Suzuki aims for season's best result at Le Mans

The Japanese qualified 13th with a time of 1m43.275s, only 0.519s down on Niccolo Antonelli's pole time at the French circuit.

Suzuki showed good pace in final practice finishing 10th before qualifying and is confident of a good race, aiming for his best result of the season and also bettering his 10th place in Britain, last season.

"I’ve got a good feeling for the bike," said Suzuki after qualifying. "I lost a bit of time on my fastest lap, without this we could have been close to the top.

"But I’m happy and ready for the race, I think we can get a good result. The qualifying conditions were good.

"The track got hotter the feeling became quite different, but I adapted in the end," he added.

Having scored his first points of 2016 in Jerez, the CIP rider is pleased with the progress the team is making. "We’ve been making small steps since Qatar," he said.

"I think things are going to get better and better throughout the season. I’m pleased to do well here, it’s not a track that naturally suits me, and so I’m happy to be going well."

Teammate Fabio Spiranelli suffered a nasty fall at the start of qualifying, managing 33rd in the end, as Peugeot Aleix Masbou was Mahindra's next best at 15th.

Bagnaia left reeling

Riding high after podium in the last round in Jerez, factory rider Fransesco Bagnaia was left disappointed after finishing 19th, but still within a second of polesitter's time.

"We had an engine issue, which meant that I didn’t have enough drive coming out of the corners and was losing power," revealed the Italian.

"For the race we will run an old engine, with which I am certain that we will be able to improve.

"I like Le Mans, it’s a track that is good for me and my riding style, and it’s easy for me to go fast here," he added.

"I couldn’t go fast today, so I’ll try and get a better result than last year. I want to fight at the front tomorrow; I prefer not to say exactly where, but hopefully the first few positions," he said.

Mahindra qualifying results: