Ono sixth and Pawi 15th on Day One at Le Mans

Weather: Dry

Ambient: 21? : Track: 26?

Honda Team Asia riders Hiroki Ono and Khairul Idham Pawi kicked off the French GP in solid style as the Japanese rider setting 6th fastest with 1m43s755, whilst the Malaysian rookie finishing the first day with 1m44s206 of 15th position.

Both Asian riders made decent start in the morning FP1. From the beginning of the session, Ono concentrated on the setup of his bike by riding alone and posted eight fastest lap time. Pawi fully utilized his experience in Le Mans that he had taken second podium last year at CEV Repsol Championship and set twelfth fastest.

Blessed with sunshine, temperatures rose to 26? in the afternoon which improved riders’ lap times almost one second from the morning. Ono set 1m43s7 consecutively at the end of the session, which elevated him to sixth and only 0.390s from the top. While Pawi have found good direction to follow on the setup and improved almost one second from FP1.

The riders will next be on track in tomorrow morning’s FP3 session, which will commence at 0900 local time (GMT +2).

Hiroki Ono (6th, 1’43.755, +0.390)

“This morning, we have started with the setting that we have tried at Catalunya test last Friday. Now I have a good feeling with my bike and I am confident that we are following on a good direction. For tomorrow, we have to improve a bit more to brake harder. In terms of my injury, it’s getting better because I don’t have to take painkiller anymore!” 

Khairul Idham Pawi (15th, 1’44.208, +0.843)

“I think we’ve made a good start today. In the morning, I had a little bit problem with sliding and improved it in the afternoon. Also, I am trying to change my riding to adapt this track by applying throttle more deliberately. I hope we can make it better tomorrow.”      

Tadayuki Okada –  Team Manager

“Thanks to the good conditions, both riders concentrated on their setup and made solid start for the weekend. It was a productive day for us because their hard work reflected on their lap time. We keep going on this way and tomorrow will be better.”

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