It was a good return to the office for Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) as he ended Day 1 at the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky as the third fastest rider on circuit, with himself and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) both setting a 1:56.071 in FP2.
Upon reflection, Miller was more than pleased with his first day back at work as he admits the bike is working really well around the Automotodrom Brno, the Aussie also confirming a few little updates helped him out today.
“I just felt really comfortable as soon as I hopped on the bike,” said Miller, who finished P6 in FP1 before claiming third place by the end of play on Friday. “I haven’t been on asphalt since the Sachsenring, so it feels good to be back, the bike is working really well here. The last couple of tracks haven’t been ideal for us but it’s nice to do a few tracks in a row where the Ducati can show its strengths. A few little updated parts helped out there today as well.”
Rain is forecast for FP3 and potentially qualifying too. A damp track is something that excites Miller, all you have to do is harp your minds back to Argentina 2018 to see that. But in terms of qualifying for the Czech GP, FP2 was made all the more important as the top 10 looks set to be the ones who have automatically qualified for Q2 – and Miller is right up at the sharp end.
“That’s the reason we put the extra tyre in today,” commented Miller about potential wet weather on Saturday. “Track conditions, to be honest, aren’t that great. The track is really, really bumpy. Grip level wasn’t ideal, but the tyres were all working pretty well all across the board: hard, medium and soft, so that’s good. I’m excited for tomorrow, it might be a little wet, so we’ll just have to wait and see in the morning. Hopefully we’ve already secured our spot in Q2, fingers crossed, and we’ll see what we can do.”
We also saw the two factory Ducatis of Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci trying a new aerodynamic fairing. So, when will Miller get a go? “Mine is at the painter, we got it quite late. It was either have it on Monday here in black and then not have it in Austria or send it away for painting and use it in Austria, so that’s what we have done. Interesting to see how the boys went on it today, I’m interested to hear the feedback on it. From what I know it’s their first taste of it, so it’ll be interesting. Nice to give the bike a little facelift.”
What will the weather bring on Saturday? Miller sounds ready whatever conditions he’ll face. Tune into a potentially damp FP3 at 09:55 local time (GMT+2).