It’s been a tough 2021 season for Pol Espargaro and Repsol Honda Team but at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, the Spaniard was able to secure his debut pole position with HRC – and a best Sunday result of the season in P5.
Speaking after the weekend at Silverstone, Repsol Honda Team Manager Alberto Puig believes Espargaro was able to return to his “true level” and display exactly why HRC chose him to be Marc Marquez’ teammate.
“This weekend has been a very important turning point for Pol Espargaro. I think he has made a massive step compared to what he has been doing so far throughout 2021,” began Puig. “I think that the way he approached the race was very good and he was able to show his potential, his real potential. Pol is a rider who can be in these positions, so we hope from now on he can continue in this way and keep making progress.
“We are very happy for him inside the team and HRC, it has been difficult for him, and he deserved this good result. He was fantastic during qualifying to take pole position and although he was of course aiming for the podium in the race, he has been able to make an important step and return to his old form.”
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RENEWED CONFIDENCE FOR POL ESPARGARO AFTER BREAKTHROUGH WEEKEND
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HOW DID MARC MARQUEZ AND MARTIN EXPLAIN THEIR LAP 1 CRASH?
Espargaro claimed five podiums with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2020 and was arguably one of the stand-out performers. It’s been no secret that HRC have struggled compared to other factories this year, but at Silverstone, Pol Espargaro showed they’re heading in the right direction and very soon, they should be fighting for podiums every weekend. It’s where Pol Espargaro, Marc Marquez and HRC belong.
“The positive is that Pol Espargaro has been able to return to his true level, he has shown the reason that we asked him to join HRC,” continued Puig. “His goal was to put a good race together and build himself up, we were not looking for the podium. When you start the race from pole position, normally your aim should be the podium, but this was not the case.
“Anyway, it’s true that Pol had a big drop with his rear tyre, maybe our decision with the soft one was not correct. Above all, the important thing is his return to being fast and having a good weekend from Friday to Sunday.”
Head over to Box Repsol to read Puig’s full quotes, including his reaction to Marc Marquez’ unfortunate Lap 1 crash.