This morning, Álex Márquez took a late lead to top the times in FP1 for the MotoGP Catalan GP. After going 0.349 seconds quicker than the field, it was time to see if he could replicate the speed in the timed practice session. Over an hour, the 22 riders were battling to make it through to Q2. With 10 spaces available, Pedro Acosta and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing led the way.
Session Starts With Speculation
Following his crash in FP1, speculation about Jorge Martín was arising, with Spanish Newspaper AS claiming he suffered a mild concussion and a contusion on his left forearm. Apparently, Aprilia Racing had Dr. Ángel Charte in the garage to monitor the #89 throughout the session. However, Aprilia Racing Team Director, Paolo Bonora, shared that whilst Martín had some pain, he had been assessed and was fit to drive.
Martín’s teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, was the first to set the benchmark: a 1.39.062. But Ducati-powered Álex Márquez and Fabio Di Giananntonio were close behind in P2 and P3 respectively as the initial laps came in. In contrast, as the first run was completed, sole Ducati Lenovo Team rider Francesco Bagnaia was down in P19, 1.2 seconds off of Bezzecchi’s time.
With the first runs complete, the only manufacturer not in the advancing places was Yamaha. Early in the session, a brake disc protector flew off of Pedro Acosta’s KTM machinery. Eagle eyes could also spot an updated swingarm on the rear of Bagnaia’s Ducati. This piece aids cornering grip by balancing handing the engine power with lateral flex. With the Italian team bringing upgrades in recent weeks, time will tell if this updated piece will aid their effects in closing in to Aprilia.
Changing Track Conditions
Although the temperatures were still low, the sun was starting to peak through the clouds, making the track temperatures more ideal than earlier in the day. Consequently, the changing weather led to the track conditions changing throughout the session.
Sector 2 proved to be the challenging area of the track. Whilst most riders improved each lap throughout the first sector, not many were improving in the second. Trackhouse MotoGP Team rider Ai Ogura became the exception to this trend, managing to set the fastest Sector 2 time and going second overall.
Despite improving his lap times, Ogura brought out the first local yellow. Sliding into Turn 2, the flag was briefly shown. However, he was quickly able to return to the pits. Because of this, some riders had their laps deleted.
The Final Flurry Sees KTM Impress
With 15 minutes remaining, the lap times were finally starting to improve. Being the first to return to track, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP rider Toprak Razgatlıoğlu improved from P21 to P11. But Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Brad Binder shot up to P1 just before Álex Rins crashed in Turn 5 to bring out a local yellow in Sector 2.
Fellow KTM riders followed in Binder’s footsteps. Acosta crossed the line to go two tenths faster and take the top spot. Enea Bastianini from Red Bull KTM Tech 3 also improved to make it a KTM top three with 12 minutes remaining.
Times were now improving across the board. Di Giannantonio went P2 to split the KTM’s. Márquez was also improving, but couldn’t beat Acosta, missing P1 by only 0.018 seconds. Whilst Bezzecchi wasn’t improving, Martín was. However, his best lap saw him just shy of the top ten, placing him 12th.
Acosta Tops But Martín Faces Q1
As practice drew to a close, yellow flags imposed the riders’ attempts. First, Joan Mir crashed in Turn 10 for a yellow in Sector 4. Then, Martín crashed in Turn 2, bringing out a yellow in Sector 1. Once the track was clear, riders only had one minute to improve their times.
Acosta retained the lead of the session with a small margin. After being on the cusp for throughout the hour, Jack Miller was able to improve. A final lap across the line saw fellow Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo also advance to Q2.
For the first time this season, Martín and Ogura will have to face Q1. Their crashes meant they couldn’t improve their lap times. Bagnaia also has to face the first qualifying session, after being knocked out by Johann Zarco in the final moments.
With all five manufacturers represented in Q2, everything is up for grabs. Acosta and Márquez seem to be setting the pace in their home Grand Prix, but can either convert the early pace to a pole position? KTM also shows promise for the upcoming races, with three of their four riders through.
Day one of the Catalan Grand Prix is complete, but there is plenty more action to come. Who will take pole, and who will go on to win?