Riding an updated Honda chassis for the first time today, Australian rookie Casey Stoner finished eighth fastest in free practice at the Sachsenring. The new chassis specification was supplied to the Honda LCR team by HRC and Stoner’s initial response is very positive. The mid-season upgrade for Stoner comes after series of impressive performances in his rookie season aboard a Honda RC211V.

Stoner has finished top six in every race he has finished this season, including second place in Turkey and pole position at Qatar. Today the LCR squad concentrated on finding the best set-up direction for the chassis, always a difficult task at race weekend with limited track time. After small crash in the morning session Stoner set his fastest time (1’23.889) this afternoon, using the new chassis; just 0.1s outside the current track record. Conditions were cool and overcast for both of today’s free practice sessions.

“We have been supplied one updated chassis by HRC and Casey’s initial reaction is positive but the team still needs time to find the optimum set-up -- the spare bike is the standard RCV. Unfortunately Casey had small crash this morning because it was the first day without the perfect set-up”.

“The new chassis feels more nimble, I can change direction quicker, and get off the corners better. Unfortunately we don’t have a base set-up so it is taking a lot of time to find the right direction. And the morning session was a setback because I crashed the new bike and we lost some track time. In afternoon we had some problems with the traction control and rear grip and I just need more time to adapt and find the right set-up, but I’m not too far off the pace and just easing into it. With some more traction I should be able improve my times”.