Ducati Blog

Nicky Hayden pulled off a surprising but excellent Free Practice 1 result in a rainy Friday afternoon in Indianapolis—his best result so far in any race-related session. Last year, in somewhat similar weather conditions, he finished second.

“The bike felt pretty good from the beginning and after trying something new on the other bike, which didn’t work, we went back to the standard setting and went from there. The track was really tricky because there were sections with a lot of standing water and others where the grip was amazing – you had to be really on your toes.”

“Over the last couple of laps I just went for it because I knew I had a chance to be on top today and this is the highest I’ve been in any session this year. I’m up front with a smile on my face, so it ain’t so bad!”

“If something unexpected happens and it does rain in qualifying or on Sunday we have got some great information, but we only have a little bit of dry data. It is nice to be wet because I can be at the top, but I really need more dry time. If it is going to be dry on Sunday we want it to be dry on Saturday so that we can get a direction because it takes me time to get on the pace.”

Related posts:

1. Ducati riders on Donnington Free Practice 1
2. Casey Stoner tops Free Practice 1 at Qatar
3. Hayden misses on podium but happy to be back on form
4. Casey fastest in Free Practice 1 in Germany
5. Stoner and Hayden talk about Sepang test