Petronas Sprinta’s John McPhee gambled on slick tyres for the wet Moto3 StyrianGP finishing 13th after the Spielberg surface failed to dry as quickly as predicted.

McPhee was unfortunate to lose positions off the line after contact on the opening lap. Starting 11th, he found himself 19th and with damage to his Honda. Holding position as the race unfolded the Scot began to increase his pace at the halfway point, picking off places as the laps counted down and crossing the line with a points scoring, 13th place finish.
 
“It was definitely a gamble going with the slick tyres but we thought it might have paid off,” McPhee explained from the Austrian paddock.

“If there were an extra few laps or the race had started later it would have worked. We had to take a risk because I know it can work, I was on the podium in 2019 here in similar conditions.

“It was a shame not to be able to capitalise on it but things were tricky after contact with another rider early on, meant that I broke my fairing and lost my rear brake. I was struggling a bit after that but I had fun out there; it was good to get a couple of points and I’m looking forward to doing it again next week,” he concluded pragmatically.
 
With both Petronas riders opting for the slick tyres, team boss, Johan Stigefelt explained the decision further.

“It was hard to make a decision on the grid because we wanted to gamble a little bit and we thought it would dry a little faster than it did. It was drying and I think we made the right decision in using the slicks, but it just didn’t dry fast enough.

“Both Darryn and John did an amazing job, especially in the difficult conditions at the beginning. They managed to stay on the bike and, in the end, finishing sixth and 13th is a good result.

“Hats off to both of them for riding like they did in these conditions. It also looked like they had fun out there. I think if there had been a few more laps Darryn would have caught the top-three and John would have been top-ten.”