Petronas SRT’s John McPhee had a strong start to his Moto3 FrenchGP preparations setting FP1’s fastest time before concluding Friday in the top-12. 

A dominant force despite the tricky, cold and damp conditions experienced in FP1, McPhee maintained front-running pace throughout the morning session before ending the opening 40-minutes at the top of the times, over half a second clear of the rest of the field, with a 1’53.294 lap. 

The Scot immediately improved upon his morning time as FP2 began and by the halfway point the Petronas rider was firmly inside the top-10. Despite a worrying final minute that saw him teeter on the edge of the all-important promotion zone, McPhee ended the day 12th in the overall times thanks to his closing 1’42.890 effort, with provisional entry to Q2. 

“It was a solid day one here in both wet and dry conditions” McPhee said from the Bugatti paddock. 

"In FP1 we just worked to find our own pace and rhythm, and managed to end the session over half a second clear of the next rider. This was a nice way to start the weekend. 

“In the wet conditions there is room for a small improvement, but generally it just comes down to finding a rhythm and flow with the track. I felt good in the dry as well, did my best lap time alone on track and was six-tenths off. 

“There’s definitely room for improvement, some of that to do with my riding, but I’m excited for tomorrow and working towards the race. The biggest factor is going to be what the weather does, but we’re ready to put on a good show in either the wet or the dry.”