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Author: Darshan Chokhani
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Japanese GP: Verstappen sets pace in dry FP3 from Ferrari pair
Max Verstappen ended up fastest in the first dry running in F1 Japanese GP in FP3 from Ferrari pair of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
As expected, it was dry weather conditions in Suzuka for the FP3 session in F1 Japanese GP weekend, as Red Bull’s Verstappen set the pace with a 1m30.671s lap from the Ferrari pair of Sainz (1m30.965s) and Leclerc (1m30.980s) on the soft compound.
Alpine’s Fernando Alonso (1m31.320s) showed strong form in fourth from the other Red Bull of Sergio Perez (1m31.514s) despite a small moment for the Spaniard, with the Mercedes pair of George Russell (1m31.530s) and Lewis Hamilton (1m31.589s) in sixth and seventh behind them.
The Brit had couple of run-ins in the session, one against Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel and other with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly. The leading McLaren of Lando Norris (1m31.747s) was eighth from Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (1m31.750s).
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll (1m31.838s) put in a good lap to be 10th, with McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo not far behind in 11th. Williams’ Alexander Albon also showed pace in 12th from Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas who dropped outside the Top 10.
Vettel was 14th from the Haas pair of Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher, where the German returned to the cockpit with a new chassis fitted. AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda was only 17th from Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu in the order.
Williams’ Nicholas Latifi ended up 19th despite a moment, while AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly – who will switch to Alpine in 2023 – was only 20th after he couldn’t stitch in a quick fast lap.
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Japanese GP: Russell quickest from Hamilton in wet FP2 session
Mercedes ended up 1-2 with George Russell fastest in FP2 of F1 Japanese GP from Lewis Hamilton in another wet session, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in P3.
It was still raining in FP2 of F1 Japanese GP at Suzuka as the FIA cancelled the scheduled Pirelli slick tyre test for 2023. The weather didn’t permit for dry running as the Italian manufacturer are now to add Mexico on their list apart from Austin.
The FIA, though, retained the 90 minutes time for the session as was decided for the Pirelli tyre test. The greasy condition caught out drivers as expected with a spin for Williams’ Nicholas Latifi along with off for AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez also had off at the same corner as Leclerc, as Mercedes pair of George Russell led the way with a 1m41.935s lap from teammate Lewis Hamilton (1m42.170s) with Red Bull pair of Max Verstappen (1m42.786s) and Perez (1m42.834s) following them.
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen ended up fifth after a late quick lap that demoted Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz (1m43.204s) to sixth from Fernando Alonso (1m43.533s). The Dane was the lone Haas after the crash for Mick Schumacher in FP1 left the team to change the chassis, which forced him out of the session.
Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas (1m43.733s) slotted in between the two Alpine drivers where Esteban Ocon (1m43.884s) was ninth from the other Alfa Romeo of Zhou Guanyu (1m44.525s). Having had some work done on his car, Leclerc (1m44.803s) was only 11th where he was struggling to get a feel in his car.
The Williams pair of Latifi and Alexander Albon were 12th and 13th, while Haas’ Kevin Magnussen ended up 13th, with the first of AlphaTauri of Yuki Tsunoda in 14th from Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel.
The McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo were 16th and 17th after they elected to do limited running, with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly rounding the 19 runners.
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Japanese GP: Alonso fastest from Ferrari pair in wet FP1 session
Fernando Alonso led a wet FP1 session in F1 Japanese GP which had limited running, from Ferrari pair of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
The drivers were greeted with wet weather conditions at the returning Suzuka in FP1 of F1 Japanese GP as most stayed indoors for long into the session. Only few ventured using the wet compounds after which they switched onto the intermediates.
It was still raining at certain parts of the track while they ran on the intermediate compound. The limited running saw off moments for Williams’ Nicholas Latifi, McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo and the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz.
With rain around, Alpine’s Fernando Alonso ended up on top with a 1m42.248s lap ahead of the Ferrari pair of Sainz (1m42.563s) and Leclerc (1m42.634s), with other Alpine of Esteban Ocon (1m43.022s) in fourth from Haas’ Kevin Magnussen (1m43.258s).
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (1m43.362s) was sixth with the other Haas of Mick Schumacher (1m43.761s) in seventh, while McLaren’s Lando Norris (1m43.889s) eighth, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas (1m43.969s) ninth and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez (1m44.234s) rounding the Top 10.
Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu was 11th where the Finn and Chinese racer did venture out on full wets towards the end of the session. McLaren’s Ricciardo was 12th from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Williams’ Alexander Albon in Top 15.
The first of AlphaTauri of Pierre Gasly slotted in 16th from the other Williams of Latifi, while Mercedes’ George Russell was 18th, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda 19th – in his home F1 race – and Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel 20th.
Post the practice starts for the drivers who ventured out late in the session using the full wets, it wasn’t the best end for Haas’ Schumacher, who lost it at Dunlop Curve on a puddle and smashed his car on the barrier in a heavy front damage to the car.
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Singapore GP: Perez wins tricky race but is under investigation
Sergio Perez held off Charles Leclerc to win a delayed F1 Singapore GP in mixed conditions, with Carlos Sainz in third.
The start of F1 Singapore GP was delayed due to heavy rain at Marina Bay circuit just before the original start. It got going under dry weather but damp conditions with everyone on the intermediate compound to start the grand prix.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez took the F1 Singapore GP at the start jumping on pole-sitter Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with Carlos Sainz keeping third despite banging wheels with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. There was an investigation into it by the stewards.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was fifth from Alpine’s Fernando Alonso with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly in seventh, Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel eighth, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda ninth and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll rounding off the Top 10.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen lost chunk of places due to a bad start to be 12th, as Mercedes’ George Russell started from the pitlane due to a power unit change for the grand prix. It was steady at the front but the Dutchman was the driver on the charge.
He was up inside the Top 10 when Haas’ Kevin Magnussen was shown the black and orange flag for front wing damage. In that moment, there was a collision between Williams’ Nicholas Latifi and Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu.
The Canadian closed the door on the Chinese as the Alfa Romeo driver touched the wall. He stopped immediately with a broken suspension, while a puncture for the Williams driver ended his race with the FIA deploying the safety car to clear the cars.
Replays showed a moment where Russell went straight on after clipping the endplate of Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas. With the conditions similar, no one pitted under the safety car as the re-start saw Perez continue to lead from Leclerc, Sainz and Hamilton.
Behind them, Norris held off Alonso for fifth as Verstappen cleared both Gasly and Vettel to be up to seventh. Tsunoda rounded out the Top 10 from Stroll. It started to get to the stage where teams were in deliberation mode about switching to slick compound.
While the wait was on for the slick situation, there was a Virtual Safety Car period for Alonso who stopped due to an engine issue. Replays showed Tsunoda having a moment too to lose places, as Russell pitted from 16th to change to slick tyres.
Mercedes went with nothing to lose attitude as Russell had to make a good save at the pit exit due to greasy conditions. There was another VSC period after Albon went straight into the barrier at Turn 8 and lost his front wing which got stuck.
He limped back to the pits but was forced to retire. Only moments after it got green, there was another VSC period with a retirement for Alpine’s Esteban Ocon due to engine issue. It made it both the Williams and Alpine cars out of the F1 Singapore GP.
The re-start was spicy between Norris and Verstappen where the two went wheel-to-wheel before the Dutchman braked and backed off in his chase for sixth. Hamilton got in the mix of this fight when the Brit went straight on at Turn 7 in the barrier.
There was some damage and he eventually pitted after couple of laps for a tyre and front wing change. The pit stop game kicked-off once Russell started to set good lap times. Leclerc was the first among the leaders with Perez, Sainz and Verstappen.
A safety car was deployed soon after Tsunoda went straight into the barrier at Turn 10 to retire. The safety car allowed McLaren pair to pit and gain as the re-start saw Verstappen go off at Turn 6 while trying to pass Norris for fourth.
He re-joined but was forced to pit which dropped to last. Russell had slow puncture after colliding with Haas’ Mick Schumacher at Turn 1 while trying to pass him. The Brit moved a bit right towards the German, where the stewards put them under investigation.
Both Russell and Schumacher were forced to pit, as the FIA also noted a safety car infringement for Perez who complained about an engine issue on the radio while being chased by Leclerc for the lead of the F1 Singapore GP.
The fight between the two continued on for the lead as Sainz was third from Norris, Ricciardo, Stroll, Vettel, Hamilton, Gasly and Bottas in the Top 10. Just outside it, Verstappen was on the tail to score some points but Russell was far off.
He didn’t take time to catch them and pass both Bottas and Gasly to be ninth just behind Hamilton. At the front, Perez had it under control and the FIA stated that his safety car infringement is to be investigated after the grand prix.
Perez eventually brought it home with a F1 Singapore GP win over Ferrari pair of Leclerc and Sainz, while McLaren had a jolly time with a fourth and fifth place finish where Norris was ahead of Ricciardo, while Stroll did a good job in sixth.
Verstappen ended up seventh after passing Vettel on the final lap of the race. The Dutchman passed Hamilton a lap ago after the Brit tried a move on the German and went straight on at Turn 8. He was ninth eventually as Gasly was 10th.
Bottas was outside points in 11th from Magnussen, Schumacher and Russell where the German was a lap down and the Brit ending up two laps down.
DNF: Tsunoda, Ocon, Albon, Alonso, Latifi, Guanyu
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Singapore GP: Leclerc takes pole as Verstappen is only P8
Charles Leclerc took F1 Singapore GP pole from Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton, as Max Verstappen ended up only eighth.
Q1:
The first part in F1 Singapore GP qualifying at Marina Bay circuit saw intermediate tyres for all with the track still damp despite no rain in the air. Mercedes got the ball rolling very early on as everybody took some time to find the right grip.
There were moments from multiple drivers which included Haas’ Kevin Magnussen, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Williams’ Alexander Albon, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. But there were no major trouble for anyone in the session.
Verstappen set the pace with a 1m53.057s from Hamilton and Leclerc in the Top 3, as there was a major fall for Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (1m56.337s) who looked solid all-through. He ended up only 18th behind Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas (1m56.083s) and McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo (1m56.226s).
The Top 20 was rounded out by the Williams pair of Alexander Albon (1m56.985s) and Nicholas Latifi (1m57.532s), as replays showed a minor barrier moment for Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel. Also, Bottas was knocked out after a late lap from Haas’ Mick Schumacher.
Q2:
The second part in F1 Singapore GP qualifying saw intermediate tyres again to start the session. There was a moment for Haas’ Schumacher and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, where the latter had his while he switched to soft compound to try the slicks.
Only Aston Martin drivers and Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu opted to use the soft compound where the trio did make it in Q3. Ferrari’s Leclerc set the pace with a 1m52.343s lap as Mercedes’ Hamilton and Red Bull’s Verstappen rounded out the Top 3.
While Hamilton shone well, teammate George Russell was knocked out in Q2 in 11th with a 1m54.012s lap as the gamble from Aston Martin didn’t work with Stroll (1m54.211s) in 12th from Schumacher (1m54.370s), Sebastian Vettel (1m54.380s) and Guanyu (1m55.318s) – where the German had a moment on his final lap.
Q3:
The final part in F1 Singapore GP qualifying saw eight drivers on the slick tyres, while AlphaTauri’s Yuki Ysunoda and Haas’ Magnussen on the intermediate tyre still. But they changed to slick compound after setting an early lap on the inters.
The fight for pole was on with Mercedes’ Hamilton throwing the challenge to both Red Bull and Ferrari drivers. The Brit was provisionally on pole with a 1m51.019 lap ahead of Verstappen and Sergio Perez, but the order kept changing until the end.
Verstappen looked to take pole on his penultimate lap with purple sectors but a wide moment in the final sector meant he had to abort and go again. He was looking good for a Top 3 finish, but was asked to pit by his team on the radio.
Despite asking why, Verstappen was told that they will discuss internally, but the likely reason could be fuel related. He ended up eighth as Leclerc (1m49.412s) took F1 Singapore GP pole from Perez (1m49.434s) and Hamilton (1m49.466s) – where the Top 3 were separated by 0.054s.
Perez missed pole by 0.022s, with Sainz (1m49.583s) ending up fourth from Alpine’s Fernando Alonso (1m49.966s), McLaren’s Lando Norris (1m50.584s), AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly (1m51.211s), Verstappen (1m51.395s), Magnussen (1m51.573s) and Tsunoda (1m51.983s) in the Top 10.
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Singapore GP: Leclerc quickest in a wet FP3 session from Verstappen
Charles Leclerc kept Ferrari on top in a wet FP3 session in F1 Singapore GP with Carlos Sainz third behind Max Verstappen.
The start of FP3 session in F1 Singapore GP was delayed due to heavy rain around Marina Bay circuit. The session started on time but the pitlane remained closed as the FIA assessed the situation before giving a green light for everyone to run on inters.
The track conditions remained greasy and damp as the drivers took the circuit to get some laps under their belt in case qualifying remains wet. Despite such conditions, there were not many mishaps apart from off-moments for both the Williams drivers.
In fact, Nicholas Latifi complained about the steering wheel not working the way he would have liked. There was also an unsafe release investigation for Haas’ Mick Schumacher after the team released him with lose tyres which they spotted very quickly.
Ferrari kept themselves in the hunt with Charles Leclerc setting the pace with a 1m57.782s lap as teammate Carlos Sainz was third behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Alpine had a good run with Fernando Alonso ending up fourth.
He dropped Red Bull’s Sergio Perez to fifth after a late lap, as Aston Martin continued its good run with Lance Stroll in sixth while teammate Sebastian Vettel popped up in eighth – both setting a late lap on improving conditions.
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon maintained his pace in seventh, as Mercedes’ George Russell was ninth and McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo in 10th. There was a late moment for the Brit as teammate Lewis Hamilton only managed 12th due to warm-up issues.
Haas’ Kevin Magnussen was 11th as AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly was 13th where he also had a moment just after the session ended. Haas’ Schumacher ended up 14th from AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda, who barely missed the wall into the right-hander.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was 16th from Williams’ Albon, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas & Zhou Guanyu and Williams’ Nicholas Latifi to round out the 20 runners.
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MotoGP: Bezzecchi secures career first pole in Thai GP
Marco Bezzecchi broke lap record en-route his first MotoGP pole in Thai GP from Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia in Ducati 1-2-3.
Q1:
The first part in MotoGP qualifying in Thai GP at Buriram circuit saw Honda’s Marc Marquez set the pace at the halfway mark with a 1m30.343s lap with RNF Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow slotting in second from Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro, who was outside of Q2 mark.
KTM’s Miguel Oliveira was fourth in the order from Yamaha’s Franco Morbidelli ahead of their second and final run. It was looking good for Espargaro when he went quickest but others improved behind him just at the end moment to knock him out.
It was Marquez making it in Q2 with a 1m30.038s lap with Oliveira pipping Espargaro by ending up in second. The MotoGP title contender had to be content with third and is to start the Thai GP from 13th ahead of Morbidelli and Crutchlow.
Tech 3 KTM’s Raul Fernandez did a fine job to be 16th from Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales, with the other Tech 3 of Remy Gardner in 18th from Honda’s Pol Espargaro. LCR Honda’s Alex Marquez rounded the Top 20 with Gresini Ducati’s Fabio di Giannantonio in 21st.
With Takaaki Nakagami undergoing surgery for his earlier crash, LCR’s Tetsuta Nagashima was 22nd in the standings from RNF’s Darryn Binder and Suzuki’s Danilo Petrucci, who is making his MotoGP return in place of injured Joan Mir.
Q2:
The second part in MotoGP qualifying in Thai GP saw Pramac Ducati pair of Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco lead the way in a 1-2 formation, with Ducati’s Jack Miller slotting in third from Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo and VR46 Ducati’s Marco Bezzecchi.
It wasn’t the best first run for Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia who was only ninth, with KTM’s Oliveira not running initially after making it in Q2 from Q1. The second run saw Bagnaia go fastest with a 1m29.775s lap, but not for long after Martin upped his pace.
He had a moment on one of his laps, but came back strong to retake top slot with a 1m29.692s lap. Out of nowhere, however, Bezzecchi did a 1m29.671s lap to secure MotoGP pole for the first time in his premier class in Thai GP at Buriram circuit.
It was a new lap record from Bezzecchi as Martin had to settle for second from Bagnaia, with Quartararo doing a fine job to be fourth. Having looked good all-through the weekend, Pramac’s Zarco was fifth from Gresini’s Enea Bastianini.
Miller was seventh after having issues with his bike since he did not return to the track for his second run. Marquez was eighth where he couldn’t improve due to a big moment on his final lap as VR6’s Luca Marini was ninth, Suzuki’s Alex Rins 10th from KTM pair of Oliveira and Brad Binder in the Top 12.
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Singapore GP: Sainz heads Leclerc in FP2 as Gasly’s car catches fire
Ferrari pair led the way in FP2 of F1 Singapore GP with Carlos Sainz ahead of Charles Leclerc, as George Russell was third.
The FP2 session under floodlights went rather smoothly in terms of stoppages in F1 Singapore GP. The session saw multiple offs for drivers including AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas and Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel.
All three barely escaped a touch from the wall, much like Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. Even Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had separate moments, while Gasly’s side of the airbox caught fire when he pitted.
The Frenchman jumped off the car immediately as the mechanics quickly doused it. He managed to do more laps post that but teammate Yuki Tsunoda’s session ended early due to a suspected engine issue, as the Ferrari pair led the way at the front.
Despite his moments, Sainz set the pace in FP2 in F1 Singapore GP with a 1m42.587s lap with teammate Charles Leclerc (1m42.795s) behind him. Mercedes’ Russell (1m42.911s) was third despite his moments, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (1m42.926s) was fourth.
The Dutchman did a very late quick lap but only managed fourth to be ahead of Mercedes’ Hamilton (1m43.182s). Alpine’s Esteban Ocon had a solid lap to be sixth with Fernando Alonso (1m43.520s) in eighth behind Alfa Romeo’s Bottas (1m43.431s).
Red Bull’s Perez (1m43.906s) was ninth from Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll (1m43.982s) in the Top 10, with McLaren’s Lando Norris only 11th. The other Aston Martin of Vettel was right behind in 12th from leading Haas and AlphaTauri of Kevin Magnussen and Gasly.
Alfa Romoe’s Zhou Guanyu was 15th from Williams’ Alexander Albon. AlphaTauri’s Tsunoda managed only 11th in 17th as McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo was a lowly 18th from Haas’ Mick Schumacher and Williams’ Nicholas Latifi.
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Singapore GP: Hamilton quicker in FP1 from Verstappen by 0.084s
Lewis Hamilton set the pace in FP1 of F1 Singapore GP by 0.084s from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
While the FP1 session in F1 Singapore GP is not the one which showcases how the weekend is to pan out, but with the Marina Bay circuit returning to the calendar after two years gap and under new regulations, the first session was as important as the other ones.
The drivers and teams needed this session to get used to the track again and be particular, with the likes of Mercedes’ George Russell and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll having some troubled times. The former managed to escape a major hit, but the latter didn’t.
He touched the wall and caused a red flag which ended his session early. Also, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz faced multiple moments as he chased a balanced set-up, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ran wide but managed to continue on without major issues.
It was Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton on pace in FP1 of F1 Singapore GP with a 1m43.033s lap, where he pushed Verstappen (1m43.117s) to second by 0.084s as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (1m43.435s) was third. The Monegasque had brake troubles early in the session.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez (1m43.839s) was fourth but had some trouble towards the end of the session from Russell (1m44.066s), with Sainz (1m44.138s) in sixth from Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (1m44.736s). Despite his crash, Stroll (1m45.221s) was eighth from AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly (1m45.258s) and Alpine’s Fernando Alonso (1m45.336s).
Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel slotted in 11th from the leading McLaren of Daniel Ricciardo in 12th ahead of the leading Alfa Romeo of Valtteri Bottas and the leading Haas of Kevin Magnussen, with AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda in 15th.
Williams’ Alexander Albon was 16th as he returned to F1 action after missing Italian GP, with Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu, Haas’ Mick Schumacher, McLaren’s Lando Norris and Williams’ Nicholas Latifi.
In terms of tyres, Stroll, Alonso, Vettel, Bottas and Guanyu set their best time on the medium tyres, where Norris was the driver who didn’t go for a fast lap as he carried the updates brought by McLaren and did co-relation work.
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MotoGP: Miller dominant in Japanese GP win as Bagnaia crashes out
Jack Miller dominated after climbing up the order to win MotoGP Japanese GP from Brad Binder and Jorge Martin.
Even before the start of MotoGP race in Japanese GP at Twin Ring Motegi, Aleix Espargaro pitted after the formation lap due to alarm bells on his #1 bike as he switched to the spare bike to join the grid at the back in dry conditions after rain on Saturday.
It was a clean start from pole for Honda’s Marc Marquez but KTM’s Brad Binder took the lead and was followed by Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin as the third leader of MotoGP Japanese GP, with Ducati’s Jack Miller climbing up to third.
Marquez was fourth from KTM’s Miguel Oliveira, with Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales in sixth from Pramac’s Johann Zarco, VR46 Ducati’s Luca Marini, Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo and Honda’s Pol Espargaro in the Top 10, with Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia in 12th.
At the front, it didn’t take long for Miller to pass Binder and Martin to lead the MotoGP Japanese GP. There was a brush with Martin while passing him, but it was enough to lead, as Oliveira passed Marquez and Binder to slot himself into third.
Vinales steadied in sixth from Zarco but there was a battle between Marini and Quartararo for eighth. The Frenchman passed the Italian to be eighth, but he came back on him to retake the place, with Espargaro holding of Bagnaia and Gresini Ducati’s Enea Bastianini.
The latter were fighting off each other for track position, but Bastianini eventually got the better of Bagnaia to be 10th after Zarco dropped to 14th. It was a clean MotoGP race mostly with the first retirement being Honda wildcard Tetsuta Nagashima after his crash.
At the front, Miller started to stretch his lead with Martin a steady second. Binder re-passed Oliveira for third with Marquez in fifth as Vinales fended off the charge from Marini in the battle for sixth. Quartararo was eighth as Batianini was ninth after passing both Espargaro and Bagnaia, who had VR6’s Marco Bezzecchi on his tail.
After Nagashima’s retirement, the other wildcard entrant Takuya Tsuda retired as well after his Suzuki bike caught a massive fire. RNF Yamaha’s Darryn Binder was the third retirement after having a minor crash going into left-hand corner.
The fourth one followed after Alex Rins’ retirement due to mechanical problems with his Suzuki. While Miller led the way comfortably, Martin came under pressure from Binder in the fight for second. Likewise, Oliveira came under pressure from Marquez behind.
Marini passed Vinales for sixth, as Quartararo was eighth from Bastianini who came under pressure from Bagnaia. In fact, the Ducati rider made the move on his future MotoGP teammate to take ninth, as Bezzecchi was 11th from Zarco and Espargaro.
LCR Honda’s Alex Marquez was 14th from Yamaha’s Franco Mobidelli in the Top 15, with Espargaro climbing back up to 17th being close to points. While Miller took a dominant MotoGP win in Japanese GP, teammate Bagnaia crashed out on the final lap.
He was trying a move on Quartararo on the inside at the left-hand corner, but slipped to not only crash but lose valuable championship points. The podium places saw Binder take second from Martin on the penultimate lap, with Marquez ending a good fourth.
Oliveira was fifth after fending off a late charge from Marini with Vinales in seventh from Quartararo, Bastianini, Bezzecchi, Zarco, Espargaro, Morbidelli and RNF’s Cal Crutchlow in the Top 15 points finishes, with Espargaro ending up 16th.
Gresini’s Fabio di Giannantonio was 17th from Tech 3 KTM pair of Raul Fernandez and Remy Gardner, with LCR’s Takaaki Nakagami managing to see the chequered flag in 20th.
DNF: Bagnaia, Rins, Binder, Tsuda, Nagashima
