MCPHEE Aims To Replicate Past Success In Valencia

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Petronas Sprinta Racing Moto3 rider John McPhee is looking forward to emulating his previous successes on the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, Spain for this weekend’s European Grand Prix race at the circuit. The 26-year-old Scotsman made his world championship debut in the lightweight class (125cc category) in 2010, in which he claimed the front row twice (pole position in 2015 and third place in 2018) at the circuit. He clinched the podium finish (third place) in 2018. “I have been very fast at Valencia (circuit) in the past, so hopefully we can replicate that again and continue our good form from the latest races,” he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the team. “We still have some work to do with regards to the championship, but I’m feeling good and we’ll have to see what happens. I’m also very excited to end this last triple-header (three races in one month), and season, with Portimao (circuit in Portugal) as our final round, as it’s a new circuit,” he said. His teammate Khairul Idham Pawi (KIP), on the other hand, will be aiming to further improve his lap times, while gathering data for the next two races at the same circuit, with the hope of securing a good result by the end of the season. “I think these next two races at Valencia could be quite difficult, for everyone and not just us. We’re expecting it to be cold, with maybe some rain, when we arrive,” he said. “With the first few corners going to the left and then one to the right, it’s going to be very slippery at the beginning of each session. We are going to have to make sure we get our tyres warm before pushing for fast laps,” KIP explained. The European GP will start with the free practice session on Friday, followed by the qualifying session on Saturday, before the race proper on Sunday. McPhee is currently in sixth place in Moto3 World Championship standings with 119 points, while KIP is still pointless after 12 races. -- BERNAMA