MotoGP – Sepang Qualifying – Capirossi heroic, Bautista positive

Rizla Suzuki rider Loris Capirossi returned to the track for the qualifying session after completely missing the final free practice session due to the nasty accident in the morning. Capirossi (P9, 2'02.522, 18 laps) had an accident on the first lap of this morning's session, was taken away on a stretcher and immediately transferred to the medical center where an x-ray and further tests carried out by the Mobile Clinic revealed no fractures in the injured right foot. The driver hurt his heel and ankle, but was declared fit to take to the track for the afternoon qualifying. Capirossi started the qualifying session with a lot of determination to make up for lost time. He made changes to his Suzuki GSV-R to balance the injured foot and then got to work to earn the best possible placing for tomorrow's race. His efforts were rewarded in the end, and on the final flying lap the Italian recorded his best time of the day, placing him on the third row of the grid. Capirossi will also have his foot treated this evening to ensure he is as fit as possible for tomorrow's race.

Álvaro Bautista (P8, 2'02.394, 24 laps) continued well today, achieving his best grid position of the year. He will start from the center of the third row, but if it hadn't been for a mistake made on the last flying lap he would certainly have qualified better. Bautista is satisfied with the race setup and is confident he can go faster tomorrow.

Today's qualifying sessions were held in scorching heat: the track reached temperatures of 52ºC. World championship leader Jorge Lorenzo won his sixth pole of the season and will be able to take home the title tomorrow.

Tomorrow's race, the fifteenth of the season, will start at 16.00 pm local time (10.00 am Italian time). Both Rizla Suzuki riders and all the other MotoGP riders are hoping that the Malaysian rain delays a bit and that an exciting race can be held in dry conditions.

Loris Capirossi:

“I'm a bit angry about this morning, I was quite optimistic for this race because the winter tests had gone well and I thought I could do well this weekend, so I'm very sorry for what happened this morning. This afternoon I tried to race as best as I could, but I'm not in very good condition so I'm happy with the third row. We need to see what happens tomorrow, we still have some electronics problems – although at the end of the session we found a solution. I'm optimistic for the race and I hope that tomorrow goes better than today. I'm happy to be back on track after that accident and tomorrow I will try to do my best for the whole team.”

Alvaro Bautista:

“It's strange because it was my best qualifying of the year, but it doesn't feel like enough. We have to be positive anyway, it's our best position and we have to make the most of it. Today I managed to cover the entire race distance on soft tires and maybe I have some grip problems on the last lap, but in this category the first laps are really important so we still have to decide if we will use the soft compound to make the most of the first stages of the race. At the end of the session we fitted a new rear tire and my lap times improved. On the last fast lap I made a mistake in T2, but in T1 and T3 I went better than my fastest lap so perhaps without that mistake I could have finished better and qualified further. The gap I have from the leader is not much and if tomorrow we manage to get off to a good start I think I will be able to stay with the leading group. The first laps will be fundamental, I have to make the most of them.”

Paul Denning – Team Manager:

“So far the Malaysian weekend has been a real disaster for Loris. This morning's accident was serious and very painful. It is extraordinary that Loris managed to get back on track already this afternoon. Due to the accident we weren't able to try the changes we wanted. Now he can't put weight on his right foot, so his qualification to the third row is simply a heroic feat. The race distance will be very difficult for him, but we thank Loris for all his commitment and efforts today and hope that he will be much better tomorrow.

“Álvaro's session was very strange. He couldn't find the pace or position on the track that suited his potential and when he did, he made a couple of mistakes. Eighth place is still his best placing of the season and Álvaro is convinced he can improve in the race. We have full faith in his potential and look forward to the Grand Prix starting.”

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP