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Author: David Bodapati
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Rahul Fernandez continues to take Moto2 Class by storm
Doha, 2 April 2021: Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) continues to take the Moto2 class by storm as the rookie ended Friday at the TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha over half a second clear of his rivals, a sensational 1:58.541 seeing the Spaniard pull clear of second-placed Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2). Fernandez’s teammate and Qatar GP podium finisher Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completed the top three.
It didn’t take long for the times to immediately be quicker than a very warm FP1, and leading the way in the early stages were two rookies: Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Raul Fernandez. It didn’t last long though, as FP1 pacesetter Di Giannantonio stuck in a 1:59.058, with Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) joining the Italian in the top three.
The session was then fairly quiet in terms of improvements, with plenty of riders figuring out race settings rather than searching for a quick lap time. The ever-impressive Raul Fernandez then went two tenths quicker than Sam Lowes’ (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) pole time from last weekend with just under four minutes to go though, a lap that put him over half a second clear of the pack. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) made it two rookies inside the top five too as there were a few movers down the bottom end of the top 14, but no one was troubling Raul Fernandez at the top.
The young Spaniard remained over half a second clear of Di Giannantonio to head into qualifying day as the rider to beat and by some distance, with Qatar GP podium finisher Diggia enjoying a good day at the office to take P2. Gardner beat fourth place Bezzecchi by just 0.020s, and then it’s only 0.005s back to fifth place Roberts as the timesheets got incredibly tight. Two more rookies impressed next up, with sixth-placed Ogura and eighth-placed Vietti sandwiching World Championship leader Lowes as the Qatar GP winner ended the day in seventh.
Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) and Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) – despite an early crash at Turn 6 – were able to comfortably grab places in the all-important top 14 as they complete the top ten, with those provisionally on for a place in Q2 concluded by Stefano Manzi (Flexbox HP 40), Aron Canet (Solunion Aspar Team), Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and rookie Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), who recovered from a small tumble in FP1.
That means some big name riders may miss out on an automatic place in Q2, with conditions likely to be more difficult for a time attack in FP3. Petronas Sprinta Racing pair Xavi Vierge and Jake Dixon are two of those, with Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up), Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and his teammate Bo Bendsneyder also having tricky Friday evenings.
Moto2 – Top-5 on Friday
1 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 1:58.541
2 Fabio Di Giannantonio – Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 – Kalex – +0.517
3 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +0.647
4 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – +0.667
5 Joe Roberts – Italtrans Racing Team – Kalex – +0.672 -
We want to do something different this week-end: Maverick Vinales
Doha, 1 April 2021: Less than a week after the first race weekend of the season, it’s time to go again for the TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha. This time, the pre-event Press Conference welcomed Qatar GP winner and therefore Championship leader Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), alongside Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), reigning MotoGP World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo and Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins as we gear up for another stunner in the desert.
Maverick Viñales: “It’s never perfect, it’s difficult to be perfect on all tracks and we still have to improve, do something different this weekend. Not every weekend is the same, we saw it last year when we had two weekends in a row, everything changed a lot. So we have to be ready for every situation. But we have good potential and we’ll try to fix it if we can’t go at the maximum.
Maverick Vinales during the Press Conference on Thursday. A MotoGP image “I think all the riders can make a step, we’ll also try to make a step; it’s important to improve day by day. For sure all the riders sitting here, and the top ten, will be faster, so we will try to also be faster. And then we’ll see. I think what we could understand from the first race is that the tyre demand here is very high and we need to manage it well so we’ll work on that this weekend.”
And is it now easier to overtake with the Yamaha?
“It’s too soon to say, we just rode on one track, we need to ride on many other tracks to understand if the bike has the right potential and consistency to fight for something bigger, but we found the bike is working well straight away, and this is something. For example for me there are points where I can’t overtake, but a few others where my bike is strong. Some strong, some weak but to understand where you can pass and what your strong points are. But I think it’s too early to talk about that because we only raced on one track and next we go to Portimao where we struggled a bit last year, so we’ll see there what improvements we’ve made in Qatar.”Johann Zarco: “I think it’s as Maverick said, the consumption for the tyre is hard to manage, staying second and with Pecco, trying to follow Maverick, helped me a lot to be competitive to the end. Even Mir at the end overtook me but almost at the end of the last lap so I could overtake him again. Pecco I think he won’t want to lead again to save the tyres… this is the key point I think, the leader may have more problems in the second half but at the same time we need to be fast, so let’s see how to manage Sunday. Our target is to have more possibility like Maverick did to be fast at the end of the race and fight with him, or anyother rider. And be able to fight for victory and not the podium.”
Should Ducati be worried if they don’t win in Qatar?
“If we don’t get victories here in Qatar, we don’t need to be worried because we’re so competitive and if we can be in the top three all race and finish on the podium it’s a good sign also for the future. We don’t need to worry, but the target is to win and we know we have chance to do it, We have to find some solution to have the chance in the race to not struggle too much with the rear tyre.”Francesco Bagnaia: “I think if I’m first at the first corner again I’d try to lead again! But over these days I was asking myself if it’s better to manage the tyres better with slower pace, but if I think I was going slowly, for sure Yamaha or Suzuki would have overtaken me and made their pace. Looking at the result of two years ago we were faster by eight seconds in this race, so the pace was strong and very demanding for the rear tyre for sure, and the wind which was pushing you wide and the only way to turn the bike was with the rear tyre.
Thursday Press Conference in progress. A MotoGP image “For sure it was more demanding, but looking at the data now we know where to work, and also following the Suzuki and Yamaha we’ve understood good things that for sure can help us this weekend and it looks like the forecast will be the same for Sunday with a lot of wind, so I think we’ll arrive more prepared. Never say never for the result because like Maverick said, last year in the second races it was always different. In Misano the pace was half a second faster so you don’t know, but I think we can fight again for the victory.”
And what about Ducati being worried?
“I think the same, we’ve seen Yamaha and Suzuki were very competitive like us, in the first part of the race we were very competitive and opening a gap. We were losing time in some accelerations that cost us the race. But for me we don’t have to worry, we know this track is good for us but it’s good for other bikes too, we have the possibility to win, but we have the possibility to win at other tracks too, like last year. Sometimes I was struggling at a track and Johann was fast or Jack was fast, and sometimes I was fast and the others were struggling so we know the package is competitive and we know the chance to win or finish in the top three is possible. This year the objective will be to be competitive and consistent in every situation and on every circuit.”Joan Mir: “It was a difficult weekend because I struggled a lot to find the correct feeling with the front, I was having a lot of problems and it was making everything really difficult. Hopefully in Warm Up we found something interesting and I got a better feeling again, and I was able to make a good race The start wasn’t the best but then I started to recover positions over half the race, and then in the last laps I tried to manage it the best way I could. I overtook Pecco, and then Zarco was really good closing the gaps… and then this was the key I think for him I overtook him in the last sector but I was a bit too optimistic probably and went a bit wide at the last corner, which didn’t help to arrive second at the line…
“I expect to change the qualifying or the first laps of the race a bit, we were really strong in the last part but we also closed the gap a lot and we used more of the tyre than normally what we would have to. It will be important to start with the front group and then manage the race with them and see in the last laps of the race where we are, which is the main goal for this weekend.”
Is the Suzuki one of the best bikes still straight out the box, despite not racing in Qatar in 2020?
“It’s true but we also need to work to improve our bike. Last year we showed in the second race always good potential, I remember for example in Austria and Aragon, we always in the second races found something more, and that I think is positive to have two races for us, and I’m looking forward to it.”Fabio Quartararo: “Honestly it was a tough race because as soon as I overtook Jack, I had great pace but felt immediately the drop of the rear tyre and I had to slow a little on the pace, but then automatically my rear tyre was spinning a lot. But I think it’s also great because in last year in that situation I would have dropped many positions but I found a new way of trying to make good laptimes, braking so hard but it was tough at the exit of Turn 6, that was one of the worst points but it’s good because we have the data of the winner from last weekend. We saw some points where I was really aggressive almost for nothing, so I will try to be a bit smoother this weekend and I think it will help a lot.”
And the same question as to Maverick – is it now easier to overtake with the Yamaha?
“I think at this track we have strong points, our drive is fast, when I overtook Jack at corner 15 he struggled to overtake me at the first corner and I think there are some points here like Turn 6 and Turn 10, where we don’t have many meters of acceleration and it’s helping us to make a move. Like from 5 to 6 is short, from 9 to 10. These are the type of corners where our bike is really strong, but to make a move from turn 3 to 4 is difficult because it’s more in the acceleration. But I’m feeling great and can make strong moves. Let’s see on the next tracks but I feel good on the front and I think it’s a positive point for our bike.”Alex Rins: “Talking about last weekend, I think we did a good race but in the end sixth was not enough for us. We need to improve small things that I did during the race, and the target is clear I think, as Joan says… we have good pace, the machine to get to the front so let’s improve the start, because also my start last week was a disaster! Let’s improve the start and try to fight for the top positions at least from the beginning, keep the tyres and see what strategy Ducati will make because now Pecco already led one race and he knows I think the way to di it now! So let’s see.”
Is the Suzuki one of the best bikes still straight out the box, despite not racing in Qatar in 2020?
“It’s not a disadvantage, it’s true when we arrived at the track we had a good base and we were able to ride fast from the beginning but we still need to work. It’s easy to arrive at one time, but improving that time is not so easy. As Joan says, the second races for us were going well last year so let’s push at this double race. In my case I studied the race well with my crew chief to see where I’m able to improve, and I’m ready.”Action from MotoGP Tissot Grand Prix of Doha Qualifying Race will be LIVE on EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD from 20:00 Hrs (08:00 pm IST) onwards on Saturday, 3rd April 2021. The same will be live streamed on discovery + app.
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Jonathan Rea tops times on Day 1: WorldSBK support Test
Barcelona, 31 March 2021: It was left late to go top of the times in day one of the Supported Test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on the first day of action for MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship machines but, with around an hour left of the session, six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) stormed to the top of the timesheets to take day one honours.
It had been a quiet start for Rea as he found himself in the middle of the timesheets but slowly worked his way up the order, culminating with the Northern Irishman topping the day. Rea had spent the day confirming items on the chassis as well as front forks from Showa on his brand-new 2021 ZX-10RR, but posted a time of 1’40.793s to go fastest as he completed 68 laps, lapping almost one second faster than the 2020 Tissot Superpole fastest time, albeit on a revised layout.
Rea finished ahead of Leon Haslam (Team HRC) with the Honda rider trying new exhaust systems on his CBR1000 RR-R, as well as running with a torque sensor on his bike, with Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) running them close. Gerloff had gone top of the session with around an hour to go but found himself usurped by Rea and Haslam in the latter stages. The American had focussed on longer runs as well as trying a new fairing and brakes on his YZF R1.
Scott Redding (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) had topped the times throughout most of the day with the British rider trying new items around the seat area of his Ducati Panigale V4 R, but finished the day in fourth place, less than two tenths off the pace. He was joined inside the top ten by teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi with the Italian taking eighth in the classification.
The brand-new BMW M 1000 RR immediately showed its potential as Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Jonas Folger (Bonovo MGM Racing) finished fifth and seventh respectively, with Sykes’ BMW teammate, Michael van der Mark, 13th for his new team. BMW had brought a new swingarm, exhaust and winglets to the test as well as durability improvements to the electronics packages. It was an eventful day for Folger who lost crucial track time after a crash around two hours into the session, but he was able to return to the track with a couple of hours left.
Turkish star Toprak Razgatlioglu (PATA Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) finished in sixth for the day as he focussed on refining the package he has with the Yamaha YZF R1, with small details to work on. Teammate Andrea Locatelli, who was focusing on race simulations with the aim of doing one full race simulation per day to continue his evolution from WorldSSP into WorldSBK; Locatelli completing the most laps of anybody with 93.
Making his debut on track with his new team, Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven) completed 65 laps as he posted the ninth best time, almost matching Rinaldi’s time during the day, with very few new parts on the bike for Davies. The Welshman was using this test to get back up to speed after not riding a bike on track for around five months. Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) was 11th for the day, also trying a new exhaust system on his bike, but after the day admitted he was not at 100% following a small motocross accident last week. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was in 12th place as his recovery from a shoulder injury continues, as he completed 81 laps during the day as looked to confirm items he had tested at Jerez and Aragon in previous tests, including trying the new Brembo callipers.
Rookie Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) finished in 14th place with the Ducati Panigale V4 R trying a new exhaust system, while Japanese rookie Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was 15th as he continues to gear up for his maiden WorldSBK campaign. Tito Rabat’s (Barni Racing Team) session was ended over an hour early with the Spanish rider in 15th place; the team still searching for a base setup for the 2014 Moto2™ World Champion.
Isaac Viñales (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) got his hands on the 2021 Kawasaki ZX-10RR as he tested both the 2020 and 2021 models which features big electronic and engine changes. Christophe Ponsson (Alstare Yamaha) finished in 18th place with his team having undergone a restructure over the past few weeks, while new MIE Racing Honda Team signing Leandro Mercado was 19th on his debut for the team. Samuele Cavaliere (TPR Team Pedercini Racing) rounded out the 20-strong field as the Italian focussed on race simulations and long runs to get up to speed on Kawasaki machinery.
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Extreme Sports legend, Pastrana, for Race Of Champions’ 1st World Final on Snow
31 March 2021: Promoters of the annual Race Of Champions (ROC), announced today the addition of American, Travis Pastrana, to the growing list of top-tier drivers participating in ROC’s latest innovation in motorsports competition. The first ROC World Final on Snow & Ice will provide some of the fastest racing in ROC’s history, with the Arctic cold and ever-changing surfaces promising to provide unique challenges to a line-up of some of the world’s best drivers.
To be held at the beginning of 2022 in Pite Havsbad, Sweden, the event will mark Pastrana’s ninth visit to ROC—an annual showdown that for more than thirty years has drawn many of the most successful racers from every corner of global motorsports to contest the individual championship and the team competition, ROC Nations’ Cup. In the event at Stade de France in Paris in 2005, Pastrana made it to the semi-finals in individual competition as he famously climbed through the qualifiers of that event with a broken leg. The best result in the ROC Nation’s Cup event with Team USA is second. For ROC Sweden the 11-time X Games Champion is aiming to win it all.
“Race Of Champions is such a prestigious and unique event. It’s an honor to be able to compete against so many icons and legends from all disciplines of racing. I don’t know who my teammate on Team USA will be yet. It would be nice to team up for example with Nascar Champion Jimmie Johnson again and try to do even better than we did at Wembley Stadium in England! But whoever my teammate is we will aim to win it all,” said Pastrana, just after winning the 100 Acre Wood Rally, ahead of Ken Block, and taking the lead in the 2021 American Rally Association series.
Travis’ list of career firsts is extensive and includes winning the first-ever X Games in California and landing the world’s first double backflip on a motorbike. He has accumulated 17 X Games medals, including 11 gold medals and is 4-times America Rally Champion. Beyond his prowess as an athlete, Pastrana is the co-creator and superstar of the Nitro Circus action sports franchise, Nitro World Games and the upcoming Nitro Rallycross Series. He’s broken more than 60 bones, survived 25 concussions and, in the process, become the world’s most celebrated extreme sports Champions. “I’m not Crazy, just very competitive”, Travis says.For the inaugural ROC World Final on Snow & Ice, Pastrana will race head-to-head against a growing list of legends, champions and rising stars already announced, including 9-time Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen, and reigning FIA World Rally and Rallycross stars Johan Kristoffersson, Petter Solberg and Oliver Solberg. The event’s promoters expect some of the biggest stars from the Nordic countries to be on hand for the ROC Nations Cup as well as the individual championship.
ROC Nations Cup was introduced in 1999 and quickly became a fixture in every ROC WORLD FINAL since. Held on the first day of competition, this novel team event has created some fierce rivalries and enduring dynasties, including Germany’s dominance from 2007 through 2012 delivered by multiple Formula 1 World Champions and Nations’ Cup team mates, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. “I’m proud that we have created an event that has become so important to drivers,” said ROC co-founder and President, Fredrik Johnsson. “Some great friendships and rivalries have been established here over the years.”“Race Of Champions at Pite Havsbad will be a world-unique event with the only Race Of Champions in the world on snow and ice. It will be very exciting to see one of the world’s best drivers, Travis Pastrana take on the race on the frozen Baltic Sea. It will attract a large audience and be a spectacular event,” says Tobias Lindfors, chairman and owner of Pite Havsbad Group.
The date in early 2022 as well as the ticket sales will be released before the summer. The final driver line-up for ROC Snow & Ice will be announced in the lead up to the event, but Race Of Champions is renowned for attracting superstars from all of the premier leagues in global motorsports including Formula 1, Le Mans, Nascar, IndyCar, World Rally and Rallycross. Over its three decades, the event has been a battleground for European legends like Michael Schumacher, Tom Kristensen, Sebastian Vettel, Sébastien Loeb, Petter Solberg, Mattias Ekström, Colin McRae, David Coulthard, Marcus Grönholm, and Jenson Button; along with other international stars like Nascar champions Jimmie Johnson, Kurt and Kyle Busch, and Jeff Gordon; Ryan Hunter-Reay and Josef Newgarden of IndyCar; Formula E Champion Lucas Di Grassi; and Indy 500 champs Juan-Pablo Montoya and Helio Castroneves.
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MotoGP Round 2 rolls into Doha
Sparks are sure to fly as MotoGP™ returns to Losail International Circuit, with Viñales in the spotlight after his season-opening victory
Doha, 31 March 2021: Expectation was high ahead of the season-opening Qatar GP and, if anything, it’s even higher as MotoGP returns to Losail International Circuit for the TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha. After a barnstormer to welcome back the world’s fastest motorcycle racing Championship, there’s plenty to look forward to on a take two that sees the grid arrive with one man in the crosshairs: Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
As wins go, Viñales’ first of the year was definitely a hard-earned one, as well as his second at Losail. From lights out it was an all-Ducati affair at the front in the initial stages, leaving the eventual winner with plenty of work to do. But that he did, slicing his way through to the front and then pulling the pin. So can those he defeated fight back?
With a race of data and a fair few more sessions before the lights go out, the men closest on the chase – Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and reigning Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) will be eager to try and bridge that gap or leapfrog Viñales, and Mir especially will take heart from an impressive Sunday despite some struggles earlier in the first race weekend of the year. What may worry them in Viñales’ pace, however, is that conditions got worse from Saturday – Yamaha’s traditional day of searing pace – but the number 12 was able to drop everyone, including his fellow Iwata marque machines.
That included new Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammate Fabio Quartararo, and the Frenchman will be having a hard look through the data to see where Viñales had the edge, as will Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) as the man fastest in testing ended the first race in ninth – and new teammate Bagnaia put it on the podium. The wealth of information is only a positive though, and neither should be counted out from a launch up the timesheets this time round – something Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and teammate Franco Morbidelli will be looking for too.
Information is always key, but maybe even more so in the Doha Grand Prix. From veterans outfoxed by teammates to those still adapting or just settling into MotoGP™, there’s a lot to learn. For the Millers and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) of the grid it’s about bridging an unexpected gap, for the newcomers it’s a blessing to have another race at the same track.
Enea Bastianini (Esponsorama Racing) starts the second race weekend of the year as top rookie following an impressive top ten, and he’ll know what went right and what could go better. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) will also be able to look through the numbers from bikes on the podium, and the Spaniard will likely also have taken more than just another glance at his stunning race start, gaining ten places in the blink of an eye. Repeating that but making it stick a little longer is the name of the game. Luca Marini (Sky VR46 Esponsorama) will want more too, the Italian’s progress steadier so far.
Meanwhile Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, with a nearly all-new bike, will be another outfit making good use of more information. Aleix Espargaro impressed once again as he ended the race in seventh but only 5.934s off race winner Viñales, which is the closest gap to the winner of an Aprilia in the MotoGP™ era. Can they equal or even better the best result for the Noale factory in MotoGP™ of sixth?
The man Aleix Espargaro duelled for that seventh place was another great storyline too, as it was none other than his younger brother Pol Espargaro. The newly-arrived Repsol Honda Team rider had a solid first outing in a different shade of orange, and was just 0.056 off seventh place after a drag to the line. As he’s continuing to adapt, a race under his belt is welcome – as it is for continuing, temporary teammate Stefan Bradl. On the other side of the coin, Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) will be looking for solid finishes and points this time around, both crashing out in the Qatar GP after a difficult time at Losail so far.
A difficult time at Losail so far is also true for KTM, even since they debuted in MotoGP™. Some tracks suit some better than others, some tracks are easier to test at and some tracks saw no premier class race action in 2020 just to add another extra challenge. But if we saw one thing from the Austrian factory last year, aside from pretty continual excellence, it was an impressive gain on take two at the same track. That bodes well for the Doha GP, as does the ability of Miguel Oliveira to continue taking to full factory life like a duck to water. Teammate Brad Binder most definitely got his elbows out in the first race of the year too, so it’s not all fallen into place yet but the light at the end of the tunnel likely starts with more track time to gain more information on a circuit that has never been KTM’s best hunting ground.
That track time begins again on Friday as the grids head back out to battle Losail International Circuit, with another 25 points on the line as the lights go out for the second stunner of the season at 20:00 (GMT+3) on Sunday. It’s advantage Viñales… but for how long?1 Maverick Viñales – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – 25
2 Johann Zarco* – Pramac Racing – Ducati – 20
3 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 16
4 Joan Mir – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – 13
5 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – 11
*Independent Team rider -
Akhil Rabindra for 2021 European GT4
Bengaluru, 31 March 2021: Aston Martin Racing (AMR) Driver Academy product Akhil Rabindra of India, announced his participation for the 2021 season of the coveted European GT4 Championship on Wednesday.
The Bengaluru born Akhil, will be back with the AGS Events Racing team this year, a team he represented for the first time last year at the French GT4 Championship.
Rabindra is the only Asian to have made it to the highly respected AMR Driver Academy for consecutive years in 2019-20 & 2020-2021. The 24 year old racer will also the only Indian driver in the European GT4 Championship this season.
Akhil’s campaign with AGS Events Racing Team will commence at the famed Monza circuit in Italy, on the weekend of April 16-18, 2021, with Round 1 of the 2021 European GT4 Championship.
Akhil will be driving an Aston Martin Racing V8 Vantage GT4 for the 2021 season, which comprises 12 races across six countries and as many rounds. 19-Year-Old French driver Hugo Conde will be Akhil’s team mate for the AGS Events Racing Team.
“I am really looking forward to getting back on the racetrack with AGS Events Racing Team and am excited about the upcoming European GT4 Championship. AGS have had a great GT racing record over the years and I am determined to help them better it even more,” said Akhil post announcing his association with AGS Events Racing Team.
After a successful debut, AGS Events has confirmed it’s come back to the GT4 European Series. The reigning Silver, Pro-Am and Team champions will field three Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4s in the series this season.
Around 30 cars will be competing for the 2021 European GT4 Championship with as many as 10 top Constructors fielding their latest GT4 models.
LIVE Streaming Times – IST
17th April 2021: GT4 European (Qualifying Race) – 15:10 Hrs (IST) Onwards
17th April 2021: GT4 European (Race 1) – 20:55 Hrs (IST) Onwards
18th April 2021: GT4 European (Race 2) – 16:40 Hrs (IST) Onwards
About European GT4 Championship:
The GT4 European Series is a sports car championship created and organised by SRO Motorsports Group. It is a pro/am championship which followed a formula similar to the FIA GT3 European Championship, which was itself derived from the FIA GT Championship which utilized the GT1 and GT2 classes.
GT4 class cars are mostly what can be referred to as track day cars, which are factory-built race cars available to the public. However, custom-built cars based on production models can also be built by teams. All cars are test driven by the FIA and then modified so that they all have near identical performance levels. Once a car has been approved by the FIA, it cannot be modified by the teams, eliminating continual development costs for constructors. All cars run on regulated Pirelli tires to further equalize performance.
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M-Sport Ford commit WRC hybrid era
Cockermouth (UK), 31 March 2021: M-Sport Ford have committed to the future of rallying – pledging to register and participate in the FIA World Rally Championship’s new hybrid era from 2022 to 2024.
This new commitment strengthens M-Sport’s relationship with the Blue Oval – a partnership which has delivered considerable success over more than two decades.
Joining forces in 1997, M-Sport Ford have secured seven FIA World Rally Championships, 61 victories, 262 podiums and more than 1500 stage wins – making them one of the sport’s most successful partnerships with an unbroken record of 258 consecutive point scores.
The introduction of hybrid technology into the FIA World Rally Championship signals a landmark development at the highest level of the sport – and M-Sport Ford remain committed to delivering top results with rally-winning technology.
The commitment also ensures M-Sport’s continuation at the pinnacle of the sport – safeguarding jobs and boosting engineering expertise at the team’s Dovenby Hall headquarters.
Aligned with Ford’s global strategy towards creating a more sustainable future, the world’s toughest championship for production-based cars is now fully committed to the introduction of greener technology; and M-Sport Ford are fully committed to the continuation of their successful partnership.M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“It’s always been important for our sport to move with the times, and this commitment to hybrid technology aligns the future of rallying with Ford’s global commitment towards a more sustainable future.
“As the toughest championship for production-based cars, the FIA World Rally Championship provides the perfect platform to test, develop and promote the latest road car technology – making this development integral to the relevance and continuation of our sport.
“It has also been integral to the continuation of our successful partnership with Ford and safeguards the immediate future of M-Sport in the FIA World Rally Championship.
“Over the past two decades we have delivered some fantastic performances and developed some of the championship’s most successful cars and drivers. Working closely with Ford Performance, it is our intention to continue that success in 2022 and progress on our latest challenger continues with testing both here in the UK and in America.
“There is still a long way to go, but we’re committed to delivering another rally winner as the world moves towards a more sustainable future.”
Global Director for Ford Performance, Mark Rushbrook, said:
“The WRC’s transition from pure internal combustion engine powertrains to hybrid technology comes at an opportune time for Ford.
“The company is rapidly moving towards an electrified future, developing hybrid and electric vehicle technology for our newest passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles around the world.
“Running a hybrid Rally 1 car next season will enable us to test and demonstrate this technology in the thrilling spectacle that is WRC, and we can’t wait to show you what it can do!” -
Superb last few laps gets Hamilton his 96th victory
Lewis Hamilton took a sensational win at the 2021 season opening Bahrain Grand Prix by just 0.7s from the rapid Red Bull of Max Verstappen, breaking Michael Schumacher’s record of most laps led in the process. Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas completed the podium as he set the fastest lap of the race on lap 56.
London, 29 March 2021: Defending superbly and nurturing the tyres in the last few laps, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton took his 96th career victory ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who fought for the lead till the last lap. Valtteri Bottas finishing P3 with an extra point for the fastest lap for the race. McLaren’s Lando Norris finished P4 in their new Mercedes powered challenger, ahead of his latest teammate Daniel Ricciardo who crossed the line in P7. Sergio Perez finished P5 in his new Red Bull machinery, after starting from the pitlane due to power unit issues on the formation lap. Charles Leclerc finished in P6 in the much-improved Ferrari SF21, two places ahead of new teammate Carlos Sainz. AlphaTauri rookie Yuki Tsunoda achieved his first points as he finished P9 on debut, ahead of Lance Stroll in the re-branded Aston Martin team.
Alfa Romeo pair of Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi finished P11 and P12 respectively. It was an unsuccessful race for Alpine after Esteban Ocon only managed P13- partly due to being hit by Sebastian Vettel from behind- and veteran returnee Fernando Alonso retiring due to break failure. Williams’ George Russell finished P14, ahead of Sebastian Vettel in P15 as his teammate Nicholas Latifi DNF’d from the race. Other DNF’s included Pierre Gasly and Nikita Mazepin. Mick Schumacher was the last to finish in P16.
Drama ensued before the race started as Perez’s car shut down on formation lap at turn 13 and came to a standstill. Due to this, an extra formation lap took place while Perez’s car could be recovered. As luck would have it, Perez was able to start his car, but had to start from the pitlane as per regulations.
Verstappen covered Hamilton at the start and both maintained positions. Leclerc was aggressive and got ahead of Bottas in P3. Meanwhile, Norris got ahead of his new teammate Ricciardo. The new Aston Martin Vantage safety car was called into action as Mazepin spun and went into the wall at Turn 3, ending his first F1 race.
Red Bull better equipped for Qualifying sessions. A Pirelli image from 2021 Bahrain GP The race got underway on lap 4, with Verstappen leaving the restart as late as possible, to decrease the chances of Hamilton slip streaming and overtaking him. As Hamilton started chasing Verstappen, Bottas passed Leclerc for P3, Norris followed suit and passed Leclerc for P4. Gasly’s front wing unfortunately touched Ricciardo’s rear left tyre and dislodged it, sending the Frenchman to the back of the grid.
Alpine and Alonso pulled the trigger to initiate the first round of pitstops on lap 11, with Alonso electing the medium tyres. Lap 12 saw Norris, Leclerc, Stroll and Giovinazzi pit. Everyone going on the mediums except for the Alfa Romeo who chose hard tyres. At the front, Mercedes pulled the trigger and pitted Hamilton for a set of hard tyres in a bid to undercut Verstappen. It seemed to work as the Dutchman pitted four laps later albeit for medium tyres. Once he came out, Hamilton had a six second advantage on him.
Hamilton’s advantage eroded quickly as Verstappen was within 1.5-2s, this time Hamilton in a danger of being undercut. Bottas was close behind to the top two cars. Behind, Norris maintained P4, ahead of Leclerc, Ricciardo, Stroll and Sainz- who battled with former Ferrari drivers Alonso and Vettel to get up to P8.
Mercedes once more protected against the undercut, pitting Hamilton on lap 28 for another set of hard tyres, Bottas followed suit 2 laps later. Although a slow stop by Mercedes meant Bottas came out in P5, though, Norris and Leclerc were yet to pit, giving him a net P3. With Hamilton in P2 and steadily reducing the gap to Verstappen, Red Bull boxed him on lap 39 for hard tyres. This meant he would have 10 laps fresher tyres compared to Hamilton. He came out 8.6s behind the Mercedes.
Alonso’s F1 return ended abruptly on lap 33 due to brake issues. Meanwhile, Perez behind was making steady gains as he was now behind Ricciardo and Leclerc. Vettel too had a dismal debut for Aston Martin as he ploughed into the back of Ocon, spinning them both and earning the German a 10-second time penalty.
At the front, Verstappen was right on the gearbox of Hamilton as the difference was around about 1s. On lap 53, Verstappen with help of DRS got a run on Hamilton exiting turn 3 and seemed to get past him on the exit of turn 4. Only he had gone too wide and extended the track limits while overtaking the Mercedes car and thus, was instructed to give the place back to Hamilton. After that point Verstappen couldn’t get close enough to mount another challenge ultimately finishing second.
Straight-line speed is not Ferrari’s weakness anymore. Action shot from Bahrain GP by Pirelli. The first blow was dealt by Mercedes, but Red Bull know they can consistently challenge the Silver Arrows in the upcoming races. It is game on for 2021!
Mercedes clearly lacked qualifying pace as they for three-tenths off the pole position. In race trim they were matched with Red Bull as aggressive strategy and brilliant tyre management by Hamilton earned them the victory and double podium. The W12 is not in the sweet spot and clearly has lots of room for improvement. Mercedes will be hopeful to iron out these issues as soon as possible to challenge Red Bull, especially in qualifying. Red Bull’s RB16B looks like the class of the field at the moment. The car looks stable and with immense work put in by Honda over the winter they are the favorites this season. Once again reliability hampered them as Perez had to start from the pitlane. It will be interesting to watch the development race between Mercedes and Red Bull this season.
McLaren have made a step forward, owing to the new Mercedes power unit as they still look like the best midfield car, though, it is early to say that. Ferrari too, have made a step forward, especially in the power unit department as both cars were able to achieve points finishes, similar to their papaya orange rivals. The AlphaTauri car has looked stable and fast, but their true pace cannot be gauged due to Gasly’s incident which resulted in damage and Tsunoda’s starting position compromised due to qualifying.
The same can be said about both the Aston Martin and Alpine cars. Both teams did not have the best qualifying result, with only one of their cars reaching Q3. Race Pace remains a question mark too, as both teams exhibited good pace in the middle stints of the race but were unable to be consistent or reliability hampering their progress. Aston Martin admitted that the low rake (rake is the difference between the front and rear ride height of the car) cars getting disadvantaged the most from the new regulations.
A Pirelli graphic of Pit Stops – Round 1 Bahrain GP Alfa Romeo have made a clear step forward as they just missed out on points. Thanks to the brand-new Ferrari power unit, straight line speed is not their weakness anymore. Williams look like they have made a step forward with the car, as raw pace suggests they are faster than Haas. It remains to be seen if they can challenge for the points in future. Haas have admitted that their car is underdeveloped, and that the final version will make an appearance at Imola in round 2.After that no upgrades will be introduced for the whole of 2021 as they have shifted their focus and resources on 2022.
Saturday Qualifying results were:
P1: Max Verstappen- 33 (Red Bull) P2: Lewis Hamilton- 44 (Mercedes) P3: Valtteri Bottas- 77 (Mercedes) P4: Charles Leclerc- 16 (Ferrari) P5: Pierre Gasly- 10 (AlphaTauri) P6: Daniel Ricciardo- 3 (McLaren) P7: Lando Norris- 4 (McLaren) P8: Carlos Sainz- 55 (Ferrari) P9: Fernando Alonso- 14 (Alpine) P10: Lance Stroll- 18 (Aston Martin) P11: Sergio Perez- 11 (Red Bull) P12: Antonio Giovinazzi- 99 (Alfa Romeo) P13: Yuki Tsunoda- 22 (AlphaTauri) P14: Kimi Raikkonen- 7 (Alfa Romeo) P15: George Russell- 63 (Williams) P16: Esteban Ocon- 31 (Alpine) P17: Nicholas Latifi- 6 (Williams) P18: Sebastian Vettel- 5 (Aston Martin) P19: Mick Schumacher- 47 (Haas) P20: Nikita Mazepin- 9 (Haas) -
Lowes pulls the pin for faultless first win of 2021
The Brit pitches it to perfection to start the year on top, with Gardner on the chase and Diggia digging deep for third
Doha, 28 March 2021: Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) became the first British rider to win an opening round Grand Prix since the great Barry Sheene in 1979 after producing a faultless ride at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar. The polesitter kept a hard-charging Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) at bay as the Australian takes P2 from Round 1, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) coming out on top in a last lap duel with Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) to hand Gresini Racing an emotional podium.
A lightning start from Row 2 saw Bezzecchi grab the holeshot, with both Lowes and Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) slow from P1 and P2 as third place Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) slotted into P2. Lowes soon got past a wide Fernandez at Turn 1 to recover to P3, and the Brit then made light work of Bendsneyder at Turn 6. Fellow Brit Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was also on the move, up into P5 from P10 on the grid.
Lap 2 saw Raul Fernandez also pass Bendsneyder for third place as the leading eight riders locked horns. Lowes then showed a wheel to Bezzecchi at Turn 6, and by Turn 1 on Lap 3, the British rider was through and leading. Seventh place Gardner set the fastest lap of the race though, with the Australian fighting hard to move through and give chase. Raul Fernandez was also swarming all over the back of Bezzecchi, and making a Turn 1 move stick on Lap 4.
Fernandez’s teammate Gardner, though, was the man on the move. The Australian slipped by Dixon for P4 but a small error then saw Gardner lose the time he’d made up, he was back down to P5. Sixth place Di Giannantonio was then wide at the final corner, and the Italian slipped to P8 as Lowes set the fastest lap of the race.
Fernandez was soon back to within a couple of tenths of the race leader though, Lowes making a mistake somewhere to allow the rookie to close him in. Meanwhile, a regrouped Gardner was now back ahead of Dixon and set the fastest lap of the race again, with Bezzecchi soon enjoying the number 87 for close company. With 13 to go, Gardner struck at Turn 4 and made a move stick on Bezzecchi.
With 12 to go, Fernandez was losing touch on Lowes and Gardner sensed it. The latter was through on his teammate and now had 1.2 seconds to bridge if he wanted to win his second Moto2™ race in succession, but Lowes had something in hand and set the fastest lap of the Grand Prix – a 1:59.529 – to keep his margin comfortable if not yet dominant.
A few laps passed by with stalemate, and the gap remained at just under one and a half seconds between the leading duo. Raul Fernandez continued to keep his teammate honest too, with Bezzecchi sitting 1.2 seconds behind the young Spaniard as Di Giannantonio, Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) and Dixon squabbled right behind the podium fight.
Gardner, on Lap 13, set the fastest lap of the race, but Lowes set his personal best too and on the next lap, the race leader was three tenths quicker. Pin pulled, the gap was up to 1.6 seconds and it would only increase in increments from there.
With three laps to go, it was two seconds and the top two seemed settled, but the battle for the podium was in full swing. Bezzecchi tucked in behind Raul Fernandez down the home straight and took third place away from the star rookie, with Di Giannantonio then on the scene and making it a six-wheel scrap for the podium. The Italian followed compatriot Bezzecchi through and locked his radar onto third…
Up the road, Lowes had a comfortable 2.2 second lead over Gardner and cruised to his first win of the year in style, with the Australian forced to settle for the 20 points but happy enough to do so this time. The final place on the podium was between the two Italians and Di Giannantonio sliced up the inside of Bezzecchi at Turn 11, a classy move pulled off, and Diggia held it on the drag to the line by 0.013s to hand himself and Gresini an emotional rostrum. The first for Gresini Racing in Moto2™ since Lowes in 2016 at the Aragon GP, and a fitting way to remember the late, great Fausto Gresini.
Bezzecchi lost out on a rostrum by the slimmest of margins but a P4 is a solid start to the year. Fernandez couldn’t hold onto a podium place in his first Moto2™ race but it was nevertheless a phenomenal ride from the Spaniard, who took fifth and beat Roberts by 0.6 seconds as the American put in a solid ride to pull out a couple of seconds on Dixon by the flag in sixth. The Brit forced to settle for seventh, ahead of Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) as the German eventually got the better of Bendsneyder. The German, Dutchman was followed home by Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) as the two completed the top ten.
11th place went to Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) as the American produced a fantastic debut Moto2™ race in a heated battle for the remaining point-scoring positions. Fellow rookie Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) also impressed as he lost out by just 0.142s to Beaubier and took P12, with both getting the better of the more experienced Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Team), Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) – the latter trio completing the points.
Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP40), Lorenzo Baldassarri (MV Agusta Forward Racing) and Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashed out, riders ok.
Lowes did the business after a Warm Up mishap and the British rider starts the year with a near-perfect performance. Gardner and the chasing pack will be hoping to make up ground when the riders attack Losail International Circuit again next weekend, so who will come out on top in Doha in seven days time?Moto2™ podium: 1 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – 40:03.123
2 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +2.260
3 Fabio Di Giannantonio – Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 – Kalex – +5.228 -
Maverick Vinales claims stunning victory in season opener
Doha, 28 March, 2021: Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales unravelled a stunning race to claim victory at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar, as 2021 MotoGP World Championship season kicked off in sublime style in the desert. Viñales climbed his way through the pack to eventually beat second place Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) by just over a second, as the Frenchman and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) beat reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) on the run to the line to stand on the rostrum.
The start of the race was something to behold. Bagnaia, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), Zarco and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) from 14th on the grid all propelled themselves to the front as Ducati’s holeshot device worked absolute wonders. Martin’s launch was insane and the rookie joined his fellow GP21 riders inside the top four, as Fabio Quartararo and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammate Viñales got swamped off the line.
An utterly sensational getaway from the Ducatis saw Bagnaia lead Miller, Zarco and Martin, as Zarco then slipstreamed Miller down the home straight and grabbed P2 off the Australian. After sluggish starts, the two factory Yamahas were regrouping and soon found their way past high-flying rookie Martin on Lap 3. Just behind, Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was scrapping away with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and World Champion Mir, the GSX-RR duo did get past The Doctor and began hounding Martin.
Up top, the leading five were line astern. Quartararo and Viñales were attached to the back of Miller, good news for two Yamahas, but a disaster for 2020’s runner up. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was down in P20 after five laps, an awful start for the Italian. At the opposite end of the race, Pecco was dictating a slow pace as tyre saving modes immediately came into play, but Quartararo wasn’t messing around. El Diablo dived up the inside of Miller at Turn 15, the Ducati blasted by on the straight but sensational work on the brakes allowed the Yamaha man to take and hold P3.
A couple of laps later, Viñales decided to pounce on Miller too. Turn 10 was the Spaniard’s chosen passing point as Miller found himself down in P5 – was he struggling, or playing the long game? In free air, Rins was reeling in the leaders and was soon right up behind Miller’s exhausts. Viñales, meanwhile, was starting to look impatient behind Quartararo and this lead group, covered by 1.4 seconds, was over two seconds up the road from seventh place Mir.
12 laps to go. Viñales was up into P3 and immediately bridged the few tenths gap to Zarco. And with 11 laps to go, Viñales dived up the inside of Zarco for P2 and showed a wheel to race leader Bagnaia – the Yamaha man was swarming. Just behind, Rins got the better of Quartararo and as the race entered the halfway stage, Mir and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) were now tagged onto the back of Quartararo. This was a fascinating battle.
Viñales and Yamaha’s strengths in the middle of the corners were clear to see. As can be said with Rins and Suzuki compared to the Ducatis. Turn 10 once more was the chosen passing place for Viñales and for the first time, the race leader wasn’t Pecco. Viñales, on Lap 15, took P1 as the top eight riders were now covered by just 2.3 seconds, with Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) in P9 just 3.5 seconds from the lead.
Viñales flashed across the line and held a half second lead with six to go. Zarco drafted Bagnaia and took P2 into Turn 1, with Mir passing Miller to grab 5th – the two Suzukis, once again, showing awesome Sunday pace. Now though, with five laps to go, Viñales and Zarco were starting to break clear. Viñales had a 0.7 second advantage over the Frenchman, with Zarco, in turn, holding a one second lead over Bagnaia. Behind the latter, Mir was now ahead of teammate Rins for P4. But Viñales was checking out. Top Gun had the afterburners on, 1.6 seconds clear was the number 12 now.
The battle for the podium was in full flow. Mir, at Turn 6, sweetly stuck his Suzuki up the inside of Bagnaia’s Ducati. And now, second place Zarco was under threat. With two to go, this was Viñales’ race to lose as attention focused on the battle for P2, P3 and P4. Pecco was staying in touch, with Zarco defending well to keep a hard-charging Champion behind him.
The last lap saw Mir desperately trying to find a way past Zarco, but a move wouldn’t come until Turn 15 – the penultimate corner. One corner and a run to the line was all that stood in the way between Mir and a phenomenal podium, but two Ducatis were about to prove just how quick they were in a straight line. As Viñales took the chequered flag in P1, Mir – slightly wide a Turn 16 – was left helpless as both Zarco and Bagnaia flew past the GSX-RR to claim P2 and P3 in spectacular fashion. A quite remarkable end to a thrilling encounter.
Quartararo crossed the line three seconds behind his teammate in P5 as the Frenchman gets the better of Rins by just three tenths. Two and a half seconds further down the road, Aleix Espargaro proved the Aprilia now belongs at the pointy end of the timesheets with a fantastic P7 ride. Aleix beat younger brother Pol by just 0.056s as the latter enjoys a fantastic debut with Repsol Honda Team.
Miller’s race never really got going after the opening couple of laps. The number 43 slid backwards in the latter stages and crossed the line in a disappointing P9, not what he nor Ducati would have been hoping for. Top rookie honours went the way of reigning Moto2™ World Champion Enea Bastianini (Esponsorama Racing). Huge credit goes the way of the Italian, a top 10 on your MotoGP™ debut is nothing short of spectacular – just nine seconds split Bastianini from the race win. That is what you call impressive.
Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda Team) did another top job standing in for Marc Marquez, the German finished P11 and led 12th place Rossi across the line. Not the race The Doctor will have been looking for from P4 on the grid as he and teammate Morbidelli enjoy a very difficult evening – the latter finished outside the points in P18. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the leading KTM rider in P13, teammate Brad Binder and Martin picked up the remaining points on offer in P14 and P15.
An utterly magnificent way to kick things off in 2021. Viñales was an unstoppable force in the desert for a second time, the best race win of his life? You’d have to say so. Zarco and Bagnaia ensure Ducati have something to shout about on a favoured stomping ground, with Mir proving exactly why he and Suzuki are reigning Champions – a classy Sunday ride. Stories everywhere you look, as usual, in MotoGP™. Round 1 is now in the history books, and Round 2 right here at Losail is just around the corner.
Top 10:
1. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
2. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) + 1.092
3. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 1.129
4. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 1.222
5. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) + 3.030
6. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 3.357
7. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) + 5.934
8. Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) + 5.990
9. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 7.058
10. Enea Bastianini (Esponsorama Racing) + 9.288
Telecast: MotoGP races will be telecast on EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD for Round 2 the TISSOT Grand Prix of Doha. The qualifying race is on Saturday, April 3 and the main race is on Sunday, April 4. The same will be live streamed on discovery + app.
