With the 2015 MotoGP season finally underway, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi returned to Qatar and finished the first free practice session under the floodlights of the Losail circuit in fourth and ninth place.
On a completely dry circuit, as opposed to the conditions last week on the final day of testing, both Lorenzo and Rossi made the most of their first practice session to be ready for Sunday’s racing action.
Valentino Rossi was also eager to get to work. He left the pit box soon after his teammate to resume the testing schedule he was unable to complete during last week’s interrupted Qatar testing session. Despite suffering from a lack of grip, he worked on the set-up of his YZR-M1 and gradually moved up the timesheets to a provisional fifth position with a 1’56.162 lap. He later dropped four places, finishing 0,881s from the leading time as the session came to an end.
Lorenzo, who currently holds the Qatar pole position record, showed he’s in good shape and ready to start the title challenge. Back to his typical routine, he left his box early and was the first rider to complete a lap around the slippery circuit. After warming up his tyres, he was quick to post consistent times under the 1’56 mark, dropping a 1’55.698 lap as his fastest time. He ended the first practice in fourth position, just under 0,417s from the front.
As Qatar is the only night race of the season, there will be a second and third free practice session today.