Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing is facing significant challenges at the Spanish Grand Prix. On the opening day at the Jerez circuit, Bezzecchi placed 13th in the morning’s free practice session and 12th in practice one, solidifying a tough start for the team. Despite some progress, Bezzecchi did not secure a spot in Q2, a situation he addressed with candid reflections.
Bezzecchi acknowledged improvements throughout the day, even as struggles persisted. He mentioned that during his second time attack, yellow flags disrupted his chances to better his time. He explained, “We made some improvements during the day even if we are still struggling, plus there were some yellow flags in the second time attack, so I couldn’t improve. To get into Q2, I would have had to lower my time by a tenth. Ifs and buts don’t make history, but I would have tried.” This shows his determination but highlights the challenges still ahead.
Improvements were evident as the day progressed, yet stability in braking and acceleration remained an issue, as Bezzecchi admitted. “Overall there was some progress, but we are still far away, so there will be work to do this evening. Is Q2 doable tomorrow? That is the goal and I will give everything to succeed,” he continued. Despite the difficulties, his optimism for improvement was clear.
Further detailing his experience, Bezzecchi noted, “We improved from morning to afternoon, but we still suffer with the new tyres. In my first attempt, I took a lot of risks and I was able to do a good time, but then, as I said, the yellow flags bothered me.” His persistence in facing such challenges adds depth to his struggles at the Jerez circuit.
Beyond the complications with tyre management and stability, the Jerez track itself offers a distinctive challenge. Bezzecchi described the circuit as “fantastic and now much safer in some corners.” He commented on the intricate nature of the Jerez layout, saying, “After the flood, they did a great job. Being a narrow track, with close corners and coming from a layout as wide as a highway like Lusail, it is not easy for our bike in light of the current problems, but this is what it is, and we will have to roll up our sleeves to fix everything.”
This sentiment underscores the complexity of the challenges that remain, comparing the difficulties faced at Jerez with other circuits like Austin or Thailand. Despite the complexities, Bezzecchi remains committed to finding a path forward.
As the analysis of the stability issues continues, Bezzecchi is working closely with his team to identify solutions. He remarked, “On some circuits, the bike reacts better than on others. In Doha, as here, Friday proved to be more complex than in Austin or Thailand. In the tests, we reached a good level, while the others hid. From then on, there weren’t many changes; in any case, we will continue to work to try to make progress.” His resolve is evident, illustrating a blend of optimism and determination to overcome these hurdles.
The conclusion is one of hope mingled with realism. “Where the stability problem comes from, on entry, as on exit, I don’t know exactly. I think it’s the result of a mix of aspects. For this reason, at the moment, I’m not asking the team for anything specific, but together with the technicians, we are analysing to find a solution,” Bezzecchi confessed. As he tackles the ongoing challenges at Jerez, his focus remains on continuous improvement and strategic problem-solving.
