Capirossi pins hopes on new engine

The team's lack of straightline speed became apparent in winter testing, and a revised engine is on the horizon - although it will not arrive as soon as Capirossi had hoped.

"I've put a lot of pressure to try to have it for Mugello, but I think it will be almost impossible," he told Italia1 television. "We'll probably have it in Barcelona, and we'll try to improve our position.

"I'm confident, and I'm doing my maximum. In the hard times you need to put the effort in and that's what I'm doing."

Capirossi qualified eighth at Le Mans today, and again rued the lack of track time following two partially wet practice sessions.

"We are struggling a bit, we aren't yet able to overcome these difficulties, we need more time," he said.

"Unfortunately the weather conditions never help us. Today's qualifying session was overall good. We worked hard and did a few set-ups, so I must say I'm fairly well sorted.

"I have a problem most of all in T4 where I'm slow and we must understand why. Then we'll see for the race. As pace is concerned we aren't completely bad, but we are seven tenths behind pole, so we'll see what happens tomorrow."