Smith delighted with day one progress at British GP

Posted on Aug 23, 2019 by One Energy Racing

Bradley Smith ended the opening day of Moto2 action at the British Grand Prix delighted with his progress on the PETRONAS Sprinta Racing bike, successfully narrowing the gap to the leaders throughout the day’s two practice sessions. Closing to within just over two seconds from P1, he ended the day 27th overall and knowing there’s improvements to come.

Making his return to the middleweight class for the first time in seven years at his home race, Smith was able to make solid steps forward as he comes to grips with a radically different Triumph-powered Moto2 machine. But, supported by his PETRONAS Sprinta Racing squad as he deputises for the injured Khairul Idham Pawi, he knows that there’s plenty of speed left to find tomorrow.

The British Grand Prix action continues for Smith on Saturday with practice from 1055 local time (1755 Malaysian time) and qualifying at 1505 local time (2205 Malaysian time), before Sunday’s 18-lap race starts at 1430 local time (2130 Malaysian time).

Bradley Smith:
“Today has been what I expected, because when you jump into the middle of a championship everyone else is already up to speed. I’m having lots of fun though, and in the second session of the day I was able to find my own rhythm and to gauge the limit of the bike and the tyres. I’m a little far from the leaders right now and the next objective will be to move closer to the top 15. If I can continue to make the progress I made today it’ll be a good step. I’ve been able to try both tyre options, and the team have made me feel very comfortable on the bike. We’re improving little by little, and considering it’s only day one I feel like there’s a lot more potential.”