Bagnaia says red flag helped seal front-row start in Malaysia Moto3
Aspar Mahindra's Francesco Bagnaia says he is satisfied with the top three result in Malaysia's Moto3 qualifying, in a red flagged interrupted session marred with heavy rainfall.
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
The Italian has shown strong pace throughout the weekend so far ending in the top three in all the practice sessions - including topping FP2.
Bagnaia continued his good form in qualifying ending third, 0.127s behind polesitter Brad Binder and just 0.034s behind Jorge Navarro.
"It was a very difficult session because at the start we went out with a dry set-up but on wet tyres," the VR46 academy rider said.
"The red flag worked in our favour because it gave us time to correct that and try to recover. In the end third place is a good result for us.
"We are strong in wet and dry conditions so I am sure it will be an interesting race," he added as he looks on to fight for second in the riders' standings.
Meanwhile, teammate Jorge Martin who endured tough practice sessions, had a major improvement in qualifying with a eighth place finish.
"We went out on slicks and than on wets with a dry set-up, and then when we had it just right it started to pour down," the Spanish rider said.
"I was a bit worried because of yesterday but we improved our situation and moved up from 21st to eighth position.
"If it is a dry race we can be up at the front and if it is wet then we are one of the top four. I improved by two seconds from yesterday to today.”
Suzuki leads rest
CIP's Tatsuki Suzuki looked good in the mixed conditions at the start of the session, but with others improving, the Japanese rider was 16th in the end.
Behind Suzuki, it was a huge gap with the lone Peugeot of Albert Arenas at 27th heading the rest of the riders abode the Indian manufacturer bike.
Platinum Bay's Marcos Ramirez in 28th and Darryn Binder 31st sandwiched the Team Italia duo of Lorenzo Petrarca and Stefano Valtulini.
Meanwhile, CIP's Fabio Spiranelli did not take part in the qualifying session.
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