Maverick Vinales says he left his “best for the last bike”, as he planned a three-run strategy in MotoGP Australian Grand Prix qualifying, but was denied the chance to use it due to the rain.
Saturday's Q2 session was affected by brief, sudden shower bursts bookending the 15-minute shootout, with a number of riders getting caught out by the conditions.
Vinales pressured eventual poleman Marc Marquez for top spot on his final lap after setting the timing screens ablaze in the first three sectors, but lost out in the last part due to the return of the rain.
The Yamaha rider admits he had planned on making three runs, and that his “best” was left for the final one, but is pleased to be starting from second after a difficult Japanese Grand Prix last weekend.
“The qualifying was good, I was expecting a little more but when I arrive to sector four [on my final tour] it was raining and I could not finish the lap,” he said.
“So I'm actually pretty happy about how the bike was working, even if I was planning to make three time attacks.
“I could only make two, so for sure I left the best for the last bike and I could not even jump on this bike.
“So I'm actually really happy, the bike and the team is working really well. We are honestly doing nothing on the set-up, just riding and doing a lot of laps and getting used to the bike.
“I'm happy because after Japan I was really disappointed, the bike was working quite bad but it seems to work better here and I could be more constant, especially on all the fast corners.”
Zarco happy to come out of 'scary' qualifying with third
Yamaha stablemate Johann Zarco guided his Tech3-run two-year-old M1 to third, two tenths shy of Vinales' effort, but admits it was “scary” to push in the mixed conditions and was happy to come out of qualifying with his second front row in succession.
“I'm pretty happy about the first row, today was qualifying was really difficult with some rain,” the Frenchman commented.
“Even if we know the track is dry, you must go and you are scared with the rain. So I was scared, but I was happy the laptime was coming good until the last lap.
“I try always to improve, but with this scare I couldn't, and after this scary qualifying I am so happy to be third because it is an advantage for tomorrow.
“It's also showing I have the potential to fight with the guys in the race, the pace is maybe not bad – better than what I got in Japan.”
