Cal Crutchlow showed good pace again as he set the third fastest time on the first day of practice at the Octo British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The British rider has played down his chances of following up his breakthrough victory in the Czech Republic, but his form on the opening day of action at his home Grand Prix will keep the home fans dreaming of more glory.
The MotoGP field were greeted with chilly weather and overcast skies as they took to the high speed track in the morning session, with the Isle of Man-based rider setting the 11th fastest time.
In the afternoon, following a brief rain shower, Crutchlow pushed on his lap times by over two seconds, eventually stopping the clock in 2’01.917 to end the day third fastest overall, and as the top Honda rider. With more rain forecast for Saturday’s qualifying the 30 year-old will hope to get the best grid position possible before a forecasted dry race on Sunday.
Cal Crutchlow: “It’s been not too bad today. This morning I took it quite easy because we had to try a few different things with the bike. I was quite positive at the end of the first free practice, but then I was worried because it looked like it was going to rain all day and I was sitting outside the top ten.
“Then the afternoon session went well, and I was happy with the steps forward we made. We still have a lot more to do in the next couple of days for the race on Sunday, but we don’t know what the weather is going to do – it’s always a disaster like that. The team is doing a fabulous job and we’ll see how we get on tomorrow whatever the weather.”