Surely not the best qualifying session of the season for the Alice Team and its rider that during the qualifying session couldn’t make it to go further than the fourteenth and fifteenth best lap times. Elias, who is in front of his teammate, isn’t in the best physical conditions due to illness. Guintoli has a good race rhythm but didn’t make it to use in the best way Bridgestone qualifying tyres. Tomorrow morning the Alice Team will try to find the best set up of the bike to let its riders fight with the best in the Japanese race that will begin at 2pm local time.
Fabiano Sterlacchini Alice Team Technical Director:
“With the racing tyres Toni has gone ok. This morning he hasn’t been so constant, but in the afternoon we have solved some problems and this allowed us to make a good step forward. Toni is ill and this makes him a bit weak. With the qualifying tyres we couldn’t find the right set up of the bike, but we remain trustful for tomorrow’s race.”
Toni Elias – Alice Team Rider (14th best lap time in 1’46.958 – Total laps 20):
“Today it has been a really hard day because I didn’t feel well. I am ill and I don’t have so much energies. It isn’t the best situation for a racing weekend. This morning we had some difficulties to find the right set up and I also slipped. In the afternoon we have improved, even if I can’t be too happy. With the qualifying tyres I went really bad today and I will have to start well in the race to try to remain with the front group.”
Sylvain Guintoli – Alice Team Rider (15th best lap time in 1’47.400 – Total laps 22):
“A really bad qualifying. During every free session I went quite well and the race rhythm is good, but I am really sad to have to start so far behind. With this bike is like playing golf, when you try to push harder, as I have done during today with qualifying tyres, you can’t make it to improve. Maybe I have to be more relaxed with this bike and I don’t have to try so impetuously.”
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