Sam Lowes qualified 8^th for the Indonesian GP while Tony Arbolino was 10^th after a dramatic Q2 session in Lombok.

• Conditions were as stifling at the Mandalika International Street Circuit on Saturday as they were on Friday, with track temperatures reaching 60 degrees and humidity hitting 65% for qualifying.
• Saturday’s Q2 session was one of the most competitive qualifying sessions of the year, with 0.019s covering the top 3 and 0.256s separating first and 10^th!

/// SAM LOWES 8^th – 1’34.382

• Sam used the morning P3 session to demonstrate his good rhythm at the Indonesian venue once more, as he posted the 6^th fastest time, while lapping in the 1’34s an impressive 9 times.
• But a few set-up changes ahead of qualifying didn’t pay off for the Briton, who couldn’t get comfortable in the 15-minute shootout. Despite setting a lap time just 0.227s off pole, Sam was 8^th.

“It was a complicated afternoon but I’m sure we can improve”

“It was another disappointing qualifying. We changed the bike after P3 but didn’t do the best job. I struggled to be consistent and couldn’t string the laps together so it was very frustrating to not show our full potential in qualifying again. Of course, that makes it more difficult for the race. But starting there is not so far back. We need to anaylse the situation well and put the best package together for tomorrow and then see. Let’s look at things tonight so we can try and get my best feeling back for tomorrow because I nearly made a few mistakes and crashed a few times. It was a complicated afternoon but I’m sure we can improve the situation for tomorrow!”

/// TONY ARBOLINO, 10^th – 1’34.411

• After a solid opening day in Indonesia, Tony showed he had taken a small step forward by posting a strong 7-lap run at the end of the morning P3 session, when he finished 9^th.
• The 23-year old was pushing for a place in the top 3 in Q2. But a fast crash at Turn 5 put paid to his chances to improving. Thankfully, Tony was OK after the fall and will start from 10^th, on the 4^th row.

“We’re getting closer and closer to my ideal feeling”

“The second day is over in Indonesia! For sure, tomorrow is the most important day as it’s the race. The good thing is we’re getting closer and closer to my ideal feeling. It’s just the small crash in qualifying came when I was trying a few different things. That was a shame as I felt like I had more to give. But in terms of pace, I feel ready for Sunday. As always, we’ll give our everything and I think it will be a good race for us.”