Enea Bastianini ended the first day of free tests from the Grand Prix de France 2025 at Le Mans with a 13th time, shortly missing direct access to the Q2. In difficult weather conditions – strong and cold wind – the Tech3 KTM driver has displayed encouraging progress, although adaptation to RC16 remains a challenge. His post-school statements reveal measured optimism and a determination to take advantage of this weekend to continue its rise in power.
Enea Bastianini continues its rise in power in the universe KTM. For its first season with the team16 of the team Tech3the Italian showed himself in constant progress during the First day of free tests from the Grand Prix de France. Thirteenth in the combined classification, he failed only 0.172 seconds of direct access to Q2 – a detail revealing the current extreme competitiveness of the MotoGP plateau.
« Today was a positive day, where we have progressed round after tour, and I am satisfied with our progress “Said the Rimini pilot. “” The strong wind and the cold were not easy to manageand many pilots are very close on this circuit, but we must remain positive because we were closer to the Q2 than ever this season. »
Enea Bastianini: « Each circuit this year is a reset to me »
The contrast with its difficult beginnings on the KTM is clear: Le Mans represents a real turning point. If raw performance is not yet completely there, the feeling is progressing. “” We had difficulties at the start of the turn, especially in turns 1 and 2”He specifies. “” And we have to drive differently from last year under these conditions. »
-Bastianini insists: each circuit is a complete rediscovery, as the RC16 requires a radical adaptation compared to the Ducati that he was still driving in 2024. ” Each circuit this year is a reset to mecar The KTM behaves differently from what I was used to in the past”He admits. “” But we work there, and I’m sure we will continue to progress this weekend. »
A stone’s throw from the Q2 and much closer than during the previous heats, the “Bestia” seems to have finally found a course to follow. Now it remains to convert this dynamic into performance as of the qualifications on Saturday, to replace itself in the leading peloton and reconnect with the standards that are expected of a former Grand Prix winner.
MotoGP, France J1: classification
: “We were closer to Q2 than ever this season”){kind=link}