Red Bull KTM Ajo rider confirms favourable nature of Silverstone with third fastest Friday time. Niccolo Antonelli places eighteenth.

On the podium for the first time last year at the British GP, Bo Bendsneyder continued to shine at Silverstone on the first day of British GP action this weekend. The Dutchman clocked the third fastest time on Friday, going second quickest in FP1 and third in FP2. Niccolo Antonelli was eighteenth overall, having taken ninth in FP1.

The suitability of the British track to Bendsneyder’s riding was clear from the start on Friday morning. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was second in the first session, with a 2:15.402 time and leading the way with 8 minutes remaining. Teammate Niccolo Antonelli entered into the Top 10 with his 2:16.177 lap.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders dedicated the first two stints in FP2 to looking for their best pace with used tyres, with Sunday’s race in mind. On his last outing, Bendsneyder improved his times and climbed up the order, moving into the Top 3 with a 2:13.523 lap. Antonelli, who also lowered his previous best time, has not yet found his best feeling with new tyres, and was eighteenth thanks to a 2:14.784 lap.

The twelfth pole position of the season will be decided tomorrow afternoon, from 12:35pm local time. Last year, Antonelli took off from the front row for the British GP.

Results (Combined practice times FP1-FP2)
1. Aron Canet (Honda) 2:13.320
2. Romano Fenati (Honda) 2:13.421 +0.101
3. Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:13.523 +0.203
4. Jorge Martin (Honda) 2:13.783 +0.463
5. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Honda) 2:13.828 +0.508
18. Niccolo Antonelli (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:14.784 +1.464

 

23 NICCOLO ANTONELLI
“This first day at Silverstone went quite well. The feeling was good from the first session, when we set a good time. During FP2 we followed the same path, but on the last stint we went out with new tyres; we don’t know why, but I didn’t feel as comfortable on the bike and it was moving around a lot. It may have been something with the tyres or the setup of the bike, although it is most likely the former. Tomorrow we will have to improve in this aspect to achieve a good position on the grid.”

64 BO BENDSNEYDER
“Today was a very positive day. In fact, it was the best first day of a GP that we have had this season so far. I’m very happy. We rode in the dry, we didn’t have to deal with rain and so the conditions were good for almost everyone. This morning the grip level wasn’t the best, yet we were competitive. We still need to find a better feeling with the front in order to be able to improve more. We have until tomorrow to finish looking at the data and take another step forward.

We are gathering the fruits of the work we’d done during the weekends prior to this; Also this track is very flowing and suits my style very well. What we have learned is that by working hard we get good results. Today we took third place and we are close to the leading riders. We have to keep our feet on the ground because the weather can easily change, and also the track conditions as a result.”