Kornfeil puts Peugeot in Top 3 on final Moto3 test day
Peugeot's Jakub Kornfeil made it three different Mahindra-powered teams in the lead in the official pre-season Moto3 test at Jerez.
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
The Czech rider's best time of 1m46.473s in Session 1 was enough to put him in third, 0.209s behind day's topper Nicolo Bulega abode the Sky Racing's KTM.
Kornfeil completed a total of 48 laps on the Peugeot-branded Mahindra's MGP3O bike, while rookie teammate Patrik Pulkinnen was 31st in the standings.
Having lost some confidence-building laps on Day 2, the Finn rider was able to run for a total of 68 laps and dipped into the 1m49s barrier.
Meanwhile, the Aspar riders Lorenzo dalla Porta and Albert Arenas were 19th and 22nd respectively, the former banking on the new engine to be fitted on the Indian manufacturer's bike in Qatar.
"It has been a very interesting third day. We improved our race pace even though we didn't do a simulation because we still have work to do," he said.
"We are getting close to where we need to be and it will be important to arrive in Qatar feeling calm and confident that we can take that next step and be pushing at the front.
"I know that we can and that is what we are going to try. We get the new engine in Qatar and for sure it will help. The key is to have the best possible set-up for the chassis."
Arenas, on the other, completed a race simulation in the second session, but could manage only six laps in the final one.
"Our overall reflections from Jerez are good. This morning we tried for a fast lap but we were a few tenths short," said the Spaniard.
"Then for the second session we decided to try a race simulation, although it was the hottest part of the day. Even so, I felt comfortable, I set a consistent pace and I was close to my best lap.
"We are working with the new suspension and shock they brought for us here to try and find some more pace.
"We are finding a good set-up and I hope that when it comes to Qatar and we need to find something extra for a fast lap we can make the most of the soft tyre and also complete another race simulation to make sure we are competitive on a used tyre."
CIP's Marco Bezzecchi finished 26th completing a total of 52 laps, while teammate Manuel Pagliani, who didn't run in Session 3 was 30th overall.
Day 3 test times - P1 & Mahindra riders:
Pos | Rider | Team/Bike | Time | Laps |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nicolo Bulega | Sky Racing Team KTM | 1m46.264s | 52 |
3 | Jakub Kornfeil | Peugeot | 1m46.473s | 48 |
19 | Lorenzo dalla Porta | Aspar Mahindra | 1m47.311s | 44 |
22 | Albert Arenas | Aspar Mahindra | 1m47.502s | 45 |
26 | Marco Bezzecchi | CIP Mahindra | 1m47.702s | 52 |
30 | Manuel Pagliani | CIP Mahindra | 1m48.361s | 36 |
31 | Patrik Pulkkinen | Peugeot | 1m49.910s | 68 |
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