Corsi impresses with NTS debut at Misano
Simone Corsi made an impressive debut today at NTS RW Racing GP on the Misano circuit. The Italian finished the first day of the GP of San Marino and Riviera di Rimini in 21st place in the combined standings. Teammate Bo Bendsneyder finished the day in 26th.
Corsi was more than a second faster in the second free practice than in the first session. In the first practice he made it to 1.40.477. Bendsneyder was slightly faster with 1.39.935. In the afternoon the roles were reversed and Corsi set the twentieth time with 1.39.225. Bendsneyder was a little behind with 1.39.772.
Corsi knows the track like the back of his hand, but has only been on the NTS once before, during a test in Austria. At Misano – the circuit where he made his Grand Prix debut in 2001 – the 32-year-old Italian replaces Steven Odendaal, who split with NTS RW Racing GP after Silverstone.
“Simone brings a new impulse to the box,” commented NTS RW Racing GP team manager Jarno Janssen. “On his first day on this motorcycle, he is at less than a second from the top: that’s great. He does indicate that he wants a number of things differently about the machine and we too learn from that. On the other side of the box, with Bo, there is more work to do. He is slightly behind. The times are ok in most sectors, but in sector 2 he loses too much.”
Bo Bendsneyder: “In FP1 I had a good feeling with the hard tyre, but in FP2 we were unable to make a step. It was not a great day and that is why I am happy that Corsi is here. Now we can see and compare where he is faster and what he does differently. I think we can only benefit from that.”
Simone Corsi: “It is nice to return to my home-Grand Prix and I am happy with this opportunity from NTS RW Racing GP. It certainly didn’t go too bad. FP1 was difficult and I had to get used to the machine, but in between the two sessions we worked well with the team and changed some things, making it much better in FP2. With a gap of less than a second I am quite happy. Now we have to look where there is more improvement and I hope to be able to push for a good position tomorrow.”