Luca Marini Delighted By Sepang Qualifying and Sprint Simulation
Categories: MotoGP
The VR46 Racing Team is picking up where they left off in 2022. Luca Marini is delighted by the Qualifying and Sprint Simulation of his GP22.
After his fantastic lap at the pre-season test in Sepang, which incidentally missed Jorge Martin’s lap record by only 0.1 seconds, Luca Marini is optimistic for the new season.
The 25-year-old had already been the fastest at the post-season test after the season finale in Valencia.
While other teams and riders still have to get used to their new bikes, the 25-year-old is already 100% confident with his old familiar companion.
“I know the DNA of the Ducati very well and like it a lot. I think I can really use the bike’s potential now.”
“If we put away our mistakes from last year, we should be able to fight for top positions regularly this year,” Marini believes.
Ready for the Sprint
The 25-year-old hopes to be “in the fight for podium places at all the races”. However, this does not make him the secret favorite for the coming season, he thinks.
“The other manufacturers are also making a really strong impression this year and the other Ducati riders are certainly candidates in the world championship battle.”
Marini is delighted with the Sepang test. Especially the qualifying pace gives the Italian hope. Last year he often failed in his hunt for his first MotoGP podium finish due to insufficient qualifying pace.
“It was a fantastic test. We tried everything we had planned. The feeling on the bike is very good. And the lap time was also really good at the end.”
Nine Italian bikes in the Top 10 after Day 3 of the #SepangTest 🔥
— MGP1 (@mgp1official) February 12, 2023
Will Honda and Yamaha find a way to the top in 2023?#MotoGP | #MGP1 pic.twitter.com/hWswvwRTH5
The VR46 Racing Team also added a simulation of the newly introduced Sprint races to the program for Marini.
“The sprint simulation went very well,” he notes. “I had a really good feeling on my ten laps. But of course, in a real sprint race, it won’t be quite so easy.”
“This time I was on my own and could ride my line. In the races, with all the other riders on the track, I expect a lot more battles.”
