Jorge Lorenzo is reaping the benefits of using the rear brake on the Ducati as the Spanish rider set the fourth fastest time at Jerez on Friday.

Lorenzo didn't avail of the rear brake in the past on the Yamaha but feels it is necessary on the Desmosedici GP17, partly to help ease the physicality required in hard braking areas and improve stability.

"I started using the rear brake already in Qatar but because it was new and I wasn't used to it, I didn't use it enough times in most of the races. Now I'm using it more and this helps a little bit more to stop the bike and to enter the corner more fluent and a little less physical too," Lorenzo said.

"The other bikes, I didn't need to use a rear brake to stop the bike. With this one, I introduced it because it helps much more to stop the bike and it doesn't force so much the arms. It compensate a little bit more in the transfer and you don't have to use so much the arms."

Lorenzo's time of 1m 40.291s left him 0.871s behind pacesetter Dani Pedrosa, who led the way in the wet and dry conditions in FP1 and FP2 respectively on the Repsol Honda.

Overall, the three-time MotoGP world champion is happy with the progress he is making, although Lorenzo says any gains are being achieved step by step and the old issue of turning with the Ducati remains a problem.

"Today when I put new tyres, I already felt better than with old tyres and when I put in new tyres, I could push quite a bit and make a good lap time. Still we have some margin but apart from the result I feel good and we are happy with the direction.

"We have a lot of work to do to make the bike turn more especially. Little by little we are getting there, especially compared to the rest of the Ducati riders we are better than before and that's a good sign," Lorenzo said.

"Mainly our strong point is the engine and everyone knows that. It is where we can capitalise a little bit and recover some of the distance they take on the corners. We can take profit of this in some tracks with longer straights like Argentina, Qatar, Mugello and Austin also."

Lorenzo claims he is enjoying riding the factory GP17 as he continues to make the transition to the bike from the YZR-M1.

"I enjoy more when I am first or second or making the best lap times. I get less tired using more the rear brake, flowing more in the entry of the corners and our position now is better than it was in the first two races. We are in a good way and we need to keep working.

"The grip is quite good so if you flow on the bike and you are smooth this also helps for a smaller rider. I am more confident to push more and that's what I felt today in the last run.

"For the moment the thing we can modify a little bit is still the riding position but we need to study if it is worth it or not. Tomorrow we don't have any more new pieces, so that is the best we can do."