Repsol Honda factory MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo admitted he is sad, disappointed and worried after only managing a twelfth place finish at his home Grand Prix in Jerez.

The Spaniard had circled Jerez on the calendar, and as one of his favourite circuits, Lorenzo had hoped that the start of the European calendar would see him return to the sharp end of the field.

After a positive start in FP1 where he was second fastest, it was downhill for the rest of the weekend, eventually ending with a twelfth place finish. 

The former World Champion said that he cannot be happy with how his race went, but he won’t give up.

“I can’t be happy about my race, obviously. The logical thing is to be sad, to be disappointed and to be worried,” said the 32-year-old.

“Just look at my face, I don’t like giving everything and being slow. I am going through a difficult time, but the only possible mentality is to remain positive.”

When asked what the issue was this weekend, Lorenzo pointed to lack of trust with the front end of the RC213V, a lack of feeling which is missing due to the amount of days missed over the winter testing programme.

“I have no confidence, especially in the corner entry,” he said.

“The bike transfers too much weight to the front and it tires my arms. Something needs to be changed in the chassis or in the engine braking, because I don’t feel safe.

“I lose a lot against the other Honda riders here. I’m not just talking about Marquez, but also Crutchlow and Nakagami. Until I find a solution to this, I cannot be fast.

“I lost so many test days this winter and I need more kilometres on the Honda. Let me be clear, I do not give up and I will reach the level I want.”