Miyata: Experience in Barcelona helped show potential in Qualifying

Ritomo Miyata secured P6 on the grid for Rodin Motorsport in a tight session in Barcelona and his best Qualifying showing since the season-opening round in Sakhir.

The Japanese driver had gone onto the front row provisionally with his final flying lap, though wound up sixth at the chequered flag with drivers improving behind him. Still, Miyata was very upbeat looking back on the session, saying the result was a deserved reward.

“First of all, I want to thank the team, they are always working hard every day and they gave me an amazing car today. Finally, I got in the top 10. Qualifying is the most important to be in contention in both the Sprint and Feature Races. So Qualifying was really good and I’m really happy with that.

READ MORE: QUALIFYING: Aron secures pole in tight Barcelona Qualifying session

“I did the in-season test here and have driven the track in other categories, so I have experience around this track whereas before in earlier rounds, it was the first time driving the track for me, which is difficult with Practice only being 45 minutes.

“But I have F2 experience around Barcelona, so that’s why I can fight for the top positions in Qualifying.”

Miyata’s fastest lap came right at the end of the session as everyone tried to make the most of the track conditions being at their best.

It made the tightrope act of ensuring there was clear air ahead but bringing the Soft Pirelli tyres into the ideal temperature window even tougher.

The Rodin driver says that the team did well to manage the traffic along with the earlier Red Flag after AIX Racing’s Taylor Barnard went off at Turn 9.

“Traffic was difficult because firstly, we want to avoid the traffic on the tyre preparation laps and on the qualifying lap. But, we want good track conditions because here it can be really close in Qualifying. The tyre is only lasting for one push so that first push is really difficult to find a clean lap.

“We also had a Red Flag and into the final 10 minutes, everyone wanted to go back out and do another lap, so it was tricky to control the traffic.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the weekend, Miyata says that he will be targeting points in both races after a tough few rounds.

READ MORE: ‘I’m learning with every lap’ - Ritomo Miyata on rising to the F2 challenge

He secured a pair of P5 finishes in Melbourne but hasn’t been in the points since, something he is eager to put right in Barcelona.

“I feel I’ve improved from last time because of the experience I’ve built up since Bahrain. I understand how to drive the car now, the tyres and how to work with the team.

“Around this track, I have more confidence which is why I was able to do a good result in Qualifying. The team are always supporting me a lot, so that was obviously a big help as well.

“I want to get a good result in both races, but I think the Feature Race on Sunday, the weather could be crazy, so I don’t know what will happen, but I hope we can secure a good result.”