The Reale Avintia Racing Team concludes an Australian Grand Prix that leaves a bittersweet taste to the team. Karel Abraham scored two points after finishing 14th. Tito Rabat, who was suffering from physical problems, had to retire at the beginning of the race.
It’s been an intense Sunday at Phillip Island. After strong and threatening winds blowing at the Australian circuit on Saturday, the decision was taken to cancel and postpone qualifying until Sunday morning. Karel Abraham, who started 16th in the grid, has managed to cross the finish line in 14th position, adding two important points after some difficult last races. The Czech rider has reached a good pace throughout the race that has allowed him to finish in the top fifteen. Tito Rabat had to retire with twenty-three laps to go due to problems with his right hand that he has since Japan. The Spanish rider tried to follow the pace of the race, but the strong pain in his hand made it impossible for him to finish.
With no time to rest, the penultimate race of the World Championship and the last of the Asian tour, the Malaysian Grand Prix, will take place next week. The Reale Avintia Racing Team faces the weekend at the Sepang International Circuit with the motivation to score points and to make a good performance before the final race of the season in Valencia.
“Today it was less windy, we wanted to try to get out and try to follow the group, but it was impossible. I had a blow to my hand before Japan, my tendon hurts a little and it’s more than it seems. You have to be careful. We will see if in Malaysia we can go back where we deserve.”
“For sure it was not the best race that we have done this season but it was OK. I’m really happy for the points that are obviously very important. We were still struggling before the start of the race to choose the rear tyre because I was not sure about the conditions and the weather, but finally we chose the soft option, but I’m still not sure if it was better or not. It was very difficult, especially the end of the race where the rear tyre was not working anymore and I was struggling a lot, but we managed it. Also, before the end of the race, I had a big slide, I was very close to crash and I was overtook by Syahrin, but I overtook him back, and unfortunately in the last lap Viñales had a big crash and I took two points which is great and I’m really happy to add more points in the championship. Even though it was not the best race, it was a good race by performance, being there and consistent lap times. We are still aiming to be there one group ahead, I think this is something that we have to achieve.”
