INDIA in F1

Category: Moto GP

Moto GP, the Motorcycle World Championship

  • Zarco and Morbidelli split by just 0.021 in Barcelona

    Zarco and Morbidelli split by just 0.021 in Barcelona

    Action opens at Catalunya with two Independent Team riders on top, Quartararo on the chase… and fans back in the stands to enjoy the show!

    Catalunya, 4 June 2021: By the end of play on Friday at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, it’s Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) leading the way on the combined timesheets with a 1:39.235, but the Frenchman has some close company from Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) as the Italian end the day just 0.021 in arrears. Last year’s winner and Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) completes the top three, a tenth and a half down.

    Another key headline from the day was the return of fans to the grandstands. The event will be held with a maximum of 24,000 fans per day allowed in – 20% capacity – and the riders made sure to slow down and greet the crowd on the way back into pitlane.

    FP1
    The morning began with Morbidelli enjoying a similar gap to the top, the Italian opening the weekend only 0.024 in arrears, but it was to Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) in FP1. The Aprilia man hit back late to take over, with Morbidelli having otherwise led the majority of the session.

    0.373 was the gap back to Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) in third as he pipped Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), new crew chief alongside him, by just 0.002. Zarco, to begin the weekend, completed the top five – again by mere hundredths. Quartararo, Mugello podium finisher Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), reigning Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed the top ten as action began, with no crashes in the session.

    FP2
    The afternoon saw Morbidelli rise to the top early too, the Italian leading the way for half an hour mid-session before Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) took over. Next Zarco struck, Morbidelli hit back and finally, the French Pramac Racing rider nipped back into P1 by thousandths to end the session – and day – fastest.

    Quartararo took third from Binder, and Bagnaia moved up from P10 in FP1 to P5 in the afternoon. Viñales and Miller were next up, with rookie Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) putting in an impressive day at the office to take eighth. Aleix Espargaro was just six thousandths further back, and the gap to Pol Espargaro in P10? Zero. The two brothers from Granollers, which is right next to the track, set identical best laps.

    Combined timesheets
    All but one improved in the afternoon, so it’s Zarco, Morbidelli, Quartararo in the top three. Binder puts KTM in fourth as the Austrian factory continue their recent resurgence, with Bagnaia completing the top five. Viñales, Miller, Bastianini, Aleix and Pol Espargaro complete the top ten.

    That leaves Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) as the first looking to move forward in FP3 as the Japanese rider ends Friday in 11th, ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Red Bull KTM Tech3) as the Italian put in a solid performance ahead of Tech3 expecting to receive the new KTM chassis – possibly and/or probably – for the post-race test on Monday. Luca Marini (Sky VR46 Avintia) had a solid day in P13 despite a run off at Turn 4, able to rejoin with no big drama, with Oliveira shuffled down to P14. The Portuguese rider seems a likely threat for a move up the timesheets in FP3…

    Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was fifteenth, ahead of Mir as the reigning Champion plummeted down the order in the afternoon. Still, there’s plenty of time left to attack for Q2 on Saturday morning after he suffered a problem that denied him a full time attack on Friday.

    The only rider who didn’t improve was Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) as the Spaniard returns from injury.

    FP3 begins at 9:55 (GMT +2) as the grid push for an automatic place in Q2. Qualifying will then decide the grid from 14:10, with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya sure to deliver another show. Can Morbidelli do it again? We’ll find out on Saturday!

    MotoGP Friday’s Top-5:

    1 Johann Zarco* – Pramac Racing – Ducati – 1:39.235
    2 Franco Morbidelli* – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha –+0.021
    3 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – +0.166
    4 Brad Binder – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM – +0.427
    5 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – +0.525
    *Independent Team rider

    In INDIA, action from MotoGP Race will be LIVE on EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD on Saturday and Sunday.

    Qulifying: On Saturday: MotoGP from 16:00 Hrs (04:00 pm IST) onwards.

    On Sunday: MotoGP race : 4.30 pm IST;

    Other Races On Sunday: Moto2: 6pm IST; Moto3: 2.50pm IST; MotoE: 7.30pm IST

    The same will be live streamed on discovery + app.

  • It is a track that suits my style, says leader Quartararo

    It is a track that suits my style, says leader Quartararo

    Catalunya, 3 June 2021: MotoGP goes back-to-back this week and the grid is ready to take on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the 7th round of the MotoGP World Championship. On Thursday, in the pre-event Press Conference, Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was joined by closest challenger and top Independent Team rider Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing), reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), fellow Mugello podium finisher Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) returning from injury, eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and newly-signed 2022 MotoGP™ rider Remy Gardner, currently the Moto2™ World Championship leader with Red Bull KTM Ajo.

    Injured Rins to miss Catalan Grand Prix

    A cycling accident at the track on Thursday caused the Spaniard to suffer a fractured radius, surgery to follow on Friday

    Here are some key quotes:

    Fabio Quartararo: “It’s a track that I really like, even in Moto3 I was riding well, Moto2 I got my first win and yeah the last two years here in MotoGP were really great, one podium and one win. It’s a track that suits my style really well and yeah, let’s try to make a great race weekend.

    “Last year was tough because the front feeling wasn’t there and I was struggling so much. From the Qatar test I found the feeling back, let’s say from 2019, that was missing last year. Also last year was really irregular. Some tracks I was fast, arriving to Valencia where I was so fast in 2019 was a disaster. This year it looks like in every single track I have this feeling, so yes, they made a massive improvement compared to last year. The front start device, I’ve been pushing from Qatar. We know that if we are not making a great start t’s tough for us to make an overtake, if there’s one or two riders in front it’s not so bad but a soon as we’re in the group then it’s so difficult. They did a great job, our first start at Mugello was great, and every time we can see we have a little bit of improvement. Thanks to them, they made a great job.”

    Johann Zarco: “I was pleased with the fourth position in Mugello, I could have done an extra push and try to get the podium but I was really limited, but at least when I did this push, three laps to the end, I saved this fourth position and it was a good operation because to have second in the Championship is always interesting. Now coming to Catalunya, with the announcement of the new contract it is nice. I didn’t have any added pressure not knowing the future, but with a nice result and nice relationship we have with Pramac, I was confident staying focused would being good things for the future. That’s why we can start here, I’m happy to have a race one week after Mugello, I got a good feeling following Fabio and I could see some interesting things that I can try to work on immediately. If I can get a good feeling again I will have a chance to do a nice race on Sunday.”

    On Remy:
    “I think we can always have nice surprise because with MotoGP, if you can understand it quickly, now we know the KTM can work pretty well, and the team knows what he needs to do. I think he is the kind of guy who can enjoy it and make a surprise like Jorge in Qatar. I’m sure if understands everything well, he will be fast. As he said, he is looking forward to testing the bike but I think we will see he can adapt pretty quick and what he is doing in Moto2 is a nice construction of being fast. He was struggling, got some crashes, but now he has the consistency to win races and lead the Championship, so that’s perfect for him.”

    Joan Mir: “Looking forward to starting here in Catalunya, it’s a track that is closest to home so it’s a home GP for me. Last year the Suzuki worked pretty well here, both riders were on the podium so it means the bike has potential. It’s track I normally enjoy a lot, I have the extra confidence from the podium at Mugello, it was a great weekend for us and I will try to repeat it here.  

    “We plan a strategy at the beginning of the year, the first tracks that were coming were not the best ones for our bike, our package, riding style, I don’t know. We said if we could stay close to the top for the second part of the season to fight for the title it would be great. I think we are following the correct steps to be able to fight at the end of the season for the championship. it’s true that Fabio is doing a great job, the Ducatis improved a lot compared to last year and we are trying to be there. It’s a nice fight, I will try to build more speed, be more consistent on the podium and fighting for victories, at the end this is what you need to fight for the title..”

    Miguel Oliveira: “Confident for sure, that the podium always gives us this special feeling before we come into a race weekend. Especially when it’s like this, so close together, back to back. We did a good job in Mugello and we think that the steps that we made there forward can also help us here, so that’s what we are hoping for coming into the weekend is also try to finish on a high on Sunday and have a good performance. 

    On Remy:
    “Yeah first of all a great team, Tech 3 was home for me for two seasons and just a great group of people working there. Also, the environment is quite nice, that he probably already knows from Moto2. I mean it’s much nicer package this new bike than what I encountered in 2019, plus with this challenge of being a new team for KTM to support, so it was a bit too much at the same time, but now I think you know it’s on flight mode now and it’s quite it’s quite nice, everything is running smooth and I think he’s going to enjoy riding the bike like this, so I wish him the best of luck!”

    Jorge Martin: “It’s been a long month for me, really tough. I’ve been working a lot during all this time trying to get recovered as soon as possible. My target was to come back for Mugello but we know that it’s not the best track to come back. It is really physically demanding, and yeah, I could see the bikes moving a lot and shaking so I thought it was better to come here, and yeah, finally I could achieve this and hopefully I can do a great weekend here. I don’t have any target about results, just try to get some confidence to make laps and hopefully we can do a great job. 

    Marc Marquez: “It will be the first time we have fans at the circuit so it will be nice, I think step by step it will be the future and it’s the way we must follow. Mugello has been difficult for me, as have all weekends since I’ve been back. But anyway, we will see. Here we will try to do another step our way, try to continue in our process and let’s see if we can improve. Especially the feeling, the result doesn’t matter, because finishing 8th, 10th or 12th won’t change my life but improving the feeling will be important.  

    “When you come back it’s because you feel more or less ready to ride the bike. What surprised me most is how demanding MotoGP bikes are. Sometimes when you’re at home for a long time, you forget a bit how demanding they are physically. What surprised me more is you can feel ready in the gym, but then as soon as you ride the MotoGP there are many forces, like lateral forces, where in the gym you can’t do it. I was able to ride a street bike for many laps but MotoGP bike I still can’t ride 5 laps in an aggressive way, that was my riding style. This is what, sometimes when you’re at home for a long time you forget how demanding. But they’re the best bikes in the world, with the best riders in the world, and you need to be 100% in every aspect if you want to fight for podiums and victories.”

    Remy Gardner: “I mean obviously, for me it’s a dream come true you know it’s been many years fighting to reach the MotoGP class and yeah, it hasn’t been easy but in the end it looks like I made it, so yeah, for sure, I can’t wait to ride the beast but at the moment we still need to keep the focus on the job you know which is fighting for the Championship. 

    Have the rumours about the deal affected his focus?
    “I think it didn’t really affect me, I didn’t really believe it until it was signed pen and paper, so yeah, at the moment nothing really changes, still got to keep pushing and still got plenty of races to go… so got to keep the focus!”

    That’s it from Thursday! Free Practice revs up on Friday morning, before MotoGP brings the noise in Barcelona at the earlier time of IST 4.30 PM.

    Action from MotoGP Race will be LIVE on EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD on Saturday and Sunday.

    Qulifying: On Saturday: MotoGP from 16:00 Hrs (04:00 pm IST) onwards.

    On Sunday: MotoGP race : 4.30 pm IST;

    On Sunday: Moto2: 6pm IST; Moto3: 2.50pm IST; MotoE: 7.30pm IST

    The same will be live streamed on discovery + app.

  • Can anyone stop Quartararo at Catalunya?

    Can anyone stop Quartararo at Catalunya?

    Barcelona has been happy hunting ground for the Frenchman, but the grid are reset and reloaded to try and derail his roll

    Catalunya (Spain), 2 June 2021: Not since 2016 have Yamaha won at Mugello, but Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) put in a stunner last time out to take back to the top step and make it four Yamaha wins in the first six for the first time since that very same year. Joining him on the podium, for the first time since 2014 at the Italian track, there was no Ducati. The form book took a twist and instead it was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Miguel Oliveira putting the cherry on top of an impressive weekend for the Austrian factory, and reigning Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) getting back on the rostrum. Now, as the paddock heads for Catalunya – and a new Turn 10 – what can we expect?

    As ever… Quartararo. The Frenchman won last year at the venue despite a late charge from a Suzuki train headed by Mir, and it’s where he was on pole as a rookie and took his first premier class podium. Now recovered from arm pump surgery and back to his best, the Frenchman must surely arrive as favourite. But teammate Maverick Viñales, who said they lost their way with the bike somewhat on his side of the garage after his stunner in Qatar, will be aiming to stem the flow of momentum and get back alongside el Diablo at the front, and Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) will be looking for a less dramatic start to his race to claw back his impressive earlier form in 2021 too. And can Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) get further into that top ten?

    2020 at the track plus a podium last time out teases that the biggest threat may be Mir, however. Both he and Team Suzuki Ecstar teammate Alex Rins had some serious speed at Mugello, and the reigning Champion and his teammate completed the podium in Barcelona last year. Are we now on to the promised better venues Mir cited earlier in the season? And are we about to see that same metronomic brilliance at slicing through to the front appear week in week out? 

    Rins, meanwhile, is more a man looking for redemption. After speed and progress to the front in the last few, crashes have then ended the Spaniard’s races and he’s left with a mountain to climb. Having shown how fast he is in the latter stages of 2020, if Rins can stay on he’ll be another name to automatically add to the podium fight… and that added to his rostrum at the venue last year.

    At KTM though, the trajectory is already back on the up after an incredibly impressive charge in Italy. The Austrian factory didn’t come out the blocks swinging with the same armoury as 2020 earlier this year, but it surely would only have been a matter of time… and Mugello says yes. It was not only another podium, but also another top five for the second KTM across the line as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) equalled his best of the year so far despite never having ridden Mugello in MotoGP™ before. A new chassis and some serious juice were on show as Binder even equalled the top speed record too… where will they shuffle into the fight in Barcelona? Can that form continue?

    Ducati, meanwhile, arrive from a slightly more muted weekend. It was supposed to be their turf at Mugello, but with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashing out early on after having been the fastest Borge Panigale machine, it was left to Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) to pick up the baton. And he put on a real show duelling Quartararo early on, before then just slipping from the podium places into fourth. He’s second in the standings, however, and is always a threat. His teammate Jorge Martin also returns from injury this weekend, so that’ll be something to keep an eye on in the Pramac garage.

    So what of Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team)? The Queenslander can’t be counted out either, despite a more solid Italian GP compared to his stunners preceding it. But he was happy with good points and being near the front to the finish, with a record at Mugello that hadn’t been kind. Will Barcelona see Miller bring it back to the fight for the podium?

    At Honda, that fight for the podium remains the goal. After some impressive pace at times, it’s not fully come together yet in 2021, although Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) has been fourth, equalling his best. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) remains under the microscope as the eight-time World Champion continues his return, teammate Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) is still finding his feet and Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) hasn’t quite had the form shown last year yet. For all three though, it’s familiar and true home turf… and they’ve got some impressive CVs at the venue. Can they reset and impress once again at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya?

    Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, meanwhile, continue their roll in 2021, with Aleix Espargaro leading the charge. And last time out may have been home turf for the factory, but this time it’s home turf for him as he hails from right next to the track. With a good record there and continued momentum, what can the Noale factory do in Barcelona?

    The gap for Quartararo in the points is now more substantial, but it’s not yet a whole race win. So one Grand Prix is all that that could turn it on its head. Will that happen in Barcelona or will the Frenchman continue his catch me if you can? We’ll find out in the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, with lights out for the MotoGP race at the earlier time of 13:00 (GMT +2). that is 4.30 pm IST.

    MotoGP races are telecast live in India by Eurosport:

    Sunday: MotoGP race : 4.30 pm IST; Moto2: 6pm IST; Moto3: 2.50pm IST; MotoE: 7.30pm IST

    MotoGP Standings Top-5:

    1 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – 105
    2 Johann Zarco* – Pramac Racing – Ducati – 81
    3 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 79
    4 Jack Miller – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 74
    5 Joan Mir – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – 65
    *Independent Team rider

  • Quartararo takes emotional win to extend his lead

    Quartararo takes emotional win to extend his lead

    KTM and Suzuki complete the podium after a close race to lock out the top five on a difficult day in Italy

    Mugello, 30 May 2021: Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo claimed a commanding and emotional victory at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, extending his Championship lead to 24 points. A minute of silence was held on the grid in memory of Moto3™ rider Jason Dupasquier, and Quartararo dedicated his victory to the Swiss rider.

    Swiss Flag

    The riders took the Swiss flag onto the podium in memory of Dupasquier as MotoGP™ sends our deepest condolences to all those he leaves behind.

    MotoGP™ will be back on track at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next weekend.

    Oliveira, Mir complete podium

    Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) completed the Mugello podium as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashed out on Lap 2.

    Quartararo’s new front start device worked well off the line as the polesitter managed to keep Bagnaia at bay until the braking zone, when the Italian dived up the inside to lead. Pecco then led the way as the riders settled into the race, but the Ducati rider then tucked the front at Turn 9 on Lap 2. Quartararo was handed the lead, but he wasn’t able to escape quickly as compatriot Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) duelled the Yamaha.

    Eventually, Quartararo broke the slipstream heading onto Lap 5 after making good progress on the twisty part of the circuit, and from there, the Yamaha was able to edge clear of Zarco in second place. By Lap 11 Quartararo’s lead was up to 2.7s and comfortably lapping in the 1:47s, the Yamaha rider was in a league of his own at Mugello and took a third win of the season by 2.5s.

    After battling with Quartararo in the early laps, Zarco was forced to focus on keeping Oliveira behind him thereafter. The two Team Suzuki Ecstar riders – Mir and Alex Rins – had trouble making passes stick on Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) too just behind, Ducati power enabling the Australian to overtake Mir and Rins on the straight. Eventually though, the Suzukis got through and both got into the podium fight.

    With eight laps remaining, Oliveira moved past Zarco for the first time at Turn 11 to take P2. Exactly the same manoeuvre was produced by Mir a lap later as the reigning World Champion picked up P3, and he crucially also held Zarco at bay into Turn 1. Rins then pounced with six laps to go as Zarco was shuffled back to P5, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Miller and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) close behind.

    Rins crashes

    With five to go, Rins then crashed out at the final corner from fourth place, a fourth DNF in a row for the Spaniard. Oliveira was able to just fend off Mir, although it was close and initially track limits came into play – but both had exceeded them every-so-slightly. Zarco missed out by just under a second in fourth, although he latter does move up to P2 in the standings though, 24 points behind Quartararo.

    The Point Scorers

    Binder gave KTM a double top five at the Italian GP and claims his equal best finish of the season despite never having raced in the premier class at Mugello before, and Miller comes home P6. Aleix Espargaro impressed again to pick up a P7, with Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) taking the chequered flag in P8 after his difficult qualifying in P13. 2019 Mugello winner Danilo Petrucci (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) was ninth to earn his second top 10 in a row, with Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) completing the top 10 on home soil.

    Iker Lecuona (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing), Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team), Michele Pirro (Pramac Racing), Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) and Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) were the final points scorers.

    Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) crashed at Turn 3 on Lap 2 unhurt, but forced Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) into the gravel, the Italian rejoining down the order. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) also crashed out of the race late on at Turn 13. Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) crashed on the way to the grid after hitting the rear of Zarco’s bike, riders ok.

    MotoGP top-10:

    1. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)

    2. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) + 2.592

    3. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) + 3.000

    4. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) + 3.535

    5. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) + 4.903

    6. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) + 6.233

    7. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) + 8.030

    8. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) + 17.239

    9. Danilo Petrucci (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) + 23.296

    10. Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) + 25.146

    All the action from MotoGP will continue on EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD with the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya. The qualifying race is on Saturday, 5th June and the main race is on Sunday, 6th June 2021. The same will also be live streamed on discovery + app.

    Top Independent Team rider
    4 –  Johann Zarco – Pramac Racing – Ducati – +3.535
  • Gardner beats Fernandez on the last lap for first win of 2021

    Gardner beats Fernandez on the last lap for first win of 2021

    The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders duel for victory as Lowes crashes out and Bezzecchi completes the podium

    Mugello, 30 May 2021: Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took his first win of 2021 in the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, crossing the line millimetres ahead of teammate Raul Fernandez after passing the rookie earlier on the last lap. It’s the second closest finish in Moto2 history. Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) completed the podium after Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) was demoted a position for exceeding track limits on the final lap in their fight, and Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) crashed out from second. 

    The two Red Bull KTM Ajo riders were 1-2 from the off as Fernandez took the holeshot and Gardner moved up into second, and Lowes dropping a few places. Fernandez then began to get his head down and slowly streak clear of Gardner, with Lowes clawing his way back up to the back wheel of the Australian. The trio had stretched clear of the chasing pack, and the Brit passed Gardner for P2 on Lap 10 after a quality exchange between the two.

    Fernandez’s lead was up to 1.9s at one point, but Lowes and Gardner reeled the rookie in, with the number 22 getting to within 0.8s. Then a costly crash at Turn 8 ended Lowes’ race with six laps to go. Gardner kept homing in though and with three laps remaining, it was clear the Australian would be able to create a chance against his teammate. On the last lap, Gardner struck at Turn 10 and fended off Fernandez on the drag to the line to win his first race of 2021, extending his lead to six points ahead of Round 7.

    Bezzecchi’s podium is his third in a row, and one that keeps him P3 in the title race. Roberts was disappointed with P4 after crossing the line third, but it was a great ride from the American. Marcel Schrötter’s (Liqui Moly Intact GP) fifth place is his best finish of the year, rookies Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Tony Arbolino (Liqui Moly Intact GP) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) – from 26th on the grid – claim impressive results in P6, P7 and P8 respectively.

    Hafizh Syahrin (NTS RW Racing GP) took P9 in the Malaysian’s best result of the season and NTS’ second best result ever, and Stefano Manzi (Flexbox HP40) rounded out the top 10. Aron Canet (Kipin Energy Aspar Team) only just held off incredible debutant Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) as they took P11 and P12, with Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP40), Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) completing the points.

    The Moto2 riders will be back in action next weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

    Moto2 Podium: 1.  Remy Gardner– Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 39:17.667
    2 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +0.014
    3 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – +8.021

  • Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquie passes away

    Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquie passes away

    Mugello (Italy), 30 May 2021 : Following a serious incident in the Moto3 Qualifying 2 session at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley on Saturday, it is with great sadness that we report the passing of Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier.

    INDIAinF1.com expresses its deep condolences to the bereaved family, friends and team members of the talented and upcoming Swiss rider.

    Dupasquier was involved in a multi-rider incident between Turns 9 and 10, with the session Red Flagged thereafter. FIM Medical Intervention Vehicles arrived at the site immediately and the Swiss rider was attended to on track before being transferred by medical helicopter, in a stable state, to Careggi Hospital in Florence.

    Despite the best efforts of circuit medical staff and all those subsequently attending to the Swiss rider, the hospital has announced that Dupasquier has sadly succumbed to his injuries.

    Dupasquier had made an impressive start to his second season in the lightweight class of Grand Prix racing, consistently scoring points and within the top ten in the standings.

    The FIM, IRTA, MSMA and Dorna Sports pass on our deepest condolences to Dupasquier’s family, friends, team and loved ones.

  • Quartararo makes it four in a row with pole and a lap record at Mugello

    Quartararo makes it four in a row with pole and a lap record at Mugello

    Bagnaia and Zarco give chase, with Aprilia and KTM both right up in the mix on Saturday

    Mugello, 29 May 2021: Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) put in a stunner for pole position at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, the Frenchman reporting it was one of his best ever laps as he broke the all-time lap record at Mugello with a 1:45.187. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was his closest challenger on the final push but was forced to settle for second, with Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) taking third in a last lunge; once again top Independent Team rider. That means it’s the Championship top three on the front row on Sunday… with back to-back winner Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) looking for a good launch from fifth.

    Fabio Quartararo: “This morning when I did a 45.6 and I saw Pecco was two tenths faster, I thought wow in qualifying we could get close to 44s. And yes. The first run I made a mistake on my first lap, and I feel the first lap on the tyre is good with our bike. Probably one of my best laps of all time, but I want to dedicate it to Jason. I hope we will have good news coming.”

    Q1
    After a crash in the latter stages of FP3, Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) found himself down in Q1 and early on, the Spaniard showed his frustration to Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) as the two ended up on the same bit of track and the Spaniard on a fast lap. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) then tried to follow the number 12 for a tow despite Viñales’ remonstrations, and it worked as Viñales improved and Marquez even more so tucked in behind.

    That put Marquez as the rider leading the way, and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) managed to push Viñales down to third and outside the graduation zone. The Yamaha rider was then on course to top the session on his final lap, but he rolled out of it despite red sectors and that leaves him down in P13 on the grid as Marc Marquez and Aleix Espargaro moved through.

    Q2
    Q2 fired up not long after and Quartararo was the man to beat by seven minutes in, the Frenchman on top after the first runs. Heading back out for their final shot at pole, it was again the number 20 setting the timing screens alight too. Nearly half a second clear after his final lap, the Championship leader then had to wait it out to see if anyone could better his best…

    Aleix Espargaro was second at the time, with Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in third as KTM continued to impress. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) kept that rolling too as he then split the two for a provisional third.

    There was more to come. With Yamaha having been mighty through most the track but Ducati often enjoying the edge in the final sector, Bagnaia, Zarco and Miller seemed on course to challenge Quartararo half way round each of their laps. But at the next timing point it seemed the polesitter was set as Bagnaia dropped some tenths, then Miller and then Zarco, with too much left to make up on the Frenchman over the latter half of the lap. Still, given Quartararo’s advantage, the front row remained very much up for grabs and Bagnaia was first to take it, moving into second and cutting the advantage to only a couple of tenths.

    What could Miller do? It was a solid effort but not enough to challenge his teammate, and the Austrlian could only manage fifth as he crossed the line. Zarco was tucked in right behind him, however, and the Pramac Racing rider shot from last in the session to third.

    The Grid 
    Quartararo therefore starts the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley from pole, with Bagnaia and Zarco alongside. Aleix Espargaro improved on his final effort but just misses out on the front row and will instead head the second for Aprilia on home turf.

    Miller joins him there in the middle of Row 2, and with the Ducatis’ starts so far this season could still be in with a chance at the holeshot, even from there. Binder wasn’t able to quite improve on his final effort but he completes the second row in more fantastic form from KTM, who also equalled the all-time top speed record in MotoGP™ on Saturday morning with Binder. The South African has also never ridden in MotoGP™ before at this track, as the last visit was in 2019.

    KTM teammate Oliveira also impressed as he takes seventh to head up Row 3, with both Suzukis alongside. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) is eighth and teammate and reigning Champion Joan Mir in ninth, the former showing good speed all weekend and the latter making it into Q2 directly for only the second time in 2021 – so it’s a little less work to do on race day.

    Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) takes tenth, ahead of Marc Marquez and the his Respol Honda teammate Pol Espargaro.

    Viñales is next up in P13, ahead of an impressive step forward on Saturday for top rookie Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) in 14th. He pipped Takaaki Nakagami as the Japanese rider lost out in Q1, set to start 15th.

    Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) had a tough qualifying, the ‘Doctor’ set to start P19.

    The Championship top three are the top three on the grid, back-to-back winner Miller has been a lightning starter and Viñales faces a fight back through the field. What will race day at Mugello bring for MotoGP™? Find out at 14:00 (GMT +2) on Sunday.

    MotoGP Front Row:

    1 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – 1:45.187
    2 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – +0.230
    3 Johann Zarco* – Pramac Racing – Ducati – +0.245
    *Independent Team rider

  • Fernandez goes back-to-back with pole: Moto2

    Fernandez goes back-to-back with pole: Moto2

    The rookie sensation does it again to head Lowes and Navarro as rain threatens Moto2 Q2

    Mugello, 29 May 2021: After taking his maiden pole at Le Mans, Moto2™ rookie Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) has done it again and with a new lap record at Mugello, despite rain threatening for the intermediate class. A few drops fell here and there but Fernandez nevertheless bettered the previous best, with Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) in second and Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up), just like on Friday, the closest challenger to the two title contenders.

    Raul Fernandez: “I’m really happy to be here again, today the bike was incredible but the important thing isn’t the pole position, it’s Jason. I want to give my support to him, his family, and friends, that’s the improtant thing today.”

    Q1
    The star of Q1 was most definitely Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) and not just because he was fastest, but because it’s his first weekend on a Triumph-powered Moto2™ machine, his first race weekend at Mugello and his first World Championship appearance. The 16-year-old moved through to Q2 on first asking, and was joined by Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Marcos Ramirez (American Racing) and Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team).

    Q2
    Despite drops of rain coming down at parts of the track, the stage remained set, somehow, for Fernandez to shine. Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) was the first fastest rider out there, but it only lasted seconds as Fernandez hit back. From there Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Championship leader Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had brief stints fastest, but Lowes was the man able to depose and hold onto provisional pole the longest.

    Not until the end of the session, however. Fernandez was on a roll and the rookie then slammed in his new lap record, looking to go even faster after that. But the raindrops saw some laps slip away, and it’s his 1:50.723 that becomes the fastest ever Moto2™ lap of Mugello. Lowes takes second as he and the Spaniard continue their duel this weekend, with Navarro, once again, the closest on the chase.

    The Grid
    Fernandez and Lowes launch from P1 and P2 respectively, with Navarro locking out the front row in a near mirror of the Friday timesheets. Gardner heads Row 2 ahead of home hero Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), with Tony Arbolino’s (Liqui Moly Intact GP) form going nowhere as the rookie takes sixth.

    Marco Bezzecchi will want more from Sunday as he heads up the third row of the grid in P7, ahead of Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP). Joe Roberts will be another who expected more from Saturday as he’ll start 10th.

    Roberts’ teammate Lorenzo Dalla Porta takes an impressive step forward to 11th, ahead of Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), Ramirez and Aldeguer, who starts his first ever Moto2™ World Championship race from 15th.

    That’s it from Saturday, can Fernandez take the points lead on Sunday as his roll of form continues? Find out at 12:20 (GMT +2).

    Moto2 Front Row:

    1 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – 1:50.723
    2 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – +0.267
    3 Jorge Navarro – MB Conveyors Speed Up – Bocoscuro – +0.374

  • Suzuki half a second clear for pole: Moto3

    Suzuki half a second clear for pole: Moto3

    The Japanese rider pulls clear of Acosta and Rodrigo on Saturday

    Mugello, 29 May 2021: Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) went from Q1 to pole in qualifying at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, pulling out more than half a second ahead of Championship leader and rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Nevertheless that’s Acosta’s first front row after he also came through Q1, with Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) third fastest.

    Earlier in a serious crash a Moto3 rider was airlifted to hospital. “Rider number 50 Jason Dupasquier was involved in a very serious crash during Qualifying 2 of Moto3. The FIM Medical Team arrived immediately on the site of the accident. After that he was transferred, in a hemodynamically stable way, to Careggi Hospital in Florence. We will wait for further updates from the hospital,” MotoGP™ FIM Medical Officer Giancarlo Di Filippo said in a statement.

    Q1
    Suzuki was fastest after the first runs and beat his own best to top the session, with Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) taking second in the session and Acosta getting more to grips with Mugello to take third. Veteran Italian Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3) was fourth, moving through to fight for pole.

    Q2
    Acosta led the way early before Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) took over, and Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) was the next man on top. Rodrigo came to the fore with some more impressive one-lap pace and held provisional pole before the final push, but as the clock ticked down there remained some fast riders about to play their cards.

    Together on track, both Acosta and Suzuki were on to take over. And over the line, the Spaniard briefly – very briefly – flashed up to first, but as Suzuki slammed over the line the goalposts changed. Over half a second clear, he was a single thousandth off the 1:55s.

    The session the concluded with a serious incident involving Jason Dupasquier (CarXpert PrüstelGP), Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Jeremy Alcoba. Dupasquier was attended to on track before being airlifted to hospital in Florence. Sasaki and Alcoba are both ok.

    More updates will be provided as soon as available.

    The Grid
    Suzuki lines up from pole with Championship leader Acosta alongside, the Spaniard looking to extend his already record-breaking points advantage even further. Rodrigo will be aiming for his second podium with his second front row start of the year.

    Dennis Foggia’s (Leopard Racing) Mugello form continues as he heads up Row 2, with Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Alcoba joining him on the second row in fifth and sixth respectively. A veteran third row sees Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), Antonelli and John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) in seventh, eighth and ninth, with Sasaki completing the top ten.

    Le Mans winner Sergio Garcia (Valresa GASGAS Aspar Team) was 14th quickest ahead of Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and 2019 winner at Mugello Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team), all of whom will be looking to move forward on Sunday.

    Tatsuki Suzuki: “I had good confidence from yesterday afternoon so I just needed to concentrate to make a good time from Q1 to Q2. That time in Q1 made me more confident, so I just needed another lap on the pace and I’m really happy.” 

    Tune in as Moto3™ take on Mugello at 11:00 (GMT +2) local time.

    Moto3 Front Row:

    1 Tatsuki Suzuki – SIC58 Squadra Corse – Honda – 1:56.001
    2 Pedro Acosta – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM – +0.596
    3 Gabriel Rodrigo – Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3 – Honda – +0.684

  • Bagnaia denies Rins by just 0.071 as action opens at Mugello

    Bagnaia denies Rins by just 0.071 as action opens at Mugello

    Ducati lead Suzuki lead Yamaha, with KTM stealing some of the spotlight in hot pursuit on Day 1

    Mugello, 28 May 2021: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) is the man to beat after Day 1 of the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, the Italian just pipping Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) to the top by 0.071 by the end of play. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) continued impressing to lock out the top three and end Friday as the top Independent Team rider, with a sunny day’s work at the stunning Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello welcoming MotoGP™ back to Italy.

    FP1
    The first man at the top was Ducati test rider and, this weekend, Pramac Racing replacement rider Michele Pirro as the Italian was fastest out the box. From there though, Yamaha started to put the hammer down as Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and teammate Fabio Quartararo traded fast laps, pretty close together on track to boot. A new front start device was also spotted on Iwata marque machinery Day 1.

    Alex Rins enjoyed a brief stint at the top before Viñales then hit back, the number 12 eventually ending FP1 two tenths clear of Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing). Rins was third ahead of teammate and reigning Champion Joan Mir, with Morbidelli 0.008 further back and Bagnaia only a further 0.002 in arrears.

    No one crashed in the session, but Rins did have a run off at Arrabbiata 1, getting straight back onto the track.

    FP2
    In the afternoon, KTM stole a few headlines. A new chassis first spotted by pitlane reporter Simon Crafar at the Jerez Test was spotted again as the day began, and FP2 saw a show of serious form from the Austrian factory. Bagnaia was fastest first for Ducati, but the Italian was soon deposed by Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) hit the top next before Oliveira returned the favour, the Portuguese rider then beating his own best to stay fastest a lap later. And there he stayed for more than half an hour, before the final push – with an eye on Q2 – got underway.

    That’s when Rins struck to lead the way, but Bagnaia hit back on his last lap of the day to go fastest by less than a tenth. Morbidelli slotted into third, with Quartararo making his way back up to fourth. Binder had one of his best efforts scrubbed for track limits, but the South African was able to get the job done on take two to complete the top five – just pipping his teammate by the flag as the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing form held firm in the face of a concerted onslaught from the rest, taking fifth and sixth.

    Once again, no one crashed in the session, although Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) had an excursion at Turn 1, the ‘Doctor’ able to rejoin.

    Combined timesheets
    The majority improved in the afternoon, with the top seven in FP2 – Bagnaia, Rins, Morbidelli, Quartararo, Binder, Oliveira and, in seventh, top Honda Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) – the top seven overall. Eighth place on the combined times is FP1’s fastest man Maverick Viñales, with the Spaniard’s best in the morning his best overall and absolutely identical to that of Nakagami in FP2.

    Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) ends Day 1 in ninth place, with Jerez and Le Mans winner Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) down in tenth and the second Ducati on the timesheets at a venue many would consider to be increasingly their turf. Miller voiced some frustrations over traffic in FP2 however, something that could mean there’s a fair bit more to come in FP3.

    Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) is the first looking to reiterate Ducati’s recent dominance in Mugello and move up the timesheets in FP3 as he finds himself a tenth outside the Q2 graduation zone on Friday, and by only a tenth. He was the second rider to not improve in the afternoon, along with Viñales.

    Reigning Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) ends the day down in P12, just ahead of returning eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) as the latter takes on one of the fastest and most physical challenges of the season. They’ll want to put in a push in FP3, as will Valentino Rossi after a tough day on the timesheets for the ‘Doctor’ down in P21.

    That’s it from Friday, with the weather in Tuscany looking a little more stable than that in Le Mans and FP3 likely to give the field a chance to push forward. Tune in for that, before qualifying from 14:10 (GMT +2).

    MotoGP – Friday’s top-five:

    1 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 1:46.147
    2 Alex Rins – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – +0.071
    3 Franco Morbidelli* – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha –+0.184
    4 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – +0.225
    5 Brad Binder – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM – +0.289
    *Independent Team rider

    Action from  MotoGP Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley Qualifying Race will be LIVE in India on EUROSPORT and EUROSPORT HD from 16:00 Hrs (04:00 pm IST) onwards on Saturday, 29th March 2021. The same will also be live streamed on discovery.

    Qualification: 5.35 pm IST =17.35 to 18.20;

    Sunday Main MotoGP race: 5.25 pm to 6.40 IST