivering a repeat result come Sunday - a victory which is much needed for the team after being winless so far this year. 

Speaking after his seventh place finish on Friday, Mir said: "It was a positive day for us, trying two different conditions. This morning I felt great in the wet and I was able to build up a good performance from the beginning, so I was pretty happy with that. 

"Then in the afternoon I still had some work to do with the dry set-up; I didn’t feel fully confident. 

"But the base is fine, so I feel quite optimistic for tomorrow. Let’s see what we can do, I’m looking forward to it."