Moto3: Gresini switches to FTR chassis

San Carlo Honda Gresini has announced it will switch to an FTR chassis from this weekend's second round of the inaugural Moto3 World Championship. Niccolò Antonelli finished 17th on his grand prix debut riding the team's Honda NSF250R at Qatar, one place behind the top Honda machine. By contrast, NSF250Rs fitted with an FTR frame finished first and second in the hands of Maverick Vinales and Romano Fenati. “The team and Niccolo were hoping for a better result in Qatar but we didn't manage to get on the pace in the same way that we had done in pre-season testing,” said team principal Fausto Gresini. “At Jerez we start out with renewed enthusiasm having decided to switch Niccolò's bike to an FTR chassis. We believe in Niccolò's ability and we are determined to put him in the best possible position to make the most of his potential.” Antonelli was sixth fastest during the final pre-season test at Jerez, led by Vinales. “[Niccolo] was competitive at Jerez in winter testing, he likes the track and so everything is in place for him to make up for his disappointment in Qatar," added Greisni. "He has also recovered from the injury that he picked up in the race so it should be a positive weekend ahead.” Gresini Racing already works with FTR for its CRT MotoGP project.