Technical issue on the start for Mulhauser, Josh Hook crashes out
The worst possible scenario unfortunately materialised during the Japanese Moto2 Grand Prix on the circuit of Motegi. Staring in practice, Thomas Lüthi (Derendinger Racing Interwetten), who qualified second on the starting grid – only behind the world champion and race winner today Johann Zarco – lost all his chances on a wet track. With an abnormal front tire wear and a crash with no physical consequences, this race and all hopes ended prematurely. Furthermore for the Swiss team, Robin Mulhauser (Technomag Racing Interwetten), had a technical problem on the start that forced him to start from pit lane when the race had already started two laps earlier. Young Australian Joshua Hook (Technomag Racing Interwetten), who will be replacing Dominique Aegerter also next weekend in Phillip Island, crashed out as well. Today was a difficult day for Frédéric Corminboeuf, the team boss: “We were all confident, Tom was excellent in practice, although his morning’s warm-up wasn’t the best, we knew that he was able to stay in the front also in wet conditions. Unfortunately he had the same problem as in Silverstone: his front tire got immediately destroyed. We absolutely must find an explanation and fix this problem because this is probably not the last time this season that we race in the wet. As for Robin Mulhauser, what can I say, the bad luck seems to be following him. This morning in warm-up he was fifth fastest, which was amazing after a more difficult practice. When we were just about to start the bike to prepare for the warm-up lap, the fuel pump broke down. After an outstanding qualifying session on Saturday and a good warm-up, Josh struggled to find a good feeling on the bike. Perhaps he put a bit too much pressure on himself when he realised that the conditions could allow him to shine. He crashed, however, he has demonstrated this weekend that he deserves to be in Grand Prix and we all look forward to seeing him in action in his country next week in Phillip Island.”
They said…
Robin Mulhauser (Technomag Racing Interwetten, 23rd): “When we were just about to start, my fuel pump broke. It is hard, we have had so much bad luck. This morning I felt really good on the bike in the warm-up and although I imagined that the track would dry during the race – I would have preferred a completely wet race – I hoped to benefit from the situation to get a good result. But I did not get this opportunity. I must remember one important thing: my performance, a fifth position, in warm-up this morning and I have to tell myself that the day will come and bad luck will leave me alone.”
Joshua Hook (Technomag Racing Interwetten, DNF): “This is definitely not the kind of race that I wanted to offer to those who trusted in me and gave me Domi’s bike. I felt quite good this morning but as the track was drying, we made some changed to the chassis and the bike became uncomfortable. From the beginning I struggled with the rear in particular and I ended up crashing. It is such a pity. I did not imagine that my first Grand Prix would end like this but now I would like to thank the whole team and I am looking forward to Phillip Island next weekend.”
