Petronas Sprinta’s John McPhee claimed a Saturday Q2 spot and 12th on the grid after sitting out of Misano’s Friday action with the flu.

McPhee had a steady FP3 as he acclimatised to the wet track and his physical conditions after being forced to withdraw from Friday practice due to the illness, ending the morning’s 40 minutes 26th in the standings before securing his shootout place with the third fastest lap of Q1 - a 1’50.260. He was unable to beat it in Q2, however, settling for 12th at the end of the session with a fastest time of 1’50.695.
 
“After not being able to ride yesterday because of the flu, I was just happy to be able to swing my leg over the bike today,” McPhee said on Saturday.

“We were feeling our way in FP3 and checking my physical condition, before going into qualifying with no expectations. To finish third in Q1 and make it into Q2 was a big achievement. We then managed to finish Q2 in 12th and secure a place on the fourth row, so all things considered it’s been a solid day.

“Another period of rest will do me the world of good, so hopefully we should be in better shape for the race tomorrow.”