Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) got straight into Q2 at the British GP, eighth on the combined timesheets after the first three practice sessions and lining up in P11 on the grid after Q2. The positivity didn’t end there as the Granollers native fought it out at the start and found he could keep the pace well – only finding himself losing out once the rear grip started to drop.
A moment after the flag with a mechanical issue couldn’t dampen the weekend, which was another incredible sign of progress for the Austrian factory. Espargaro says the differences between now and the race in Barcelona are marked – and that they’re learning more and more.
He luchado tanto como he podido! En Misano más! Vamos mejorando! ???????? Not an easy race, fighting against lack of grip! But we're improving! ???????? pic.twitter.com/14279UFAV0
— Pol Espargaró (@polespargaro) 27 August 2017
Pol Espargaro, P11: "Maybe we started today with the bar set a little bit too high following a great Brno, Spielberg and then a great first run in qualifying here (seventh) but we didn't expect these conditions to be so hot and that maybe hurt us a little. At the start of the race I could follow the top guys and do some good laps but step by step the rear tyre dropped a little bit as the hard compound didn't help us so much. But... no excuses... At the start we could fight when full grip was there and we've learnt more as a team to eventually be only 30 seconds off the winner whereas in June at Barcelona we were much more. We are improving...but we remember these improvements don't come easy and that is why the team and the guys at KTM Motorsport in Austria are on it."