The Red Bull KTM Ajo team found an ideal set-up ahead of the British Grand Prix tomorrow, which they will start from the third and fifth row respectively.

A completely overcast sky marked the final Moto3 practice and qualifying sessions held today at the Silverstone Circuit. Qualifying saw Jack Miller and Karel Hanika place themselves on the third and fifth rows respectively, after marking the eighth and thirteenth fastest times of the session. Both riders were satisfied with the setup found in preparation for the race tomorrow.

Both Miller and Hanika improved their times from the previous day by over a second during the third and final practice session before qualifying. The Czech rider only needed three laps to improve on his previous day’s time, with his best lap of 2:15.261 coming during his final outing putting him fifteenth fastest in the session. Current championship leader Miller marked the sixth fastest time with a 2:14.665, after which he finished adjusting his KTM in preparation for the qualifying session.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team were back on track in the afternoon to qualifying for their grid positions. But just as in the last Grand Prix, both the Australian and the Czech were unable to manage a single clean lap. This ultimately placed Miller in the eighth position with a 2:14.184 and Hanika in thirteenth after a best lap of 2:14.531. Both riders are expecting a race with a large group contending the front of the race.

The Moto3 race tomorrow will be the last of the day, beginning at 14.30 local time. The Red Bull KTM Ajo team has won every race in the lower category at Silverstone –outside of 2012– since the World Championship came back to this track.

Results – Qualifying practice
1. Alex Rins (Honda) 2:13.112
2. Niccolo Antonelli (KTM) 2:13.224 +0.112
3. Alex Marquez (Honda) 2:13.450 +0.338
4. Enea Bastianini (KTM) 2:13.711 +0.599
5. Brad Binder (Mahindra) 2:13.768 +0.656
8. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:14.184 +1.072
13. Karel Hanika (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:14.531 +1.419

Jack Miller >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“I tried to find a clear and clean lap but it wasn’t possible today. The problem is that here in England when the wind blows, like today, the slipstream gives you a big advantage. We’ll need to adjust a few things in the morning warmup, but the bike is working well. I feel good for the race, which I think is going to have a big group at the front. We have to focus on set-up, which is really important. We also have good stability under braking and I think this will help a lot for tomorrow.

We’d have liked to be a little closer to the front, but it doesn’t matter, both a win and a podium are possible. We can do a great job tomorrow.”

Karel Hanika >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“The feeling was very good. The team has done an outstanding job with the bike. I have to thank all my mechanics because I think this has been the best weekend so far this year. We’ve done really well in all sessions. The only problem is that there is a lot traffic on track to complete a lap. To be quicker we’d had to take a slipstream, but today, I did my qualifying time riding alone. The position could have been better, but I think we’re ready for tomorrow. The race will probably be similar to Brno.”