Gresini Racing Test Summary

Simoncelli Puts Race Disappointment To Set Fastest Time In Estoril Test

Marco Simoncelli

Photo by: Team Gresini

A day of testing provided an important opportunity for Team San Carlo Honda Gresini to put the disappointment of yesterday's race behind them and what better way for Marco Simoncelli to do so than by setting the fastest time. The Italian's form carried on from a dominant weekend at Estoril despite the bitter finish in Sunday's race. 'Super Sic' completed 70 laps of the Portuguese circuit, maintaining his excellent level of performance throughout. The Italian tested a new front fork set-up as well as trying some 2012 Bridgestone tyres. It was also a positive test for Hiroshi Aoyama despite the tiredness following yesterday's race. The next appointment for the team is the French Grand Prix at Le Mans on 15th May.

Marco Simoncelli (1st 1’ 36” 211 - 70 laps) “To get back on the bike and complete such a positive test, setting the fastest time, after the disappointment of yesterday actually makes me even more angry. What can I say other than it was important and it would have been much worse to go straight home – at least this way I can do so feeling a little more happy. We did a good job today working on the forks and trying the new 2012 version Bridgestone tyres as well as a few other things. It was a positive day and now I can go home happy and looking forward to the next race at Le Mans, where I want to properly get over the disappointment of yesterday.”

Hiroshi Aoyama (11th 1’ 38” 032 - 73 giri) ”It hasn't been an easy day because I was particularly tired after the race yesterday but it was a positive test because we were able to try a lot of things that it is really difficult to do over a Grand Prix weekened. I could maybe have set a faster time but it was important for us to fully understand the changes we made. Anyway, we were still faster than we managed in the Grand Prix and it seems the 2012 tyres performed well. Overall it has been a positive test in view of the next race.”

Fausto Gresini “After today's test yesterday was an even bigger shame! It has been a really positive day and Marco had to let off some steam. He has worked well on some different suspension settings as well as some technical solutions provided by HRC and we are particularly happy. We have also tried some new Bridgestone tyres which were better and the lap times proved that. Within the team there is calm in the knowledge that there is a champion working well with us and with Honda, who have provided a very competitive bike. Hiroshi has also done a good job, concentrating on improving his set-up and despite being tired he has improved on his best time from the Grand Prix.”