INDIA in F1

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  • Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm: Mishra, Rana locked in close battle; Santosh consolidates lead after Leg 2

    Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm: Mishra, Rana locked in close battle; Santosh consolidates lead after Leg 2

    File Photo. Anand Philar

    Jaisalmer, March 21: Abhishek Mishra and co-driver Venu Ramesh Kumar moved to the front among four-wheelers while CS Santosh extended his domination in the two-wheeler category at the end of Leg 2 on Tuesday night in the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm, India’s premier cross-country rally.

    Mishra, who trailed defending champion and Maruti Suzuki Motorsport’s Suresh Rana (co-driver PV Srinivas Murthy) by 33 seconds at the end of Leg 1 in Bikaner on Monday night, not only made up the deficit but also jumped to a 38-second lead to set up a titanic clash for honours.

    In contrast, Santosh of the Dakar fame, stamped his authority and class in the two-wheeler section by extending his overnight lead by over two minutes, going into the third day of the event in Rajasthan’s Thar desert.

    Trailing Santosh were two Angata Racing team pair of Aaron mare and Sanjay Kumar. The duo finished Leg 2 ahead of TVS Racing mates Santolino Lorenzo and Tanveer Abdul Waheed while Ashish Raorane completed the top six.

    It is still early days in the Desert Storm as the toughest part of the cross-country race is yet to come with a couple of long Stages, including a night run, scheduled as the competitors headed into Jaisalmer where the remainder of the rally will be run before it concludes later this week.

    Provisional classification (Xtreme, After Leg 2):

    4 Wheelers (Overall): 1. Abhishek Mishra / Venu Ramesh Kumar (T1 class) (03hrs, 44mins, 07secs); 2. Suresh Rana / PV Srinivas Murthy (Maruti Suzuki Motorsport, T1) (03:44:45); 3. Raj Singh Rathore / Sagar Mallappa (T2) (03:53:11); 4. Gaurav Chirpal / Srikanth Gowda (T1) (04:01:05); 5. Samrat Yadav / Syed Najeeb Nizami (Maruti Suzuki Motorsport, T1) (04:09:10); 6. Sandeep Sharma / Karan Arya (Maruti Suzuki Motorsport, T1) (04:10:05).

    4 Wheelers (T2): 1. Rathore / Mallappa (03:53:11); 2. Himanshu Arora / Kunal Kashyap (Harjee Motorsport) (04:13:27); 3. Niju Padia / Nirav Mehta (Desert Raiders) (04:15:41).

    Moto (2W): 1. CS Santosh (Group A) (03:03:06); 2. Aaron Mare (Angata Racing, Gr A) (03:05:20); 3. Sanjay Kumar (Angata Racing, Gr A) (03:21:27); 4. Santolino Lorenzo (TVS Racing, Gr A) (03:27:01); 5. Tanveer Abdul Waheed (TVS Racing, Gr A) (03:27:28); 6. Ashish Raorane (Gr A) (03:56:10).

    Group B (Up to 250cc): 1. Rajendra RE (TVS Racing) (04:10:31); 2. Imran Pasha (TVS Racing) (04:32:42); 3. Santosh Vishnoi (05:47:19). Gr B (250-500cc): 1. Virendra Waghela (04:53:55); 2. Neeraj Samrath N (05:56:17); 3. Rajeev Wadhwa (07:03:38).

    Group C (165-250cc): 1. Yuva Kumar (04:42:08). Above 260cc: 1. Mohan Lal Sharma (05:01:51). Gr C (130-165cc): 1. Rajesh Jangid (05:58:34). Gr C (165-210cc): 1. Deepak Naidu (06:17:38). Quad (Group D): 1. Anand Sharma (06:24:51).

  • Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm: CS Santosh, Suresh Rana in the lead after Leg 1

    Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm: CS Santosh, Suresh Rana in the lead after Leg 1

    CS Santosh…..on a charge. File photo – Anand Philar

    Bikaner, March 20: Defending champion Suresh Rana (co-driver PV Srinivas Murthy) and CS Santosh of Dakar fame led the Xtreme fields in four-wheeler and two-wheeler categories, respectively, at the end of Leg 1 of the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm here last night.

    Meanwhile, a malfunctioning headlight ended National women’s racing and rally champion Aishwarya Pissay’s campaign as she was docked a penalty of 100 hours, forcing her to retire from the weeklong cross-country rally which covers a total distance of 2,500 Kms with 900 kms of timed section.

    Rana, supported by Maruti Suzuki Motorsport and driving the factory-supported Grand Vitara, enjoyed a 33-second lead over Abhishek Mishra (V Venu Ramesh Kumar) at the end of the two Special Stages of Leg 1 which included a night run.

    In contrast, Santosh, astride the Hero 450 RR on which he finished 34th overall in the Dakar Rally in South America, earlier this year, was in a league of his own as he opened a lead of little over five minutes Aaron Mare.

    Bengaluru-based 22-year old Aishwarya, representing TVS Racing team, was among 11 bikers who retired in Leg-1.

    “I was running well in the day’s first Stage and was in good rhythm. I even overtook several bikes and was feeling very confident until the problem with the headlight cropped up in the next Stage.

    “I was doing a night Stage for the first time ever and it was a whole new experience for me. Suddenly, the headlight stopped working and I was caught in pitch darkness. I followed the tail-lights of other bikes for a while, but got stuck on a sand dune and I was left all alone.

    “I managed to contact the officials who arrived after about an hour, picked me up and I got back to Bikaner safely.  In view of the stoppage, I was handed a penalty of 100 hours and we decided against taking a re-start,” said Aishwarya.

    The rally resumed today as the competitors headed towards Jaisalmer after negotiating two Special Stages totaling 130 Kms en route.

  • FIM Superbike World Championship heads to Buriram #THAIWorldSBK

    FIM Superbike World Championship heads to Buriram #THAIWorldSBK

    City of Happiness set to host the 2nd round of the Motul FIM WorldSBK Championship. Image by WorldSBK

    Destination of Speed awaits the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, as they head to Thailand and the well-established circuit in Buriram, as 4.5km of sweeping tarmac prepares to welcome the 19 WorldSBK riders, for what is set to be a sensational second round of the season. Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) arrives in Thailand as the championship leader, breaking Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK’s Jonathan Rea’s string of 76 races at the top, but the fight isn’t over and reigning world champion Rea will be the man to beat around Buriram. The battle for glory in Thailand is on!

    Melandri will be looking to take his third consecutive win when the lights go out on Saturday, as the Italian heads to Thailand as the only WorldSBK victor of 2018. The 35 year old is preparing for a tough fight, and after narrowly missing out on a double podium finish last season, he will be looking to improve his pace – especially through the tricky final corner in Buriram. Whilst Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) has a mixed bag of results from Thailand – including two podium finishes – he will be searching for a more positive weekend in Asia.

    Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK are no doubt the bench-mark around the Asian circuit, with an 100% win record in Buriram. Jonathan Rea took the double victory when SBK® first visited the circuit back in 2015, whilst Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) joined him on the podium in race one. 2016 welcomed an 100% podium record for the duo following sensational British battles on track, of which Rea was the victor in Race One and Sykes in Race Two. Whilst 2017 welcomed the unstoppable Rea on his way to his third consecutive title, as he took the double in dominant style – closely followed by Sykes. Will 2018 see the end to their Thai reign? There are plenty on men on a bid to stop them.

    2016’s pole position man Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) will hope to put the opening race of the season behind him, as he suffered a tough first outing in Australia. But with a strong history around Chang International Circuit, the Dutch rider sets his sights on his second podium appearance in front of the hordes of fans, his first back in 2016. Fellow Buriram podium finisher Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) will be keen to get his YZF-R1 on the podium in Thailand, and he will be keen to remain in the top five of the championship standings after Round Two.

    Impressing with their new rider line up for 2018 in Australia, Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team of Leon Camier and Jake Gagne will have another challenging weekend ahead of them. Sitting in sixth position overall in the standings, Camier will be hoping to improve his overall record around the 4.4km circuit, where he has struggled in the past. With a new bike and team, the British rider will be putting everything he learnt from his first race with the CBR1000RR to good use this weekend. Whilst for Gagne it will be another track to learn, giving him even more of a test for the three days ahead.

    Milwaukee Aprilia team-mates Eugene Laverty and Lorenzo Savadori don’t have many happy memories of Chang International Circuit, which they will be looking to rectify for the 2018 MOTUL Thai Round. Italian Savadori has welcomed two top ten finishes here, whilst Irish hopeful Laverty has only competed here once, and took home one point from both races. With some big steps with the set-up of the RSV4 RF made in Australia, there will no doubt be two determined Aprilia riders around Buriram.

    Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) has a strong record from Buriram in the past, as the Spainish rider has never finished outside of the top eight over all six appearances. Continuing to learn the dynamics of this new team, as well as the characteristics of the F4, it will certainly be a challenge for Torres but with the added confidence of the strong history – including two top four finishes in 2015, he will be one to watch.

    With their sole rider of Loris Baz making his debut in Buriram this weekend, the GULF ALTHEA BMW Racing Team will have a big challenge on their hands. Keen to get the weekend underway, the French rider will be keen to put in plenty of laps on his S 1000 RR throughout the start of the weekend as he prepares to get himself in the best possible position for the weekend ahead.

    Whilst the battle between the Independent Rider’s roars on into Thailand, of which Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) is dominating. Taking a podium finish in Australia and sitting in fourth position in the overall championship standings, the Spanish rider is the clear outstanding independent rider so far. However, with a mixed record around the circuit he will no doubt face some strong challenges from his fellow Independent Team’s and Riders.

    Follow the WorldSBK riders on their search for glory around the Destination of Speed from 23rd to 25th March, as racing kicks off at 16.00LT (+7 GMT) on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

     

  • The Thunder from Down Under, Aussie GP lap guide by Force India

    http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXU728U9M84&feature=youtu.be

    Sergio Perez: “The race in Melbourne is something I look forward to all winter. It’s a really cool place to start the season. I love the city and it’s probably one of my favourite places to visit.

    “One thing I love about Melbourne is the wildlife and the scenery. I remember driving down the Great Ocean Road a few years ago and loved the experience. I also enjoy visiting the zoo because I always like to see the koalas – even though they are usually asleep!

    “You always arrive in Melbourne full of hope. There are lots of unanswered questions and it’s when you really start to understand your competitiveness. At the same time, it’s not a typical race because it’s usually quite unpredictable. Often, just finishing the race is the key to getting a good result.

    “I feel in good shape and ready for the season to start. I want this to be my best year in Formula One and I want to be back on the podium. During testing we saw that all the midfield teams are quite close together in terms of performance. I also think the gap to the front of the grid is smaller. Let’s see what happens.

    “The Albert Park circuit is always difficult. It’s not easy to find your flow because it’s quite stop and start. You need to be strong on the brakes and have good traction. I would say my favourite part of the lap is turn one; it’s challenging and bumpy, and it’s not easy to see the apex when you’re turning in. It becomes even more difficult late in the day when the sun is low in the sky and in your eyes.”

    Esteban: “It has been a long winter with a two-month training camp for me in the Pyrenees, but hopefully all the hard work will pay off now the racing is starting. I can honestly say I’m in the best shape of my life. I feel ready to go racing again. Testing is one thing, but now we will get the real answers in terms of our performance.

    “Melbourne is a fantastic place. I think everybody in the team enjoys going there. The weather is usually nice and there’s extra excitement because it’s the start of the season. The atmosphere is brilliant all weekend and the fans give you lots of energy. I think it’s a perfect place to start the season.

    “The Albert Park track is quite old school. It’s narrow and very technical. The secret to a good lap is being neat and tidy because it’s largely made up of low and medium-speed corners. I would say the most exciting part of the lap is the high-speed chicane through turns 11 and 12 because it’s easy to make a mistake and lose time.

    “I’d like to think we can fight for points in Melbourne. We had a really solid second week of testing in Barcelona. I feel comfortable in the car and it’s very consistent. We have new parts coming for the race so hopefully that’s another performance step.”

  • Carlin confirms Ameya Vaidyanathan for FIA Formula3 Euro Championship

    Carlin confirmed that Indian racer Ameya Vaidyanathan remains with the team for the full 2018 season competing in the FIA Formula Three (F3) European Championship.

    The 2017 season was a standout season for Vaidyanathan who took a race victory in the Euro Formula Open Championship at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The 21-year-old has now confirmed that he will remain with the team for a third season for the FIA F3 Championship.

    Vaidyanathan started racing late at 18, but gained experience in various championships beginning with a Ginetta GT car before he entered single-seaters and switched to the BRDC British F4 Championship, taking a handful of podiums along the way.

    Vaidyanathan then competed in the BRDC British F3 Championship and moved on to the Euro Formula Open Championship for the 2017 season. In Spa, Vaidyanathan took a fine win which saw him make an incredible move for the lead of the race to ensure he stood on the very top step of the podium – his fifth podium of the 2017 season.

    “It’s great to be moving up to FIA Formula Three in what is now my third year with Carlin,” said Vaidyanathan. “Staying in the team was a no-brainer because I can see everyone’s commitment towards achieving the highest standards. I’ve really learned so much during my time at Carlin thus far and I’m keen to put everything to good use to find my feet in such a competitive field.”

    Trevor Carlin, racing director, said: “This will be our third season working with Ameya and we’re pleased to see how much he has grown and accomplished in that time. He took his maiden win in the Euro Formula Open Championship at Spa and has been consistently improving his race craft. We are extremely pleased to be working together in such competitive championship and look forward to seeing what he can achieve.”

    Vaidyanathan will be out on track for pre-season testing towards the end of March at both the Hungaroring and Red Bull Ring before the 2018 FIA Formula Three European Championship gets underway at street circuit Pau in May.

     

  • Productive Rally weekend for Hyundai i20 R5

    Productive Rally weekend for Hyundai i20 R5

    Photo – Hyundai Motorsport

    Alzenau (Germany): Hyundai i20 R5 customer teams took victory in three different national championship events last weekend, as series across Europe began their 2018 seasons.

    Reigning champions Iván Ares and José Pintor took maximum points from the Rali do Cocido (March 17), the opening round of the Spanish tarmac championship. The i20 R5 crew outpaced both their fellow R5 runners and drivers in nationally homologated N5 machinery.

    Carrying a new livery for the new season, incorporating Hyundai’s Performance Blue, the pairing wasted no time in establishing themselves at the front of the rally with two fastest times at the start of the rally. A scare – skating wide into a field – dropped them momentarily to third overall. However, they immediately rebounded, regaining one position as they took the three points on offer for the winning the TC Plus power stage.

    Four more stage wins followed before the close of the rally, sealing a fantastic victory to start an expanded season in Spain, with a total of 11 events making up the 2018 season.

    Perfect record preserved in Paraguay

    The combination of the i20 R5, Hyundai Paraguay and Diego Dominguez continued to be the team to beat in the country. Dominguez and co-driver Edgardo Galindo were on the pace throughout the Rally Trans Itapúa (March 16-18), winning four stages on Saturday alone as they surged into the overall lead. As well as the performance they were able to rely on the i20 R5, as their rivals found trouble on the rough gravel roads.

    A controlled run through the four stages on the final day of the event allowed them to cruise to a third victory of the year by over a minute. The result kept them at the head of the Paraguayan championship, but also put them in the lead of the South American FIA CODASUR Championship, which attracts the top crews from across the continent.

    Fast on the French tarmac

    Bryan Bouffier led three i20 R5 crews onto the start line of the Rallye Le Touquet – Pas de Calais (March 16-17). The Frenchman was making his first start in the national championship for five years, and his first competitive start in an i20 R5, run by the Onyx Racing by Enjolras team. Bouffier and co-driver Gilbert Dini were the fastest R5 entrants overall throughout the two-day event which formed the first round of the French Tarmac championship.

    Such was the pace of the car that on two occasions they beat teams in former WRC machinery to claim the fastest stage time overall, extending their advantage at the top of the R5 category at the same time. The pair ended with nearly a minute in hand over their closest rivals in the all-important class standings, announcing their intentions the season to come.

    Jordan Berfa and Damien Augustin finished eighth overall. Starting the season with a fresh challenge on tarmac after winning last year’s gravel championship the Turbo ABP Competition run team were consistent throughout in their i20 R5, showing the same reliability – of both car and crew – that led them to their 2017 championship.

    The final i20 R5 car, run by Sarrazin Motorsport for Quentin Giordano, was also a fixture in the top-10. However, Giordano and Frédéric Vauclare were forced out of the rally with two stages remaining.

    Hungarian customers battle in Austria

    Three more i20 R5 customers were in action at the Rebenland Rallye (March 16-17), which brought together the entries for the Austrian championship and the Mitropa Cup.

    Hungarian teams LPWM Sport and Korda Racing were represented by Lovász Pál and Szabolcs Várkonyi respectively. The two crews were locked in battle for almost the entire event just outside of the top-10 overall. They finished 16th and 17th, with the Korda pairing ahead.

    The i20 R5 customer line-up at the rally was completed by Hans Peter Haid at the wheel of the Gassner Motorsport-owned car, making his second start with the team following January’s Jänner Rallye.

    Consistent pace in Ireland and Holland

    Eugene Donnelly gave the i20 R5 its seasonal debut in Ireland at the opening round of the Irish Tarmac Championship, the West Cork Rally (March 17-18). Still adapting to his new chassis, and to competition after taking a year out in 2017, Donnelly was a constant in the top-10 finishing in ninth overall in another event headed by older spec WRC cars.

    Another consistent result for an i20 R5 customer came in the Zuiderzee Rally (March 17-18) in Holland. Bob de Jong finished fifth overall to start his campaign in the domestic championship.

    Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Deputy General Manager Andrea Adamo said: “This last weekend was a great one for our customers, and so it was very strong for the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing department.

    “The best advertisement for the i20 R5 is the results on the stages, so to have victories the events in France, Spain and Paraguay covering tarmac and gravel is a special moment. Of course, while our customers have now made fast starts to their national campaigns it is important that we now work to support them through the rest of the year, so they can end the year as well as they have started.”

    About the Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing department

    Hyundai Motorsport GmbH established its Customer Racing department in September 2015 with the aim of enhancing Hyundai’s motorsport image around the world – in parallel to its successful WRC programme. Following its debut the i20 R5 quickly proved popular with teams and drivers across Europe. The car is designed so that both professional and amateur drivers can compete in the full range of international, regional and national championships where R5-specification cars are eligible. In February 2017 the Hyundai Motorsport announced their second Customer Racing project, a car designed to the TCR regulations, which the Customer Racing department will oversee alongside continuing to support their existing clients.

    Further information about Hyundai Motorsport is available at: http://motorsport.hyundai.com

    Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Release

  • Aishwarya Pissay geared up for Desert Storm challenge

    Aishwarya Pissay geared up for Desert Storm challenge

    Bikaner (Rajasthan): Indian National women’s racing and rally champion Aishwarya Pissay from Bengaluru, representing TVS Racing team, is hoping for a strong finish in the country’s major cross-country event, the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2018, with the first-leg scheduled to start here this evening and conclude late at night.

    After Sunday’s ceremonial flag-off in Noida, the participants arrived here for the start of the first leg that comprises two Special Stages totaling about 70 Km

    File photo of Aishwarya Pissay by Anand Philar

    and scheduled to start in the evening.

    Having finished fourth in the Raid de Himalaya rally while becoming the only female rider to complete the grueling course in the ‘Xtreme’ category, Aishwarya has been entered in the Group B (up to 250cc) class for the Desert Storm that has 43 riders in the fray.

    Looking ahead to the weeklong event that has 900 Km of Special Stages while covering a total distance of 2,500 Km, Aishwarya, 22, said: “I am better prepared this year unlike in 2017 when I packed on the second day itself after suffering multiple crashes.

    “I am happy to have joined the TVS Racing team and it is a huge lift for my career. With the team’s support, I hope to do well this time around.

    “As part of my preparations for the Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2018, I spent a few days in Jaipur, working on my riding skills on desert tracks, thus giving myself more time on the bike and also overall fitness. So, I am as ready as I could be for the challenge.”

    This year, the Special Stages are located around Bikaner and Jaisalmer, and the riders will have to negotiate treacherous desert tracks dotted with sand dunes. The event will conclude on March 23 with a gala prize-distribution ceremony.

    AP Media Comm. release

  • Dovi vs Marquez lights the fuse at Losail

    Dovi vs Marquez lights the fuse at Losail

    Close fight at the flag in the Quatar opener of 2018 season on Sunday. A MotoGP image.

    Opening the season with a sensational last lap performance, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) beat Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) to the line at the Losail International Circuit by just 0.027s, lighting the fuse on 2018 from the very first race. And the ‘Doctor’ Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) completed the podium, putting in another Sunday stunner from Row 3 of the grid.

    Frenchman Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) shot off pole position to take the lead into the first corner but there was nothing to split the top ten riders in the opening laps, and it looked as if any one of them could fight for the victory throughout the 22-lap thriller. With fastest laps flying in on each lap, Zarco was still able to keep hold of the lead.

    With big battles taking place behind him, the French rider kept calm at the front whilst Rossi made his way through the field to get into podium fighting positions by the third lap, hunting down his fellow Yamaha in the lead. Marquez was never far away from the fight, sitting in the top five as soon as the lights went out. As ten laps had been completed riders were getting into a rhythm, but you could sense action was on the horizon.

    Silent assassin Dovizioso moved up to third position on lap 11 as he spent the start of the race working through the field, passing his countryman Rossi who slipped back to the riders fighting for fifth. A clear battled had now developed for the podium, with Dovizioso and Marquez closing in on Zarco and they were able to make their move on the 18th lap, with Zarco losing two positions into the opening corner – as Dovizisoso took the lead.

    Dovizioso and Marquez then began to break away, pushing themselves to the final corner of the final lap – taking no prisoners. Reigning world champion Marquez made his move through turn 15 but he was unable to make it stick, and Dovizoso led into the final corner meaning he was able to slingshot his Desmosedici over the line, 0.027s ahead. Another last lap showdown, and another Dovizioso victory in style.

    Behind the duo, Rossi fought off his rivals to secure a safe third position ahead of top independent rider Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), whilst Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) made some strong moves on the closing laps to complete the top five.

    Comeback king Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) crossed the line in sixth after being down in 14th on the opening lap, just ahead of Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), who made his 200th start in the premier class. Early race leader Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) crossing the line in eighth after struggling more in the latter stages, with Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) completing the top ten.

    Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) opened the season in 11th, ahead of top rookie Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) who crossed the line in the top 12, as Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) salvaged three points from a tough weekend in 13th. Making his MotoGP™ debut, Malaysian Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) took a top 14 finish and his first points, ahead of Karel Abraham (Angel Nieto Team) who takes home the final point from Qatar in 15th.

    It was a bad start to the season for Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), who crashed out of the top six fight on the 13th lap at turn two, whilst Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) had a start to 2018 to forget and the Spaniard crashed out on the same lap – finding his brakes unresponsive at turn 16.

    The paddock will now pack up and head to Argentina from 6th – 8th April for the second round of what is set to be a phenomenal MotoGP™ season – and the fuse is already lit.

    Race Results
    1 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) DUCATI 42’34.654
    2 – Marc Márquez (SPA) HONDA +0.027
    3 – Valentino Rossi (ITA) YAMAHA+ 0.797
    —
    First Independent Team Rider
    P4 – Cal Crutchlow (GBR) HONDA +2.881.

    source: motoGP press release

     

  • Dovizioso begins 2018 campaign with a bang; Marquez 2nd ahead of Rossi

    As night fell in Qatar, Marc Marquez climbed to the second step of the podium at the Losail International Circuit after fighting for victory all the way until the last corner.

    Andrea Dovizioso just edged Marc out at the chequered flag by a mere 0.027” but the reigning World Champion will fly back to Europe tomorrow knowing that he’s shown great pace and scored a brilliant result at a track that is notoriously tough for him and the Repsol Honda Team.

    A group of seven riders, split by just over one second, fought for a podium position for almost the entire race. Dani Pedrosa was among that group, although a poor feeling with the rear tyre forced him to settle for seventh.

    Marc Marquez

    2ND 

    “What a race! I’m really happy with our second place finish because this is one of the tracks on the calendar where we struggle most. After the pre-season test we knew what we could expect. With the hard front tyre I was struggling a bit in the left corners but with the medium I wouldn’t have finished the race. I tried to pass Dovi in the last corner but he beat me. Honestly, I was expecting that, but I had to try the move anyway, to see if there was any way we could make it happen. In the end, Dovi had something more than me and he deserves this win. Even if he was a bit behind at the start, I was waiting for him–I was waiting for the red! I knew his tactic was to push at the end and when he passed Zarco I said to myself, ‘let’s go!’ I followed him and almost went wide, but it was a great race and a great show. The thing I’m most happy about is that, this time, we were able to stay with him on the straight and this is very good.”

  • Sunday guide for the Qatar MotoGP

    MotoGP™
    Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) takes his third pole position in the MotoGP™ class, beating Jorge Lorenzo’s best lap from 2008. He is now the second French rider overall in the premier class after Christian Sarron (6 pole positions). He is also the first French rider to start a season from pole position since Pierre Monneret in Reims 1954.

    This is the first time there are two independent team riders on the front row since Motegi last year with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing).

    In second place on the grid is Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team) who won the MotoGP™ race in Qatar in 2014. He was also second on the grid two years ago and eventually crossed the line in third.

    This highest Ducati rider is Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) in third place on the grid, which is his fifth front row start in the MotoGP™ class, to make it three different manufacturers represented on the front row for the third successive time in Losail.

    Heading the second row is Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda CASTROL), his best qualifying result since he was fourth also in Aragon last year.

    As last year in Losail, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) is in fifth place on the grid.  He has been the first Ducati rider across the line for the last five years at this track.

    Taking the final place on the second row is Alex Rins (Team SUZUKI ECSTAR), which is best qualifying result on what it is his 14th start in the MotoGP™ class.

    Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) starts his 200th MotoGP™ race from seventh on the grid, his worst qualifying result since Australia last season. For the last two years in Qatar, Pedrosa finished in 5th place in Qatar, from 7th place on the grid. He has never won the opening race of the year since moving up to the MotoGP™ class in 2006.

    Second Yamaha rider on the grid, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) is in eighth place on the grid, which is his worst dry-weather qualifying result since the German Grand Prix last year.

    Heading the third row of the grid is Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) who is the most successful rider on the grid in Qatar with with 6 wins (3 x MotoGP™, 2 x 250cc, 1 x 125cc).

    Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), who won last year in Qatar from pole position, will start from the final place of the fourth row.

    Moto2
    Alex Márquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) qualified on pole position for the fourth time in the Moto2™ class, equalling Mika Kallio and Álex Rins.

    Lorenzo Baldassari (Pons HP40) starts from second on the grid which is his best qualifying result in what it will be his 69th Grand Prix start in the Moto2™ class.

    Top rookie last season, Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) starts from the front row for the second time in the intermediate category. He will be aiming to become the seventh Italian rider to win in this class.

    Winner of the last three races in 2017, Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is the highest non-Kalex rider on the grid. He crossed the line in fourth last year in Losail.

    Romano Fenati (Marinelli Snipers Team) starts from fifth on the grid for his rookie debut, which the best qualifying result for a rookie since Sam Lowes also qualified in fifth back in 2014.

    As in Qatar last year, Danny Kent (Beta Tools – Speed Up Racing) starts from sixth on the grid, equalling his best ever starting place in his Moto2™ career. This is also the best result for Speed Up since Simone Corsi was the fifth-fastest qualifier in Aragon last year.

    Moto3™
    Niccolò Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) is on pole position for the fifth time on what will be his 103rd Grand Prix start so far. He will be aiming to take his second Moto3™ race win in Losail, his fourth overall to become the most successful rider on the current grid.

    In second place on the grid is Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3), his fourth successive front row start. After Valencia last year, he will be aiming to win his first back-to-back Grand Prix races. He crossed the line in third last year in Losail, his second podium finish at this time.

    The highest placed KTM rider is Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA BOE Skull Rider), who missed that race last year due to collarbone injury sustained after a crash during the first practice session. He will start from the front row for the seventh time of his Grand Prix career and will be looking to become the first Argentinean rider to finish on the podium in the lightweight class since Willy Perez at Spa back in 1986.

    Heading the second row of the grid are Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia), which is their best ever qualifying result in the Moto3™ class.

    Marco Bezzecchi (PruestelGP) qualified in sixth place on the grid, his best dry-weather qualifying result since he was fifth in Assen last year.

    Jakub Kornfeil (PruestelGP) qualified in 11th, his best qualifying result since he was fourth in Misano back in 2016.

    As last year in Qatar, John McPhee (CIP – Green Power) starts the opening race of the season from 12th on the grid. He eventually crossed the line in second position.