Rossi still not comfortable with 2016 Yamaha

Rossi finished the day as the sixth quickest rider, nearly a second behind pace-setter Danilo Petrucci, who took advantage of the softer Michelin rubber to finish on top of the times.

Although the Italian said he would like to test the 2016 YZR-M1 on another track to compare its performance, he admits he is not feeling 100 percent confident with it yet, especially under braking.

"At this moment I prefer the bike that is similar to the 2015 one, because with the 2016 one we have something good but under braking we are a bit in trouble, so this is easily what's happening," Rossi told reporters at the end of the day.

"But tomorrow I'll try again. We are in no hurry. For me it's also interesting to try in Philip Island because it's a different track.

"But for now both riders are more for the bike that's more similar to the 2015."

Rossi also conceded teammate Jorge Lorenzo appears the man to beat once more, after emerging as the quickest rider using the harder tyre.

"Jorge is very, very fast," Rossi said. "I think also today he's faster with the harder tyre because I think Petrucci, Marquez and also Barbera used the soft.

"It means that Crutchlow is second fastest with the harder tyre and he's seven tenths slower than Jorge.

"He's riding very well. He has a good feeling with the front tyre."