Australian GP: Gresini Racing qualifying report

TEAM SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI SECURE TOP TEN STARTS IN AUSTRALIA

Qualifying practice for the Australian Grand Prix took place today at the Phillip Island circuit, featuring notably improved performance from Team San Carlo Honda Gresini.

Shinya Nakano and Alex De Angelis qualified ninth and tenth fastest respectively, although their starting positions are still not a true reflection of their race potential after impressive performances during practice.

Nakano declared himself satisfied with his race set-up and confident about tomorrow's race, when he will use the warm-up to make final improvements to his RC212V.

De Angelis is also optimistic about tomorrow's race after setting a good race rhythm around a circuit that is particularly suited to his riding style.

Shinya Nakano (9th - 1'29''710): "During free practice yesterday and this morning we tried a few things and put a decent pace together. Even though we weren't consistent we put a lot of fast laps in. In the afternoon we changed the front setting a little to try and get a bit more out of the qualifying tyres and with the last one we improved. I'm satisfied with my race pace and happy with the position on the grid. We need a little more traction for the race tomorrow so we'll experiment with a modified rear setting in the warm-up."

Alex De Angelis (10th - 1'29''925): "Qualifying today was back to the same level as our normal standard but in general our race pace is even better than the grid position suggests. It will be important to get a good start tomorrow, make up some places and try to have a good race. We've definitely got the potential to stay in the top ten."

Fausto Gresini - Team Manager: "Ninth and tenth place isn't bad, even though in reality we want to be fighting higher up the grid. We didn't quite reach the level of performance we'd hoped for in qualifying but I think that in race trim we can hope for more. It will be important to start well from the third and fourth rows and to stay focused. There are plenty of places to overtake here, with the onus on the rider and not necessarily the engine, so we're looking forward to tomorrow with confidence."

-credit: gresiniracing.com