Miguel Oliveira started the MotoGP season with a 12th place in the first free practice of the Qatar GP. The Trackhouse Racing rider even reached the top ten, but in a session where lap times are not a priority, he lost positions before recovering to 12th.
Asked by SportTV if the Portuguese rider is more comfortable with the Aprilia RS-GP, team boss Davide Brivio confirmed, also highlighting that the start was encouraging in the inaugural session in Losail:
– Yes, because we worked all the winter and only on the last day of testing in Qatar Miguel felt more comfortable on the bike, somehow ready to push. Basically, during this first weekend we are trying to finish the job, or continue the job. But it’s good, because now he’s comfortable, so we can start working. For instance today’s practice we tested a different setting, he didn’t like, so we came back. And also he did a few laps with used tyres. The best lap time came at the end with used tyres. It’s only FP1, but I think it’s a good start.