Honda LCR rider Casey Stoner finished a water-logged day of free practice for the Chinese Grand Prix with the eighth fastest time today, 1.7s faster than the track record held by Alex Barros. Stoner was frustrated, but still feeling confident, despite a tyre mix-up which cost him valuable track time late in the afternoon session. Earlier, Stoner had been an impressive second-fastest, just 0.002s behind world champion Valentino Rossi, in morning practice. He was on the pace from just his second lap, instantly posting the second fastest time.

Stoner showed maturity and speed as he mastered the rain-soaked track. Until his tyre problem late in second practice, Stoner was consistently in the top group and challenging for the fastest time. Stoner’s pace continues his speed from last week’s Turkey GP where he finished second and then set the fastest time in the post-race Michelin tyre test. Further rain is forecast for tomorrow’s qualifying session.

“Michelin supplied a development tyre, a different size, but Casey did not have the right feeling so we made a mature decision to stop because there was no time to prepare the tyre that Casey preferred. The situation was not so safe -- but it doesn’t matter, it is only practice and I know Casey’s potential is much higher. We had agreed to test the tyres for Michelin, we were just unlucky with the result.”

“I’m a little disappointed but still confident. The team was making good progress with the set-up and then Michelin asked me to test a new style of wet-weather tyre but I didn’t have much side-grip in the standing water-- I had four big slides in one lap! It wasn’t the right tyre for the conditions and unfortunately when I came in the standard tyres were not ready because we had only the development tyres ready. I lost the final 15 minutes of the session when everyone else went faster. The morning session is a better indication of my pace.”