MAHINDRA’S WEBB HOPES FOR FIRST POINTS

British rider Danny Webb qualified 18th for tomorrow’s Portuguese GP, third round of the World Championship series. It was his best qualifying performance of the season and he knows that but for a little difficulty with his gear shift he could have been higher. As a result, he is aiming for the top 15 tomorrow, to score his first points for the new Indian-owned team.

 

Team-mate Marcel Schrötter had a troubled session, ending up 27th and with a big hill to climb. But the 18-year-old German, who scored the team’s first points at the previous round at Jerez, is also confident of better in the race.
Webb (20) will start from the sixth row of the three-abreast grid; Schrötter from the ninth.


 As well as carburettor modifications, both riders were using a new rear shock absorber for the first time this weekend, and the limited set-up time added to the difficulties of making progress in the highly competitive 125cc class. But with a full day’s testing two days after the race, and the suspension unit already performing well, the long-term prospects continue to look good.

 Tomorrow’s race, the first of the day, is threatened by bad weather. Friday was dry until a massive cloudburst struck later in the afternoon. This morning’s free practice was run on a patchily damp track. The afternoon was dry, but the number of falls during the 40-minute session and the generally slower lap times than yesterday were testament to the tricky conditions. Massive cloud banks and a gloomy forecast mean there is a good chance of a wet race ... a scenario that may suit both riders.

 

Pole position was taken by Spaniard Nicolas Terol, a massive seven tenths clear of his nearest rival.

 

Commenting on the occasion Danny Webb said, 'the session didn’t go as I’d expected. I had a problem shifting down for the corners: it would miss the gear. Because of that, I feel my position is not so bad, but I should have been further up. With the problem fixed, I can definitely move forward in the race. I am comfortable with the bike and not too bothered about the weather: I went quite well in the damp this morning, so whether it’s wet or dry I’m ready to race'.

 
Marcel Schrotter also said 'I’m definitely not happy ... I was quicker yesterday. I don’t know why, but my feeling with the bike was not like normal. I was fighting with the bike instead of working with it. Of course it’s never easy to go faster, but it should be fun to try. Me and the chassis are not working as one. I know that we are in the middle of a process of testing some new parts, so I hope tomorrow will be better when we make a few setting changes overnight. I was always alone in qualifying, then at the end, when I wanted to get in a group and improve my time, there was a small problem with the engine and I had to pull into the pits instead'.