Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

Nurburgring 24 Hours: Faultless Verstappen helps team lead Mercedes 1-2

Endurance
Nurburgring 24 Hours: Faultless Verstappen helps team lead Mercedes 1-2

DS Penske on the pace in Monaco Formula E opener

Formula E
Monaco ePrix I
DS Penske on the pace in Monaco Formula E opener

Watch LIVE: Nurburgring 24 Hours

GT
Watch LIVE: Nurburgring 24 Hours

Formula E Monaco: De Vries ends win drought, Ticktum loses podium due to penalty

Formula E
Monaco ePrix I
Formula E Monaco: De Vries ends win drought, Ticktum loses podium due to penalty

MotoGP Catalan GP: Marquez beats Acosta to sprint win as Martin crashes

MotoGP
Catalan GP
MotoGP Catalan GP: Marquez beats Acosta to sprint win as Martin crashes

Banking on success: Inside Madrid’s new grand prix circuit

Feature
Formula 1
Spanish GP
Banking on success: Inside Madrid’s new grand prix circuit

Tech3 sticks with KTM for MotoGP's 850cc era after Honda talks

MotoGP
Catalan GP
Tech3 sticks with KTM for MotoGP's 850cc era after Honda talks

MotoGP Catalan GP: Acosta claims pole as Bezzecchi and Martin crash in qualifying

MotoGP
Catalan GP
MotoGP Catalan GP: Acosta claims pole as Bezzecchi and Martin crash in qualifying

Lorenzo encouraged by strong start

Jorge Lorenzo was boosted by making a strong start to his weekend in Motegi in the first practice session this morning

The Spaniard was disappointed with how far off the pace of leaders Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi he was in the season opener in Qatar two weeks ago. But he is hopeful of a much closer fight in Japan this weekend after Friday's first session.

Lorenzo finished the session third quickest, but was fastest for much of it and was able to lap consistently as quick as Stoner and Rossi.

"I'm so happy with this practice session because we often struggle a bit at the start of the weekend, but today this wasn't the case at all," said the Yamaha rider.

"I felt great from the start. My M1 felt good when braking, under acceleration and in the corners so I think we are in good shape and now I hope we can continue like this tomorrow, even if it rains.

"In fact, I am quite curious to see what happens in the rain and how the lap time is."

Previous article Rossi fastest in first Motegi practice
Next article Rossi pleased to outpace Stoner

Top Comments

Latest news