Japanese
Grand Prix race report
MAHINDRA’S
MAN TAKES FIGHT-BACK FOURTH IN JAPAN
Motegi,
Japan, October 27, 2013: Mahindra MGP3O rider Miguel Oliveira produced a hero’s ride
in today’s Japanese Grand Prix – overcoming a sixth-row start to fight his way
through to fourth place in the race in a fine demonstration of speed, skill and
aggression.
The
18-year-old from Portugal had been caught out by conditions: on the only Indian
machine in international bike racing to visit the challenging Twin Ring Motegi
circuit. Foul weather courtesy of Typhoon Francisco meant all free practice was
cancelled, with just one wet session to determine grid positions. Working to
refine set-up, Oliveira qualified 18th in the lottery; team-mate Efrén Vázquez
21st.
Race
day was dry, but one more practice session on a track with damp patches was cut
short by swirling fog, though sunshine greeted the starting grid for Moto3™,
the first race of the day.
Vázquez’s
luck remained bad: he made a good start and was gaining position when another
rider brought him down.
But
Oliveira was riding like a man possessed, slicing through his rivals to gain
seven places on the first lap alone.
He
took fifth place on the eighth of 20 laps of the 4.801-km circuit in hilly
country north of Tokyo. By now the leaders were too far ahead, but Miguel drew
safely clear of his defeated rivals, and was promoted to fourth when one of the
leaders crashed out ahead of him.
Eighteenth
equalled his worst previous qualifying position at Austin, Texas (compared with
pole at Assen and three other front-row starts). The feisty teenager finished a
fighting fifth in that race.
The
Mahindra MGP3O was designed and built in record time over the winter for its
first race-development year, and proved competitive from its debut. Two races
ago, Oliveira claimed a historic first-ever top-three podium for an Indian team
and motorcycle.
The
season finale is at Valencia in Spain in two weeks, where Mahindra still has
the chance to take second overall in the Constructors’ Championship, just nine
points behind its nearest rival Kalex-KTM. Oliveira is secure in sixth overall,
but has the possibility of claiming fifth; while Vazquez is in the battle for
eighth.
Footnote:
Brad Binder, riding Ambrogio Racing’s first customer Mahindra, was tenth at
Motegi, putting two of the exclusive Indian machines in the top ten. Copyright © 2013 Mahindra
& Mahindra Ltd.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA – Fourth Position
“I
knew we could be fast in these conditions – but my qualifying place from
yesterday didn’t help, and I was caught up with the mess of other riders on the
first lap. I tried to recover some time, but it was really hard to catch the
front guys. Spending one-and-a-half days in the pits without riding slowed us -
this bike is sensitive to setting changes. But it was the same for everybody,
and I hope the result can help us in the championships.”
EFRÉN
VÁZQUEZ – Did Not Finish
“I
felt confident after the morning session, with a good rhythm and pace. My plan
was to stick with Miguel and try to follow him through. I made a good start,
but in the third corner somebody crashed into me. It seems now normal in this
class with so many young riders that if you are a crazy rider you think you can
win.”
MUFADDAL
CHOONIA – CEO, Mahindra Racing
“We
were a little lucky, with a couple of riders going out from the lead group, but
it was again a brilliant ride by Miguel, from 18th through to fourth. It shows
how important it is to get a good starting position. Had we started on the
first or second row, I’m certain he would have been in the fight for the
podium. Efrén was very unlucky, with another rider crashing into him. We came
here with no data and there was virtually no dry practice time. Full marks to
the technical team for an excellent job. We’re all happy, but not happy with
how we qualified. Now we look forward to the final round in Valencia.”
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