At the Lusail International Circuit, Fantic Racing Lino Sonego’s Aron Canet took third place in qualifying, while Barry Baltus will start from the third row.

The Fantic Racing Lino Sonego riders were in the mix right from the start of the Qatar GP. On Friday, both of them dedicated their sessions to finding the right feeling and working on their race pace. Racing at night, the difference in temperature between one session and another can make a big impact, so the key is to focus on maximising the result in the race. In Practice, Aron Canet took second place, while Baltus finished seventh. Both earned direct access to Q2.

In qualifying, the 25-year-old Spaniard gave it his all and delivered a great lap that secured him a spot on the front row, with a time of 1’56.593.

Barry Baltus proved to be fast but was unlucky at the end of the session. A bad fall of a rider ahead of him in the final lap caused a yellow flag, which was soon followed by a red flag. As a result, the Belgian was unable to complete his flying lap and will start from ninth on the grid in tomorrow’s race.

Aron Canet: “I am coming, I am working a lot with my team and also with the physiotherapist to fix the shoulder issues. The important thing is that I will start from the front row tomorrow. The choice and management of the tyre will be crucial. I want to fight and go for the first win of the season.”

Barry Baltus: “I am not satisfied with today’s qualifying, the yellow flag prevented us from finishing the last time attack. However, I am satisfied with the work we have done so far, we have been competitive in all conditions. Now we have to focus on the race, where the tyre choice be crucial. I am confident and determined. I want to fight for the positions that matter.”

Roberto Locatelli, Fantic Racing Lino Sonego Team Manager: “We have worked hard. In FP2, we focused on trying out solutions for the race. It was a good qualifying for Canet who got the first row, and it could have been a good one also for Baltus, if it wasn’t for the yellow flag. We are here to try our best and we want to prove it tomorrow.”