The two-time Superbike champion spent much of the day adapting to the new-style MotoGP machines, which as a result saw the Spaniard finish way down 🎃the order.

Bautista finished 22nd in both sessions, with only 🍬Iker Lecuona behind the Aruba.it Ducati rider.

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But Bautista was quick to point out why he f𝐆ailed to better his position: “I started with a base set-up from Ducati but because I wasn’t pushing too much it was too hard. We needed to w𒅌ork for the afternoon and we definitely improved the set-up. 

“I improved my♓ lap time by almost two secꩵonds. That means we did a step forward. I don’t feel so comfortable with the bike yet so we need to make another step for tomorrow. 

“The feeling will be a bit better and I can say that to🌞day, I enjoyed riding the bik𝔉e.”

Havin🉐g raced in Superpole races since joining the WorldSBK championship, Saturday’s sprint race ﷽should be no different for Bautista.

But🧔 before racing begins, Bautista wants to use FP3 as a chance to make further improvem🎐ents ahead of qualifying.

Bautista told MotoGP.com: “For us it’s important to improve the feeling in FP3 and then try to make a good lap t𝄹ime in qualifyng.&nb🌠sp;

“Then the sprint 𝓰will be good because practice is practice; I like racing 🐲more. Let’s see. Let’s try the new MotoGP format.”

Bautista compares MotoGP and Superbike machines

The combination of Bautista and the Panigale V4 R is arguably the hardest challeng🍃e to overcome in two🧔-wheel racing at the moment.

But after jumping aboard a prototype bike for th🌠e first time since 2018, it’s clear to Bautista what the differences are between a Superbike and the much stiffer MotoGP machine. 

“All the bike is very different and ♏the way you have to ride t🐎he bike is quite different, especially with the tyres,” said Bautista. 

“With the Superbike I can force more the bike and turn more with the r♚ear.&n🅷bsp;

“Here, if you turn with the rear you lose traction and never r𒊎ecover. This afternoon I rode with a more MotoGP style.”