Variable conditions in Austria, weekend finished with points despite a challenging race.

Friday, August 16th - Practices

The Austrian Grand Prix weekend begins under bright sunshine that warms up the track considerably. Free Practice sessions start with great confidence from the whole team; Matteo quickly sets fast lap times, even taking the top spot multiple times during the session. David is further back, still searching for confidence on the new track, but despite everything, he expresses his appreciation for the new circuit.

On Friday afternoon, everyone improves their times, with Matteo managing to gain two more positions, temporarily qualifying for Q2. David also makes a small step forward, though he remains qualified for Q1 tomorrow. Saturday morning's Practice 2 will determine who starts from Q1 and who goes straight to compete for pole in Q2.

Saturday, August 17th - Practices and Qualifying

Saturday starts with Practice 2, where it will be officially decided who will go directly into Q2. The weather conditions are cooler than on Friday due to the clouds, but despite this, the riders manage to improve their lap times. Matteo officially confirms his direct entry into Q2, while David will have to go through Q1, despite improving both his time and position.

David's qualifying session begins with him aiming for a fast lap right away amidst the Q1 traffic, but unfortunately, he can't place in the top 4 to advance to Q2 due to traffic during his final attempt. As Q2 begins, Matteo takes to the track, determined to improve further given the great feeling he's found this weekend. After a series of excellent laps, he qualifies in 7th position, making him the best of the Italians and the top Honda rider for the race.

Sunday, August 18th - Race

During the night before the race, the conditions changed drastically, altering the feeling the track had given the riders up until now. Matteo’s good start keeps him in the lead group, allowing him to stay clear of any issues in the back of the pack. The riders quickly split into several smaller groups, with Matteo leading the second group in an attempt to chase down the leaders.

David quickly gains a few positions, managing to maintain a good pace throughout the race despite it being his debut and despite some contacts in the early laps. Around mid-race, Matteo experiences some difficulties due to the changing track conditions but still manages to finish at the front of his group in 11th place, bringing home some points. David remains in the battle for the entire race, recovering 4 positions and finishing in 20th place in his race at the Red Bull Ring.

Riders Comments

David is satisfied with the bike and the confidence he found during the weekend: “The first lap was a bit tricky because the rider in front of me was particularly slow, and I struggled to overtake him quickly. Once I passed him and had a clear track, I felt a lot of confidence and speed to break away on my own. I maintained a good pace and consistency. It was definitely a race where I gained experience, which is always important for a debut, and now we bring home more useful data for the upcoming races.”

Despite earning points, Matteo felt he could have done better: “The race was tough. I started well but didn't have a great feeling. I tried to adapt to the different track conditions and still managed to bring home points. I'm disappointed because during the weekend, I had the confidence and speed to do even better. Anyway, we’ll keep working hard to adapt better to any surprises that may come our way.”