Dani Pedrosa believes Repsol Honda still have work to do to make their package more competitive at Estoril, despite taking second place on the grid.
The Jerez winner and current championship leader looked set for a spot on the second row until leaping up to second - between the two Fiat Yamahas - with his final lap of the qualifying hour.
But after finishing the session 0.233 seconds behind pole-winner Jorge Lorenzo, Pedrosa said Honda needed to improve in the time for the race.
"For the race tomorrow obviously we have to work," he said. "We have to find something more with the bike and tyres."
He is also anxious to see what the race conditions are, with rain having affected Friday practice.
"Also we have to see about the weather," Pedrosa said.
"But anyway, I'm looking forward to this race and we will try to do the maximum.
"We'll see how it is tomorrow, but we're trying to improve all of our package."
Pedrosa's teammate Nicky Hayden qualified the second Repsol Honda in fourth place.
autosport.com
The Jerez winner and current championship leader looked set for a spot on the second row until leaping up to second - between the two Fiat Yamahas - with his final lap of the qualifying hour.
But after finishing the session 0.233 seconds behind pole-winner Jorge Lorenzo, Pedrosa said Honda needed to improve in the time for the race.
"For the race tomorrow obviously we have to work," he said. "We have to find something more with the bike and tyres."
He is also anxious to see what the race conditions are, with rain having affected Friday practice.
"Also we have to see about the weather," Pedrosa said.
"But anyway, I'm looking forward to this race and we will try to do the maximum.
"We'll see how it is tomorrow, but we're trying to improve all of our package."
Pedrosa's teammate Nicky Hayden qualified the second Repsol Honda in fourth place.
autosport.com