WorldSBK made its debut at the Balaton Park Circuit today, the Hungarian track that features on the production-derived calendar for the first time this year.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi and Bahattin Sofuoglu started working on the setup of their Yamaha YZF-R1 bikes together with their technicians, getting to grips with a track they’ve never seen until today. At the end of FP1, and in hot and sunny conditions, Sofuoglu (1’42”239) was lying twentieth, Rinaldi twenty-second (1’43”74).
During the afternoon’s session, both riders were able to improve on their earlier references, with Bahattin closing twentieth (1’41”559) and Michael (1’41”983) confirming twenty-second.
Tomorrow the Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team will be back out for Superpole and Race 1.
“At a totally new track, we struggled this morning but already this afternoon the lap times improved, and this bodes well for tomorrow’s Superpole and first race.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi - Rider #21
“Considering this was my first experience of the track, it’s been a positive day. This morning I worked carefully to learn the track and collect data that would allow us to find a good setup. In the afternoon, thanks to the team’s hard work, my lap times dropped and the situation improved. We need to continue like this and put together a good Superpole so that we can aim for points in the race.”
Bahattin Sofuoglu - Rider #99
“I like this track even if it’s very technical and difficult to interpret. We made a good start but have a lot of room to improve. We improved a lot in FP2 but I’m sure we can more in tomorrow’s Superpole. A big thanks to the team for their important support.”
