INDIA in F1

Author: INDIAinF1 Desk

  • Martin hits back, Marquez charges, Bagnaia fails to score as drama hits: MotoGP Sprint

    Martin hits back, Marquez charges, Bagnaia fails to score as drama hits: MotoGP Sprint

    The Championship twists again after bad luck for Bagnaia and a stunner for his fellow frontrunners in France

    Le Mans (France), 11 May 2024: Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) bounced back from Jerez in style at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France, getting an incredible launch from pole to take off and escape to his 12th Tissot Sprint win. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) pulled off an awesome comeback to thread through to second from P13 on the grid, with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) completing the Sprint podium. Where was reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)? Read on…

    It was a stunning start from Martin to take the holeshot, and the exact opposite for Bagnaia as he plummeted from second to mid-pack, seemingly with some sort of issue. Meanwhile some friendly-fire – within the limit – between the Aprilias added another shuffle, and with that it was Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) slotting into second on the chase behind Martin.

    Meanwhile, as Bagnaia went backwards, Marc Marquez was storming forwards. The number 93 threaded the needle to perfection off the start and was into fifth within a few corners. Within a few laps, he was the rider on the chase behind the Martin-Bezzecchi duel at the front.

    Aleix Espargaro was then the next to drop out of that front battle as his start proved too good to be true, given a double Long Lap for the jump start. The drama then amped up again for Bagnaia just behind that, as he ran wide from the back of the field. Something was definitely wrong for the #1 as he then headed into pitlane. The reigning Champion was out of the Sprint.

    That left Martin leading Bezzecchi leading Marquez, with Viñales next up. A gaggle of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had the gloves off too, and Espargaro then rejoined in their midst.

    Suddenly, there was more drama at the front. Yellow flashed across the run off at Turn 9 as Bezzecchi slid out from that second place, leaving Marquez on the chase behind Martin. The gap between the two was now at over two seconds, however, and the clock was counting down. The Sprint King was on his way to another Saturday stunner, and he got the job done in style to capitalise on a tough Sprint for Bagnaia.

    Behind Martin’s impressive charge at the front, Marquez took second after an awesome comeback ride from P13 on the grid, with Viñales holding onto third in the last laps as Bastianini put in a late charge for glory. The ‘Beast’ had to settle for fourth. 

    Espargaro recovered from his double Long Lap to finish fifth, with Acosta taking a solid sixth and putting in a final corner save. Di Giannantonio held off Miller for seventh, with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) taking the final point on Saturday… just marginally ahead of home hero Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™).

    Another 27 laps await the grid on Sunday, with Bagnaia now the rider looking to hit back, Martin needing another showstopper to keep that ground gained, and Marquez looking down the barrel of the start from P13 once again. Can he pull it off twice? Will there be fireworks? Find out at 14:00 (UTC +2)!

  • Martin outpaces Pecco with new lap record as Marquez faces Q1: MotoGP

    Martin outpaces Pecco with new lap record as Marquez faces Q1: MotoGP

    The stage is set for another super Saturday with key names split across Q1 and Q2 – and a home hero through

    Le Mans (France), 10 May 2024: It was an intense shootout for direct entry into Q2 at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France, with the spots in the top 10 going down to the wire. At the end of Friday it was tight at the top too, with just 0.187s separating the top three. Thanks to a new lap record, however, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) reigns supreme ahead of 2023 duelling partner Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), with rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) making a statement in third and on team home turf.

    For Martin it was a building session, with the #89 consistently running inside the top 10 before a fast lap with 10 minutes to go before improving to set a remarkable 1:30.388 on the Pramac rider’s final run. Bagnaia tried to fight back late, after briefly occupying the top spot with 20 minutes to go. However, Martin’s final sector was too good to match, leaving the reigning World Champion in second with Acosta finding time in the last 10 minutes of the the day to jump to third on the #31’s first time at Le Mans on a MotoGP™ bike.

    In fourth after another cracking day was Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales, who was a mere 0.269s from the top spot at the end of the opening day of action at the French GP. The Americas GP winner was ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing) in sixth who had a positive Friday after putting a fresh soft rear tyre in his final run.

    Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was sixth after a strong finish to the day – setting a 1:30.699. However, it was not smooth sailing for Miller after saving a crash after running through the gravel at turn two. However at the other side of the box, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a tough day crashing for the third time on Friday, ending the day outside of the Q2 spots.

    Aleix Espargaro ended a strong day for the Aprilia Racing squad, finishing the day in seventh, after briefly claiming the top spot. Behind Espargaro in eighth position after a great day was Prima Pramac Racing’s Franco Morbidelli who earned direct entry into Q2 onnce again after finding late time late in the session.

    2023 winner Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing) was ninth clinching a Q2 spot and just 0.397 away from the top spot in the highly competitive field. And to the delight of the French crowd, home hero Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) took the final spot inside the top 10 and by 0.010s, leaving some huge names to battle in Q1.

    Most notably Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is now forced to go through Q1 on Saturday after ending the day in 13th. The #93 had a crash in the opening stage of the session, remounting, and then began to push in the last 10 minutes but he was unable to piece together a lap good enough for the top 10. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) will join him in Q1 tomorrow, after spending most of Practice outside the top 10 and crossing the line to end the day in 19th.

    Binder and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) will also prepare for a Q1 appearance on Saturday, hoping to join their teammates in Q2. Further down the order, the French crowd will also be cheering on Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), who was 20th with work to do to improve.

    Garcia grabs top honours from Lopez on Friday

    It was an exciting Friday afternoon in Moto2™ with many key contenders beginning to show their cards at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France. It continues to be one of the most unpredictable Moto2™ seasons yet, but Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) hit back to end Friday on top, claiming a new lap record at Le Mans with a 1:35.473 in the last five minutes of the session. Alonso Lopez (Folladore SpeedUp) was second despite losing the front at the end of the session while on a fast lap, rider ok, and third went the way of his teammate Fermin Aldeguer, who found time on a last fast lap to rocket up the order.

    Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) was fourth as he looks to fight for a maiden win this weekend, with Championship leader Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing) completing the top five.

    Alonso obliterates the lap record to pull half a second on Esteban, Holgado

    It was a quick afternoon for the Moto3™ field at the Michelin® Grand Prix de France with CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team’s David Alonso continuing to mark his ground in Le Mans. The Colombian smashed the lap record for the second time on Friday, setting a remarkable 1:40.470. The #80 was ahead of teammate Joel Esteban (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), who was the only other rider inside the 1:40 bracket – but 0.480s adrift from Alonso. In third place after briefly snatching the top spot with 10 minutes remaining was Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) – continuing to look like a race contender.

    It was a dramatic session throughout with riders pushing to the absolute limit as the top spot changed hands multiple times between Alonso, Esteban, and Holgado. There were also a number of crashers, riders ok.

    Meanwhile, returning to racing this weekend was Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), ending Friday in fourth but a mere 0.014s faster than Jerez winner Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), who rounded out the top five despite suffering a crash in the closing stages of the session at turn 13.

  • Landi Norris lands his first F1 victory beating Verstappen: Miami F1 GP

    Landi Norris lands his first F1 victory beating Verstappen: Miami F1 GP

    Miami, 5 May 2024: McLaren’s Lando Norris scored his first Formula 1 race win in the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, benefiting from a mid-race Safety Car to jump ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and then power to a convincing victory seven seconds clear of the championship leader. Charles Leclerc took third place for Ferrari ahead of team-mate Carlos Sainz and the second Red Bull of Sergio Pérez.

    “About time,” said Norris after winning at the 110th attempt. “What a race. It’s been a long time coming, but finally I’ve managed to do it, so I’m so happy for my whole team. I finally delivered for them. And, yeah, long day, tough race, but finally on top, so I’m over the moon.”

    When the lights went out at the start, Verstappen got away well to take the lead on the short run towards Turn 1. However, just behind him, Leclerc got away badly and under pressure from Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz, the Monegasque driver moved right to try to fend off the attack. Pérez, tried an ambitious move down the inside but he outbraked himself and slide across the track in front of Sainz. That allowed Leclerc to recover and retake second but as the Sainz and Pérez rejoined, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took advantage to edge past both and take P3. 

    At the front, Verstappen began to pull away from the pack, but Piastri, showing the first signs of McLaren’s strong pace, began to close in on Leclerc. And on lap four the Australian used DRS to power past the Ferrari driver on the long run to Turn 17. 

    The leaders then began to settle into their first stint and by lap 10 Verstappen had carved out a three-second lead over Piastri, while the McLaren driver had a similar advantage over the Ferrari’s of Leclerc and Sainz. Pérez, meanwhile, was holding onto fifth place, 1.7s behind Sainz and just ahead of Norris.

    At the end of lap 18, Pérez became the first of the front-runners to make a pit stop, switching to Hard compound Pirellis in a 1.9s stop. Leclerc was next in, two laps later, but Verstappen, Paistri, Sainz and Norris stayed out. Verstappen then had a moment when he took too much kerb in Turn 14 and after bouncing across the chicane he hit an off-track bollard. 

    The collision appeared to do minimal damage, but the bollard was on the racing line and a VSC was briefly deployed. As the caution ended, Verstappen pitted for checks on his front wing and for a set of Hard tyres, a move that put Piastri into the lead ahead of Sainz and when they made stops on lap 27, Norris inherited the lead ahead of Verstappen. 

    With Norris requiring a fresh set of tyres, the expectation was that Verstappen would soon return to top spot, but on lap 29, Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant collided at Turn 2. Sargeant went off backwards and the Safety Car was released.

    The race restarted on lap 33, with Norris having to defend hard as Verstappen attacked but the McLaren driver 

    Held on to the lead and in the following laps he carved out a 1.5s gap to Verstappen.

    Behind them, Sainz began to put heavy pressure on Piastri and on lap 39 the Ferrari driver muscled his way through. There was contact and the front wing damage sustained by Paistri allowed Pérez to pounce and he roared past the struggling McLaren to get back fifth place. Hamilton, too, got past Piastri who was forced to pit for a new wing. 

    At the front, with Verstappen again complaining about a lack of front-end grip, Norris began to tighten his grip on the lead. But lap 45 he was four seconds ahead of Verstappen and with the champion eventually settling into management mode ahead of Leclerc, Norris was able to stretch his lead to seven seconds at the flag. 

    Behind Verstappen, Leclerc took third place ahead of Sainz, while Pérez took a battling fifth place ahead of Hamilton and RB’s Yuki Tsunoda. George Russell finished eighth in the second Mercedes ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and the final point went to Alpine’s Esteban Ocon. 

    2024 FIA Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix – Race
    1 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 57 1:30’49.876 
    2 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 57 1:30’57.488 7.612
    3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 57 1:30’59.796 9.920
    4 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 57 1:31’01.283 11.407
    5 Sergio Pérez Red Bull/Honda RBPT 57 1:31’04.526 14.650
    6 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 57 1:31’06.461 16.585
    7 Yuki Tsunoda RB/Honda RBPT 57 1:31’16.061 26.185
    8 George Russell Mercedes 57 1:31’24.665 34.789
    9 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 57 1:31’26.983 37.107
    10 Esteban Ocon Alpine/Renault 57 1:31’29.622 39.746
    11 Nico Hülkenberg Haas/Ferrari 57 1:31’30.665 40.789
    12 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 57 1:31’34.834 44.958
    13 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 57 1:31’39.632 49.756
    14 Zhou Guanyu Sauber/Ferrari 57 1:31’39.855 49.979
    15 Daniel Ricciardo RB/Honda RBPT 57 1:31’40.832 50.956
    16 Valtteri Bottas Sauber/Ferrari 57 1:31’42.232 52.356
    17 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 57 1:31’45.049 55.173
    18 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 57 1:31’54.559 1’04.683
    19 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 57 1:32’05.967 1’16.091
         Logan Sargeant Williams/Mercedes 27 43’03.540 Accident

  • Verstappen takes his first Sprint pole of 2024: Miami F1

    Verstappen takes his first Sprint pole of 2024: Miami F1

    Miami, 3 May 2024: Max Verstappen took his first Sprint pole of 2024, beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by just over a tenth of a second in a tight qualifying session for the Sprint at the 2024 FIA Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. Sergio Pérez took third place, but Mercedes’ George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were eliminated at the end of SQ2. 

    At the start of SQ1 it was Pérez who took the early lead but the Red Bull driver was immediately bounced out of top spot by team-mate Verstappen who posted a time of 1:28.601 to eclipse the Mexican by eight hundredths of a second. 

    Pérez was then shuffled back to fourth as McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took second, just 0.038s behind Verstappen, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Lando Norris, in the other McLaren, then bumped all four down a place by taking top spot with a lap of 1:27.939. 

    Haas’ Kevin Magnussen then made a big jump, posting a lap of 1:28.377 to climb to third behind Verstappen, and the Danish driver’s time was followed by a slew of late improvements, with Piastri slotting into P2 behind Norris and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso moving ahead of Verstappen thanks to a final lap of 1:28.192. 

    At the bottom of the order there was no place in SQ2 for Alpine’s Pierre Gasly who went out in P16, ahead of the Alfa Romeos of Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas. The bottom two places were filled by Williams pair Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon. Thai driver Albon might have made it through but his final lap was deleted for a track limits infringement in Turn 15 and he exited in P20. 

    At the start of the second segment, Pérez again set the early pace. The Mexican posted a lap of 1:27.865 to take top spot a tenth of a second ahead of Leclerc and two clear of RB’s Daniel Ricciardo. However, Norris then appeared to once again bounce the Red Bull driver out of P1, with the McLaren going quickest of all with a lap of 1:27.597. 

    Verstappen opted for a single SQ2 run but after emerging with just over three minutes remaining, the Dutchman could only make his way to fourth place on the timesheet behind Leclerc and 0.121 ahead of Ricciardo. Piastri went through in P6 ahead of Alonso, the second Ferrari or Carlos Sainz, the second Aston of Lance Stroll and the 10th-placed Haas of Nico Hülkenberg.

    However, the major shock was the exit of both Mercedes drivers, with George Russell dropping out in P11 a little under three hundredths of a second ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton who took 12th place. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon exited in P13 ahead of Magnussen, while Yuki Tsunoda in the other RB was ruled out in P15. 

    In SQ3, Pérez led the way for the third time in the session, with the Mexican stopping the clock at 1:27.876. Behind him Verstappen had a nervous moment in Turn 14, but despite the snap he moved to the top of the order, two tenths ahead of his team-mate. 

    After topping the first two session and with Verstappen making a mistake, the way looked clear for Norris to take a second Sprint pole of the season but a lurid slide on his lap lost the Briton a chunk of time as Leclerc took second, Norris had to settle for ninth. 

    Behind the top three, Ricciardo took an impressive fourth for RB ahead of Sainz, Piastri and Stroll. Alonso was eighth ahead of Norris and the final top 10 place was filled by Hülkenberg. 

    2024 FIA Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix – Sprint Qualifying 
    1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:27.641 – –
    2 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:27.749 0.108 0.123
    3 Sergio Pérez Red Bull Racing 1:27.876 0.235 
    4 Daniel Ricciardo RB 1:28.044 0.403 
    5 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:28.103 0.462 
    6 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:28.161 0.520 
    7 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:28.375 0.734 
    8 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:28.419 0.778
    9 Lando Norris McLaren 1:28.472 0.831 
    10 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 1:28.476 0.835 
    11 George Russell Mercedes 1:28.343 0.702 
    12 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:28.371 0.730 
    13 Esteban Ocon Alpine 1:28.379 0.738 
    14 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:28.614 0.973 
    15 Yuki Tsunoda RB – – –
    16 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:29.185 1.544 
    17 Zhou Guanyu Sauber 1:29.267 1.626 
    18 Valtteri Bottas Sauber 1:29.360 1.719 
    19 Logan Sargeant Williams 1:29.551 1.910 
    20 Alexander Albon Williams 1:29.858 2.217 

  • Clash of the titans: Bagnaia defeats Marquez in all-time classic at Jerez

    Clash of the titans: Bagnaia defeats Marquez in all-time classic at Jerez

    The Italian makes a huge statement at Jerez, locking horns with Marquez as Martin crashes out and sees his lead slashed to just 17 points.

    Jerez, 28 April 2024: Any questions? Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) made a serious statement on Sunday at the Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España, following up two tougher race weekends with an all-time great at Jerez. But it takes two to create a true clash of the titans, and home hero Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) more than obliged, resulting in one of the greatest showdowns Jerez has ever staged. Won by Bagnaia in front of a partisan, sold-out crowd and one of the best atmospheres in the sport, it also brings him to within 17 points of the Championship lead as Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) crashed out. Just behind the duel for the win, Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) made a return to the podium in third after getting his fair share of elbows out early on.

    As the lights went out, Marquez took the holeshot – just – as Martin got incredibly close to the rear of the #93. But the Championship leader was forced to settle for second as Bezzecchi and Bagnaia slotted into third and fourth in the aftermath. Fourth wasn’t enough for the #1 though, even in the early stages, as Bagnaia went for an incredible 2-for-1 move at the end of the back straight… round the outside.

    By the final corner on the same lap, Marquez was just wide enough on the exit to open the door. Bagnaia sliced through to lead, but by Turn 1 the #93 was heading back up the inside, both were slightly wide, and Martin was trying to pick their pocket. Bagnaia shot back into the lead though, now with the #89 on his tail and Marquez relegated to third.

    By the final corner next time round it was all change again, with Bagnaia the rider in hot – letting both Martin and Marquez through but the latter temporarily as the #1 hit back at Turn 1. The next key move came from Bezzecchi at the final corner as he got through on Marquez, and then came the big title drama.

    With Bagnaia right on his tail but a potential huge points lead up for grabs, Martin then suddenly slid out from the front as the Championship took an instant twist. Rider ok, but leaving key rival Bagnaia to lead Bezzecchi and Marquez in the chase for 25 more points, and letting that home GP win go begging.

    Bagnaia and Marquez (93) indulge in a fierce fight before the former prevails.

    Up ahead, the race pounded on. Bagnaia led the way as the tension rose on his tail, with the #93 inching closer to Bezzecchi ahead. When the VR46 machine went very slightly deep at the final corner, the Gresini was glued to him. Later that lap he struck, kept it, and then set off after Bagnaia. The duel was taking shape.

    The gap hovered around a second, but by just under ten to go, Marquez was three tenths quicker. Bagnaia responded, and then Marquez responded, with the two not yet sharing the same bit of track. But the distance back to Bezzecchi growing and growing.

    By five to go, the first mission was complete for the #93. The Gresini was tagged onto the rear tyre of the Ducati Lenovo machine, and he didn’t stalk his prey for long. Marquez went for it at Turn 9, but Bagnaia responded immediately into 10, slicing straight back alongside the #93 as the two bashed into each other and jostled over the racing line. The #93 was ahead but as Bagnaia sliced through into the next apex, Marquez had no choice but to concede. Something not many have ever made him do. It was as you were, the tension left to build again.

    A lap later, the stadium section got another show. This time Marquez divebombed it instead, and the door for the cutback was left a little more open. Bagnaia needed no second invitation, back in the lead, slicing straight through. As you were. Three to go. The #93 was forced to regroup, but over the line to start the next lap, Bagnaia had found even more – setting a new best race lap as the #1 put the pedal to the medal, and then through the floor.

    Both on the absolute limit, the crowd on their feet. Two laps, four tenths, two riders, one win. The #1 pounded on. The #93 cut back into the gap, centimetre by centimetre. But the tarmac left to race at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto was disappearing in metres and kilometers, not centimetres, and Bagnaia was holding strong. The final chance for Marquez to create his fairytale was the final corner… but he just wasn’t close enough. So Bagnaia completed his.

    0.372 is a small margin to be part of such a big statement, but it was a mammoth race win for the reigning Champion after a touger run – and it brings him to just 17 points off Martin in the Championship. Second overall after his second GP win of the season. Marquez takes his first dry weather podium since 2022, but that win will likely be on his mind as the paddock arrives at Mugello. The opposite home turf. But more on that later, we’re sure.

    Bezzecchi, meanwhile, was back on the rostrum for the first time since his incredible Indian GP win in 2023, making his own statement after a performance to remember. Behind, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) took fourth to just deny Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) by the flag, the two with some tenths in hand over Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) took P7 and held off top Aprilia Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing), with COTA winner Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) just tenths off in P9. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) crashed earlier in the race with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), both riders ok.

    Superstar rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) had a mammoth crash in Warm Up, rider ok but race day seeing him come home in P10 at the flag. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) held off Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) in a near photo finish just behind, with Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) completing the points.

    There was drama as Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) collided with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and both crashed out earlier in the race, and MotoGP™ Legend Daniel Pedrosa’s Red Bull Factory Racing wildcard came to an early end with a crash too.

    After the drama for some, glory for others, and scores to be settled noted down for many on the grid, the record-breaking Spanish GP comes to an end. But that duel, that defeat, and that win will not be forgotten. Next up it’s Le Mans, with another huge crowd assured. And another chance for the world’s most exciting sport to prove that’s far more than a tagline.

  • Vintage Marquez: pole, save, celebrate

    Vintage Marquez: pole, save, celebrate

    MM93 takes his 93rd career pole ahead of Bezzecchi and Martin as damp quali delivers a classic in Jerez.

    Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) raised the roof on home turf at the Gran Premio Estrella Galicia 0,0 de España, taking his first pole on a Ducati and the 93rd pole of his career. It was pure vintage Marquez too – moving the benchmark in the damp followed immediately by an almighty save round Turn 1. But no one could overhaul his lap, and the #93 heads the grid ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). 

    By the time Q1 began, the rain had eased but the track remained damp, presenting the grid with a whole new challenge. And the top spot switched lap on lap as some improved and some lost time, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and teammates Jack Miller and Dani Pedrosa, wildcarding this weekend, in the mix, as well as a fast one from Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing). But as the clock ticked down it was Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) who found even more time, shaving more than six tenths off the top to push Binder down to second.

    Pedrosa and Miller had gone early and had no late challenge, with the final decider then coming down to a lap from Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), but the Frenchman lost out after a storming start and was forced to settle for third. Morbidelli moved through along with Binder, leaving Zarco, Oliveira, Miller and Pedrosa behind to start from P13 down.

    DID YOU MISS ME?
    As Q2 began, the conditions were drying but still damp. The field filed out for a recon run as soon as the light went green, and then the timing screens lit up. After a few furious minutes it was Q1 graduate Binder on top ahead of Marc Marquez, with Martin edging out rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) to complete the provisional front row.

    The first red sector assault on Run 2 was coming in from Acosta too, but the rookie then slid out at Turn 13 when seven tenths up. No harm done, he picked it up and got back on, but the lap was lost. Next up, Bezzecchi was putting in similar splits, and the Italian did complete his lap, taking over on top and Martin slotting into second behind him. But then came Marquez.

    Half a second up by the final sector, it looked a dead cert, but nothing ever is in MotoGP. This time though, there was no drama and he crossed the line to take provisional pole, setting the only 1:46 so far and, as it would turn out, the only one of the session. And then it got even more Marquez as the #93 was forced into a classic Turn 1 save on his knee, leaving that one lap as the target for the rest as the final seconds ticked down. But there was no more coming and it’s a little slice of history made on home turf.

    THE GRID
    Bezzecchi starts second, 0.271 off the top, with Martin third to complete a fascinating front row of rivalries new and old. Binder takes fourth following quite a Saturday morning recovery mission after the South African found himself in Q1, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) completing Row 2.

    The third row is reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Q1 graduate Morbidelli, and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), with Acosta not able to move up the order after his crash and set to start P10. But that’s just ahead of COTA winner Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) as he and teammate Aleix Espargaro, just behind him, had a tougher one in the wet. They’ll be looking to move forward in a big way once the lights go out. For the Tissot Sprint they’ll do that at 15:00 today, for the Grand Prix at 14:00 tomorrow. (5.30pm IST)

  • Razgatlioglu and Bautista share honours at the Cathedral: WorldSBK

    Razgatlioglu and Bautista share honours at the Cathedral: WorldSBK

    Assen, 21 April 2024: Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) shared the spoils on Sunday in Assen. In the ten lap Tissot Superpole Race Bautista led the field home after a stunning comeback ride saw him come through the field to take the lead from Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) on the penultimate lap.

    Starting from pole position, Bautista led the majority of the first half of Race 2 but with spots of rain in the air the field closed up. Razgatlioglu choose this as his moment to pounce but with Bautista retaking the lead before Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) mixed it in.

    The Turkish moved into the lead for the final six laps but was under pressure throughout the closing stages. Bautista would finish less than a second behind the race winner with Gardner able to claim his first career podium. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) finished in fourth position ahead of Locatelli.

    When WorldSBK returns to action there will be just six points separating Bautista and Razgatlioglu with Bulega a further eight points adrift after a difficult weekend. The Italian finished Race 2 in eighth position.

    P1 | Toprak Razgatlioglu  | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
    “Grid position isn’t important because it’s the race that matters. I enjoyed this race. At the start there was a bit of rain. I stayed close just to watch the guys and understand what to do. I needed a good pace and I passed people step by step and finally I was in the lead! We made a mistake in the Superpole Race with the tyre so I used the SC0 tyre in the afternoon and it worked well. I want to say thanks to my team’s hard work this weekend because finally we have won in Assen! I’ve never won here before and also for BMW they hadn’t won here. I’m very happy today!”

    P2 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
    “I’m really happy with how the whole weekend has been. To finish all three races on the podium in these conditions is a pleasure. Race 1 was really tricky and I enjoyed the Superpole Race a lot. There was some light rain in the afternoon and it was a bit difficult. I tried to keep a little bit of margin and I think second position was good. I’m really happy and we are building my confidence with the bike.”

    P3 | Remy Gardner | GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
    “It’s been two years without a podium for me so yeah I’ve definitely had some really hard times. Obviously, everyone knows my GP story and then we didn’t get a podium last year when I moved to WorldSBK. It’s been a big challenge for me and I just want to say thank you to my girlfriend and my team and everyone that has believed in me. Finally it’s so good to be back on the podium again and I can’t wait to go to the next race already.”

    WorldSBK Race 2 Results

    1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
    2. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.625s
    3. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +1.022
    4. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +3.120s
    5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +3.217s
    6. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +5.174

    Championship Standings

    1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 123 points
    2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)  117 points
    3. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 109 points

    WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race Results

    1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
    2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +2.686s
    3. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +7.403s
    4. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +7.551s
    5. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +8.177s
    6. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +9.114s

  • Tyre gamble pays off for WorldSBK debutant Spinelli: WorldSBK

    Tyre gamble pays off for WorldSBK debutant Spinelli: WorldSBK

    Assen, 20 April 2024: A brave tyre gamble paid off for the Nicholas Spinelli (Barni Spark Racing Team) at the TT Circuit Assen in Race 1 of the Dutch Round. On a drying track the Italian rider, making his WorldSBK debut, was the only rider to opt for intermediate tyres and he was rewarded with a stunning victory. Spinelli, a replacement rider for the injured Danilo Petrucci, was immediately able to get to the front of the field and led every lap before a red flag ended proceedings. The red flag was brought about by a technical failure for Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and ensured the first WorldSBK victory for the long standing Barni Spark Racing Team.

    Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) joined Spinelli on the podium but the red flag, on Lap 14, cost them the chance to win the race. The duo had closed down a margin of over 20 seconds at one point before being in position to attack for the win prior to the stoppage.

    Earlier in the day Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) splashed his way to Superpole success in wet conditions. The Northern Irishman claimed the 44th pole position of his career and his first for Yamaha. He will start tomorrow’s ten lap Tissot Superpole Race from pole position and came away from Race 1 with a sixth place finish.

    Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) started from the front row of the grid but had to settle for just 11th position at the end of the race. He maintains a championship lead but is now just one point ahead of Razgatlioglu and Bautista.

    P1 | Nicholas Spinelli | Barni Spark Racing Team
    “It’s incredible because this is my first race and I am in front of Toprak and Bautista! It’s really incredible. The first time I rode a Superbike was in Friday Practice but this bike is very strong. I have tried to approach this weekend step by step and session for session. I don’t have experience with this bike. I told my team that I didn’t know which tyre to use and the team decided to go for the intermediate. I had a gap of 25 seconds but by the last lap the gap was closer! When I saw it was four seconds I thought ‘no! It’s over for me.’ When I saw the red flag it was very lucky for me but that’s the race! I’m happy for this win because it’s very incredible.”

    P2 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
    “Firstly, congratulations to Spinelli. I needed just one more lap but the race finished like this. I was enjoying this race a lot. The first laps were exciting because the first sector was wet and we were sliding. You are trying to stay on the line for this. I needed a victory here for BMW but in the end we finished in second position. We will see what happens tomorrow but everyone is working hard for the best position possible.”

    P3 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
    “This was a crazy race! It seemed like the first half of the race was about relaxing and not making a mistake but the second part of the race was attacking at 100% or even 120%! It was crazy. In the beginning there were a lot of overtakes all around the lap. It was crazy but I enjoyed this race a lot. The red flag meant that we missed the last seven laps and I think it was going to be a good battle for the victory with Toprak. In any case I’m happy and congratulations to Spinelli because it was incredible. It was a really good tyre choice.

    WorldSBK Race 1 Results

    1. Nicholas Spinelli (Barni Spark Racing Team)
    2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +1.979s
    3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +2.089s
    4. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +4.851s
    5. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +5.147s
    6. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +5.376s

    Championship Standings

    1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 92 points
    2. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 91 points
    3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 91 points

    WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Results

    1. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) 1’42.650s
    2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.094
    3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.353s

  • Max Verstappen take pole for Chinese Grand Prix

    Max Verstappen take pole for Chinese Grand Prix

    Shanghai (China), 20 April 2024: Max Verstappen scored his fifth pole in five races and Red Bull’s 100th pole position with a dominant performance in qualifying for the 2024 FIA Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, beating Red Bull team-mate Sergio Pérez by three tenths of a second. Fernando Alonso took third place for Aston Martin. 

    It was Alonso who made the early running at the start of Q1, with the Spaniad taking top spot with a lap of 1:35.226. Verstappen’s first flying lap of qualifying for Sunday’s first Chinese Grand Prix since 2019 put the champion in second place, 0.055s behind the Aston Martin driver. Elsewhere, Pérez was forced wide on his opening lap when he came across a much slower Alex Albon, a moment that almost cost the Mexican dearly later on. 

    McLaren’s Piastri moved ahead of Alonso at the top of the order but he was quickly ousted by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz who in turn was bumped out of top spot by McLaren’s Lando Norris who reset the bar at 1:34.842.

    Sergio, meanwhile, was for another run but on what he later called “hot, used tyres” his first proper effort only put him sixth, 0.615s behind Norris’ pacesetting time. It led to a nervous final few minutes for the Mexican as a barrage of better final runs came in across the field. 

    At the top of that list of quicker times was Verstappen, whose second run vaulted him to top spot. The China Sprint winner posted a lap of 1:34.742 to progress to Q2 ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Norris. 

    Pérez, however, was in trouble. With the track ramping up swiftly and with a number of drivers making big leaps up the order, the Mexican driver slid to 15th at the end of the session. “That was close,” he said as he slipped through to second session just under five hundredths of a second ahead of Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu who was eliminated in P16.

    But while Pérez was lucky to escape the drop, there was no such good fortune for Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. Behind 17th-place Kevin Magnussen of Haas, Lewis Hamilton dropped out in P18, ahead of RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Williams’ Logan Sargeant. 

    Verstappen maintained his grip on top spot at the start of the second session, with the Dutchman posting a strong opening lap of 1:33.946 to take spot, half a second ahead of Norris, with Piastri two tenths further back in third. 

    Pérez posted a lap of 1:34.883, putting him fifth behind Alonso and almost a second off Max, but as the Mexican crossed the line, Sainz was powering into the final corner. However, the Spaniard dipped the rear right wheel into the gravel and his Ferrari was immediately pitched into a 360 degree spin. He slid backwards into the barriers and the session was red-flagged. The Ferrari driver managed to get his car going again and under the red flag he limped back to the pits minus his front wing. 

    After an almost 10-minute halt to clear debris from Sainz’s crash, the session resumed with seven minutes left on the clock. Mercedes’ George Russell was first out on track and he jumped to P3 with a time of 1:34.609. Only Verstappen joined him on track at this stage and the champion extended his P1 advantage, posting a lap of 1:33.794 to sit 0.666s ahead of Norris. 

    Sainz, in his swiftly repaired Ferrari climbed to P2 in the closing moments of the session, ahead of team-mate Leclerc, but behind them Pérez was going quicker and the Mexican made it a one-two at the flag with a lap of 1:34.026 that put him more than three tenths clear of the Sainz. 

    Outside the top 10, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was eliminated in P11 ahead of fellow fallers Daniel Ricciardo of RB, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Williams’ Alex Albon and the second Alpine of Pierre Gasly. 

    In the final top-10 shootout, Verstappen Max stamped his authority on the timesheet in the first runs, setting a lap of 1:33.977 to beat Alonso by 0.394s. Pérez took third but was unhappy with a change to his front wing ahead of the session. Norris sat in fourth ahead of team-mate Piastri, with the McLarens ahead of the Ferraris of Sainz and Leclerc. 

    And in the final runs of the session Verstappen was untouchable. The Red Bull pairing were last out on track but while there was movement on the timesheet, with Alonso moving up the order to initially take P2 ahead of the McLarens and Ferrari, Verstappen was going quicker than his own opening run and when he crossed the line he improved to 1:33.660 to take Red Bull’s 100th pole and to become the first driver since Mika Häkkinen in 1999 to take pole in the opening five races of a season. 

    “Before I jumped in the car [before qualifying] Christian told me that if I got pole it would be 100 for the team and I thought ‘that’s nice, I’ll try, I’ll give it a good go’,” he said. “It’s an incredible achievement for the whole team. Of course there was a good contribution from Seb back in the day! It just shows that the car is really working well. It’s a good start to the year and I feel very confident in quali compared to last year.” 

    Behind him, Pérez also improved but he finished two tenths off Verstappen as he took the 12th front row start of his career and his second of the season so far. Alonso finished third ahead of Norris and Piastri, while Sainz and Leclerc will line up on row three ahead of Russell, Haas’ Nico Hülkenberg and Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas. 

    2024 FIA Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix – Qualifying
    1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:33.660 – –
    2 Sergio Pérez Red Bull Racing 1:33.982 0.322 0.344
    3 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:34.148 0.488 0.521
    4 Lando Norris McLaren 1:34.165 0.505 0.539
    5 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:34.273 0.613 0.654
    6 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:34.289 0.629 0.672
    7 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:34.297 0.637 0.680
    8 George Russell Mercedes 1:34.433 0.773 0.825
    27 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 1:34.604 0.944 1.008
    10 Valtteri Bottas Kick Sauber 1:34.665 1.005 1.073
    11 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:34.838 1.178 1.258
    12 Daniel Ricciardo RB 1:34.934 1.274 1.360
    13 Esteban Ocon Alpine 1:35.223 1.563 1.669
    14 Alexander Albon Williams 1:35.241 1.581 1.688
    15 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:35.463 1.803 1.925
    16 Zhou Guanyu Kick Sauber 1:35.505 1.845 1.970
    17 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:35.516 1.856 1.982
    18 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:35.573 1.913 2.042
    19 Yuki Tsunoda RB 1:35.746 2.086 2.227
    20 Logan Sargeant Williams 1:36.358 2.698 2.881

  • Max Verstappen wins first Sprint race of the season ahead of Hamilton

    Max Verstappen wins first Sprint race of the season ahead of Hamilton

    Shanghai (China) 20 April 2024: Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen won the first Sprint of the 2024 F1 season, powering through from fourth on the grid to beat Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, with Sergio Pérez third in the other Red Bull in the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix, the fifth round of the F1 World Championship at the Shanghai International Circuit here on Saturday.

    When the lights went out at the start of the 19 lap, 100-km dash to the flag, it was Hamilton who got away best and he immediately attacked polesitter Lando Norris of McLaren as they went into the long loop of the first two corners. Norris, on the outside, tried to resist, but he was forced out wide on the dirty side of the track and slid wide. He tumbled down to P7 as Hamilton took the lead. 

    Behind them, Aston Martin’s Fernand Alonso was in third ahead of Verstappen, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, P´rez and the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. Verstappen wasn’t happy, however, and as Hamilton began to build a gap at the front the Dutchman was on the radio complaining that he had a flat battery. He was given instructions to change settings on his steering wheel and during his phase dropped almost two seconds away from Hamilton and Alonso. 

    Just over a third of the way into the race, Hamilton had carved out a gap of 1.5s to Alonso, but Verstappen, with his battery issues fixed, was charging towards both. At the end of Lap 7, Verstappen closed in on Alonso and passed the Aston Martin driver into the hairpin to take P2.

    On lap eight Hamilton ran wide at the hairpin and that was all the incentive Verstappen needed. He closed the gap to half a second as they crossed the start/finish line and then began to apply the pressure through the first sector of lap nine before getting the pass done into the hairpin. With the lead secured, Verstappen raced into the distance, quickly opening a sizable gap to the rest of the pack. 

    While Hamilton remained a comfortable second, Alonso began to fall back towards Sainz, Perez, Leclerc and Norris, and an exciting tussle developed. 

    On Lap 14, Leclerc attacked Perez around the outside of the final hairpin, but failed to pass. He tried again on the following lap but locked up and fell back slightly. 

    On lap 16, Sainz attacked Alonso heading into Turn 6. The pair went side-by-side into Turn 7 and the two Spaniards made contact, allowing Perez to sneak past both at Turn 8.

    Alonso dropped back with a puncture and eventually retired. With Pérez in third, the battle for fourth was left to the two Ferraris who almost collided at the final hairpin – prompting an angry radio message from Leclerc – before Sainz ran wide at Turn 2 allowing his team mate to ease past.

    From there, the lead positions remained unchanged, with Verstappen taking victory over Hamilton and Pérez, as Leclerc, Sainz, Norris, Piastri and Russell completed the top-eight positions and secured the points on offer.

    2024 FIA Chinese Grand Prix – Sprint 
    1 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing19 32’04.660 
    2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 19 32’17.703 13.043
    3 Sergio Pérez Red Bull Racing 19 32’19.918 15.258
    4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 19 32’22.146 17.486
    5 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 19 32’25.356 20.696
    6 Lando Norris McLaren 19 32’26.748 22.088
    7 Oscar Piastri McLaren 19 32’29.373 24.713
    8 George Russell Mercedes 19 32’30.356 25.696
    9 Zhou Guanyu Kick Sauber 19 32’36.611 31.951
    10 Kevin Magnussen Haas 19 32’42.058 37.398
    11 Daniel Ricciardo RB19 32’42.500 37.840
    12 Valtteri Bottas Kick Sauber 19 32’42.955 38.295
    13 Esteban Ocon Alpine 19 32’44.501 39.841
    14 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 19 32’44.959 40.299
    15 Pierre Gasly Alpine 19 32’45.498 40.838
    16 Yuki Tsunoda RB 19 32’46.530 41.870
    17 Alexander Albon Williams 19 32’47.658 42.998
    18 Logan Sargeant Williams 19 32’51.012 46.352
    19 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 19 32’54.290 49.630
    20 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 17 29’39.513 Not running