Pedro Acosta secured 9th place in his first MotoGP Sprint in Argentina, starting from 5th after qualifying. His teammates faced challenges, with Brad Binder DNF-ing and Enea Bastianini finishing 14th. The team aims for improvement in upcoming races, focusing on traction and bike performance.
Pedro Acosta achieved a commendable 9th position in his inaugural MotoGP Sprint held at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in northern Argentina. He commenced the race from a promising 5th place due to his qualification performance with the KTM RC16. Despite tough competition, with Enea Bastianini finishing in 14th place and Brad Binder experiencing a DNF on the first lap, Acosta’s performance stood out as he adapted well to the track conditions in only his second outing of the season.
Under cooler weather conditions, Acosta executed a strategic race over the 12 laps, successfully managing to reach 5th at one stage before concluding the event in 9th. This result came after a solid start in Q2, as he worked to familiarize himself with the Termas layout. Binder, who had initially qualified 11th, faced unfortunate circumstances when he fell during the race after contact with another rider. Bastianini, having qualified 21st, showed resilience by finishing in 14th after several adjustments throughout the sessions.
Brad Binder noted the quick turn of events in the race, stating, “Definitely a shorter race than I would have liked… Not ideal but part of the game and we’ll see what we can do tomorrow. I think we’ll be OK in the longer race.” Bastianini expressed the need for improvement, mentioning, “I need more feeling…and we need to work.” Acosta’s perspective was more optimistic yet pragmatic, emphasizing the necessity for enhanced traction in future races while celebrating the points he earned today.
In contrast, Maverick Viñales struggled to find the right set-up during the Sprint, which hindered his performance. He highlighted his learning process, reiterating, “Every session we made some changes… but I don’t think it was the right way in the end because the differences were too big.” Team Manager Aki Ajo remarked on the overall performance, acknowledging that the team had progressed from their efforts in Thailand yet remained focused on analysis and improvement moving forward.
In conclusion, Pedro Acosta’s 9th-place finish in his first MotoGP Sprint in Argentina marks a promising start to his season, reflecting his ability to adapt swiftly to new challenges. Despite mixed results for his teammates, the team remains optimistic and focused on improving performance. As they prepare for the next race, strategies to enhance traction and bike handling will be vital for future success.
Original Source: www.totalmotorcycle.com
