Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP concluded a challenging Friday at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, ending Free Practice 2 with positions P14 and P17. The team reported a day of careful adjustments and tire management as they worked to find the optimal setup for the demanding Austrian circuit.
Alex Rins, riding for Yamaha, showed determination throughout the sessions but faced difficulties extracting maximum performance from the bike on the tight, high-speed track. Despite consistent lap times, Rins finished the day in 14th position, just outside the direct qualification spots for Q2. His teammate, Fabio Quartararo, encountered similar issues and closed out the practice day in 17th.
“Today was about making progress step by step. We still have work to do, especially with rear grip and corner entry,” the team reported.
The Spielberg circuit, known for its intense acceleration zones and tough braking points, has historically presented challenges for Yamaha’s machinery. Both riders and engineers focused on gathering crucial data, with a renewed push planned for Saturday’s sessions.
Team Director Massimo Meregalli stated that the team remains optimistic: “We are closely analyzing the data. With further tweaking overnight, we are confident of a stronger performance in the Sprint and qualifying.”
With the grid tightly packed, every fraction of a second will prove important in Saturday’s qualifying rounds. The Monster Energy Yamaha squad will look to convert their hard work into improved grid positions for the remainder of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend.
Team V.DIR-LNK-FRM-UAE
