The 31-time MotoGP race winner is making a wildcard look this weekend at Jerez with KTM, marking simply his second outing since retiring from full-time competitors on the finish of 2018.
Although he examined lately at Jerez on the RC16, Pedrosa was nonetheless shocked when he topped FP1 with a 1m36.770s on Friday morning.
This time stored him third on the combined order come the tip of the day’s operating and has secured him a spot straight in Q2 for qualifying.
Pedrosa says his pace has been “surprising”, however he feels he can be getting forward of himself if he was to begin fascinated with podium challenges in Saturday’s dash race.
“Excellent day, surprising, for me and for the crew and for the followers,” Pedrosa, who final raced on the Styrian GP in 2021, stated.
“It was a shock, this morning particularly. I had a superb feeling. It’s really my first 1m36s at this monitor.
“So, actually completely happy to enhance my lap time with the [soft tyre]. That is good.
“Within the afternoon it was harder the monitor, with the wind and the new circumstances.
“However a few of the riders had been actually quick however the monitor was worse. However total, we’re completely happy. Going into Q2 just isn’t one thing that’s simple to do.
“That’s loads to ask [fighting for a sprint podium]. I don’t know what to anticipate.
“Anyway first, we now have qualifying after which within the race it’s important to do overtakes.
“And I don’t know the way I’ll deal with the overtakes as a result of it’s been a very long time. So, [I will take it] because it comes.”
Dani Pedrosa, Pink Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Pedrosa’s sole purpose this weekend is to collect information for KTM to assist additional improvement of the RC16, and already feels driving with the remainder of the grid has been helpful on this regard.
“It’s actually useful to study in regards to the distinction between following [riders] and never following,” he added.
“So, after I’m not following [riders] within the check I can say ‘that is higher now, however a query mark for if you comply with’.
“I can say ‘you need to verify this in that situation, or this may very well be good in a sure second’. It’s simply getting extra expertise to have an even bigger image.”
