MotoGP points leader Valentino Rossi has admitted he could be in trouble if temperatures at tomorrow’s Aragon MotoGP round continue to rise towards race time.
The Doctor is struggling with feel and tyre life from the available Bridgestone compounds when the track temperature gets above 30°C, so Rossi says he is going to have to find something overnight to try in warm-up even though the track will be cool first thing tomorrow morning.
“Today was more difficult compared to yesterday, mainly in the afternoon. This morning we start well with some improvement in the setting, I was quite fast with the pace and a lap with the new tyre was not so bad but in the afternoon because when the temperature raise, I am in a bit of trouble with the tyres,” said Rossi, speaking at Aragon.
“With less degrees, I am able to keep a good rhythm but in the afternoon I have too much degredation. Also with the front but mainly with the rear and the thing I am more worried is my pace because I am half a second slower than the top three so we need to find something for improve and save the tyres more. The warm-up will be important.
Rossi was seen slowing down twice during qualifying two and said that he was trying to shake off Andrea Iannone, who was looking for a tow.
“About the qualifying is not fantastic but the second row is not so bad. I can make a little bit better, I wasn’t able to do a great lap but sixth place was not a disaster. I am more worred about the feeling with the tyre,” continued Rossi.
“I have Iannone always behind, so I stop, then he stop, then I stop, we stop together, it was a good moment! After he start to improve the laptime and me only a little bit.”
