The Malaysian party started on Friday for Tech3 KTM Factory Racing, and the rain invited itself again, a guest the MotoGP class has become accustomed to lately. Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez were returning to the Sepang International Circuit for the first time since the winter test, this time with a MotoGP season in the bag. While the morning was dry, but very hot, the afternoon session was delayed due to a heavy tropical rain which saw the FP2 start with more than one hour delay.
Following his busy home Grand Prix last week in Phillip Island which saw him scoring a point in front of a home crowd, Remy Gardner faced the extremely hot and humid conditions this morning in Sepang, a big change compared to the previous round. In FP1, it took him a bit of time to re-adapt to the Malaysian layout, but once he felt comfortable, he was able to register a lap in 2’01.704. The game changed in the afternoon after the heavy rain, meaning that FP2 started with wet tyres but could potentially leave space with a try in slicks. It was not the option chosen by Remy Gardner who rode in wet all FP2 long. His best ride in 2’10.592 placed him in P18 at the end of FP2, and P21 in the combined standing.
Eager to return to Malaysia for a race weekend this time, Spaniard Raul Fernandez was also looking forward to reuniting with Sepang, this time with more experience on the KTM RC16. Under tough physical conditions, he rode in 2’01.831 in the first of the four free practice sessions. In FP2, he seemed to feel comfortable on the drying track although it remained tricky to adapt to some parts of the track being still wet, and others dry. He finished FP2 in P14 with a lap in 2’10.392, and twenty-third overall. The action will be back tomorrow for qualifying day, with FP3 starting at 10:50 (GMT+8).
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Remy Gardner
Position: 21st
Time: 2'01.704
Laps: 33
"I did not have a good feeling with the rear tyre in FP1 this morning but it seemed like it was the same with all KTM bikes. Brad Binder put a new medium at the end and said that it was a big jump forward, so it was probably because we had a green track. We had a good session anyway. In the afternoon, it was a bit trickier as we had a bit of wet and dry, but we had a pretty good rhythm and I enjoyed riding."
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Raul Fernandez
Position: 23rd
Time: 2'01.831
Laps: 32
"Hot day! This morning we tried to feel the track, find our marks again and we decided to not use a new set of tyres, which will be interesting for the race on Sunday. In the afternoon, we had a bit of everything after the big rain as some parts of the track were wet, others dry towards the end of the session, so it was tricky to make a decision with tyres. Overall, it has been a positive first day, but we will need to analyse well tonight our tyre strategy for tomorrow."
