Round 15 – Thailand, Buriram International Circuit

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Despite a crash at the end of Q2 – a real rarity – Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) set a new lap record to qualify on pole position for the PTT Thailand Grand Prix, taking pole for the fourth time in his rookie season and becoming the youngest to do so. He also equals Jorge Lorenzo (2008) and Dani Pedrosa (2006) on number of rookie poles, with only Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) ahead of the three. Marquez was another crasher in Q2 in Thailand, however, and starts third, with Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) splitting the two record breakers to take second on the grid and make it a Yamaha 1-2.

After a rain-soaked morning, it was a dry afternoon but the weather had left Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) marooned in Q1 after a tougher Friday and the Italian was on a mission to move through. That he did, with Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) joining the Mugello winner in the fight for pole.

That fight began with a Marquez vs Viñales vs Quartararo shootout and ultimately, that’s the way it would remain – although two of them would later improve. Early drama came from a crash for Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) at Turn 5, ‘The Doctor’ heading back to the pits for his other machine as the clock ticked down. And Viñales stayed out later than many, the Spaniard enjoying the track pretty much to himself for a couple of laps.

Then it was showtime and the final runs. Quartararo was on top and the rookie was soon back into the red challenging his own new record, but Marquez was on a charge too. As the clock ticked down though, the reining Champion couldn’t do anything about the rookie ahead of him as Quartararo did lower his time once again, and then drama hit for the number 93. He suffered another crash and suddenly slid out of the fight, pole position out of reach on the weekend where he has his first Championship point.

Despite the crash for his key rival, Quartararo was still pushing, and the Frenchman would then end his session in much the same way, although he was similarly straight up on his feet and ok. That just left Viñales to charge for the front and the Misano polesitter did improve, but it was only enough for second as he punted Marquez down a position.

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Fabio Quartararo – P1

“I gave it my everything in qualifying, and it paid off. It’s nice to be able to make not one but two good laps, despite being a little bit over the limit at the end pushing for a third one. I’ve felt strong on the bike all weekend, everything is working really well, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve tomorrow. The team have done an amazing job all weekend, and the result was as much for them as it was for me. We’ve got great race pace as well as time attack speed so I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens in the race.”

Maverick Vinales – P2

“The feeling is great, because considering our rhythm, and also on paper, we are in close contention for the victory. When it comes to one lap, we know our bike is good, so we profited from it again today. There are still some things to improve for the race. I’m feeling great on the bike, as I said, but we’re going to try to make another step tomorrow. Anyway, we are happy, we’re just one tenth from pole position and we’re getting many front rows these races, and that is important: to be consistent. It will help us improve and be better each race. I can see myself on the podium tomorrow, because on paper our rhythm is stronger than that of most of the others, but you never know. For sure, we’re going to fight for the victory from the first laps of the race.”

Marc Marquez – P3

“Today was a very good day for us, apart from the small crash at the end of Qualifying. After the fall, physically I am OK. I have a little bit of pain but it’s no excuse for the race tomorrow. We have a very good pace and we kept working and pushing throughout the day for tomorrow’s important race. The crashes this weekend aren’t a problem, for tomorrow, we have good pace and we will treat it like any other race – aiming to fight for the podium and victory.”

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Yamaha’s great weekend at Buriram continued as Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) took fourth to head up the second row, ahead of Petrucci, who put in a stellar performance in Q2 to start as top Ducati.

Franco Morbidelli – P4

“I’m happy about the result because to be on the front two rows was our target and we achieved it. I’m pleased with the pace we have as well, so warm-up in the morning will just be a case of improving a few elements and then making a good race. We’ve been fast in wet and dry conditions, feeling confident in both, and we’re ready to start now. I will try as always for the podium, but we might just be missing a little bit. If we can make some improvements in the areas we’ve identified, we can achieve it.”

Danilo Petrucci – P5

“Finally I was able to do a good qualifying session, despite the weather conditions this morning making it a bit difficult for us. We had to go through Q1, but I defended myself well and together with the team we did a great job. As I said yesterday, we have a good idea of the direction to work in and as a result I’m back amongst the grid positions where I should be. I’m very happy because I can see that things are beginning to function: I want to thank all the people who have been helping me, both in the racing department back in Bologna and in my team, and tomorrow I want to finish off the job we did today with a great result”.

It was close, however, with Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) just in sixth – and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) not far behind either.

Jack Miller – P6

“I am satisfied with this result even though I have never been able to make a perfect lap. The boys were really strong so I have no regrets. The feeling is very good and if I have to be honest I am happier for what we did in the FP4. There is great confidence for tomorrow.”

‘DesmoDovi’ starts the pivotal PTT Thailand Grand Prix from seventh on the grid, from where he’ll be hoping to launch through the pack quickly and take the challenge to Marquez. The Spaniard’s only rival for the crown must stop Marquez scoring two more points than him on Sunday is the fight is to roll on to Japan.

Andrea Dovizioso – P7

“My feeling with the bike is much better than yesterday and we were quite fast on used tyres, so I’ve got good sensations for tomorrow. Unfortunately, we were unable to get the best out of the new tyres in qualifying and so tomorrow I will start from the third row of the grid, but with a good start I think I can do a good race because it will be a long grand prix and there are a lot of us with a similar pace. We will decide on our strategy during the race, but we’ve been working well and I’m confident for tomorrow”.

Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) had an impressive Saturday to take P8 on the grid and once again get the better of more veteran teammate Alex Rins, with Rins down in tenth and Valentino Rossi splitting the two Hamamatsu factory machines. The number 46 is another who will be looking for more on Sunday, not able to recover much ground on his second bike after the crash.

Joan Mir – P8

“I haven’t ridden here before, but I feel good. Since my injury the team and I have worked really hard to come back and finish the season in a positive way, and it looks like it’s starting to pay off. We have to work a bit harder in qualifying in the future, but I hope to be able to fight from 8th on the grid. Alex and I are close to each other on times, and let’s see if we can run together in the race.”

Valentino Rossi – P9

“The crash is a shame. Maybe we could have started from a bit better position, because my pace in FP4 wasn’t too bad. Unfortunately, during the qualifying on the first tyre I made a mistake and I was a bit wide, I think, and then lost the front on the bumps and crashed. So I came back to the box and went out with the other bike, but I didn’t have the same tyres. It wasn’t the perfect situation, but I was able to set a 1’30.7s so I’ll start from the third row. We hope for good weather tomorrow morning, because we have to try something, also for the race. My pace is not so bad, but there are four or five riders that are very close, so we’ll see.”

Alex Rins – P10

“I’m satisfied because I improved my lap time, but not by enough. I’m starting in 10th tomorrow and I’m a bit behind the top guys, but there are many over-taking opportunities at this track and it’s possible to make up a lot of positions. Although it won’t be easy because everybody is very close, and if you make a mistake you could lose a lot of places. Let’s see what I can do tomorrow!”

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Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) took P11 and only completed one run in Q2 to let his injured wrist have a bit of a break, although he’s positive about going the distance on Sunday. Brother Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) took P12 to make it all six manufacturers in Q2.

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) was one surprise name to miss out, and the Brit starts 13th just ahead of teammate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu).

Jorge Lorenzo was upbeat with how Saturday went in Thailand, despite being unable to improve his time from Friday for a spot in Q2 due to the weather. Setting his best lap time of the weekend, Lorenzo finished the Q1 session within a second of Petrucci and will start from 19th on the grid but believes he could have been at least a row higher had a mistake late in his flying lap not cost him several tenths.

Jorge Lorenzo – P19

“The rain didn’t create the best conditions for the afternoon as the track was more slippery. We had to change the setting to compensate for this and we weren’t able to close the distance from pole. Anyway, in Qualifying I went faster than the whole weekend but we had an issue in the final braking after running on the kerb in the fast corner before. This lost me a few tenths and I think without this I could have been 16th which would have been my best grid position since Assen. We keep working!”

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After a serious show of pace from the likes of Quartararo and Viñales on Saturday, Marquez has his work cut out to take the crown on race day in Thailand. Can he do it? Dovizioso will be one a charge to make sure he doesn’t.

MotoGP Qualifying Results Thailand

Pos	Rider	Bike	Q	Time/Gap
1	Fabio QUARTARARO	YAMAHA	Q2	1m29.719
2	Maverick VIÑALES	YAMAHA	Q2	+0.106
3	Marc MARQUEZ	HONDA	Q2	+0.212
4	Franco MORBIDELLI	YAMAHA	Q2	+0.712
5	Danilo PETRUCCI	DUCATI	Q2	+0.803
6	Jack MILLER	DUCATI	Q2	+0.878
7	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	DUCATI	Q2	+0.973
8	Joan MIR	SUZUKI	Q2	+1.016
9	Valentino ROSSI	YAMAHA	Q2	+1.022
10	Alex RINS	SUZUKI	Q2	+1.059
11	Pol ESPARGARO	KTM	Q2	+1.346
12	Aleix ESPARGARO	APRILIA	Q2	+1.539
13	Cal CRUTCHLOW	HONDA	Q1	+0.284
14	Takaaki NAKAGAMI	HONDA	Q1	+0.703
15	Francesco BAGNAIA	DUCATI	Q1	+0.731
16	Andrea IANNONE	APRILIA	Q1	+0.743
17	Miguel OLIVEIRA	KTM	Q1	+0.814
18	Tito RABAT	DUCATI	Q1	+0.869
19	Jorge LORENZO	HONDA	Q1	+0.920
20	Karel ABRAHAM	DUCATI	Q1	+1.088
21	Mika KALLIO	KTM	Q1	+1.164
22	Hafizh SYAHRIN	KTM	Q1	+1.294

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Moto2

Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) has qualified on pole for the PTT Thailand Grand Prix, pulling out all the stops to head the grid for the fifth time this season as the man second overall, Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up), had a tough Saturday at the office outside the top 20. Tetsuta Nagashima (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) was second fastest as his impressive weekend continued, with reigning Moto3 World Champion Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) taking third for his first front row start in his rookie season in the intermediate class.

Saturday started with torrential conditions, dried out and then threatened again for Moto2™. Under cloudier skies, Andrea Locatelli (Italtrans Racing Team) set a new lap record in Q1 to head fellow Q2 graduates Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), Marco Bezzecchi (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP), but more rain came down and put a spanner in the works for one title challenger.

Second in the Championship, Navarro was one of three riders who slid out, along with Mattia Pasini (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2) and Joe Roberts (American Racing KTM), and although all riders were up and ok, it put a dent in their Saturday. Navarro will now start the PTT Thailand Grand Prix from outside the top 20 and will have his work cut out on Sunday.

Once into Q2 and the track dry again, Marquez put himself a cut above mid-session and wasn’t to be caught, despite having earlier crashed in FP3. Nagashima was within a tenth of the man leading the charge for the crown by the time the flag went out, however, and Martin, after a tougher rookie season so far, put in a stellar performance to take third and only a tenth and a half off the man who’s ruled the class this season.

Meanwhile on the second row, he may have been the fastest on Friday but Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) had to settle for fourth on the grid, although he remains in a good position to try and repeat his 2018 rostrum finish at the track. Remy Gardner made it both ONEXOX TKKR SAG teammates inside the top five in P5, with title contender Augusto Fernandez (FlexBox HP 40) firing in a late lap to complete the second row.

Xavi Vierge (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) heads up Row 3, the Spaniard getting the better of Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) in eighth as the Swiss veteran prepares for his first Moto2™ race at Chang International Circuit, having been in the premier class last season. Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46) took P9. with Iker Lecuona (American Racing KTM) completing the top ten.

Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) was P11 ahead of Aragon winner Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who had a tough day at the office, with home hero Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) losing ground on Saturday afternoon. Second quickest on Day 1, the Thai rider will line up in P13 – but expect a serious charge from him.

Marcel Schrötter and Andrea Locatelli complete the fastest fifteen in qualifying, ahead of Lowes, Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Beta Tools Speed Up), who is having a difficult Thai GP so far.

Moto2 Qualifying Results Thailand

Pos	Rider	Bike	Q	Time/Gap
1	Alex MARQUEZ	KALEX	Q2	1m35.297
2	Tetsuta NAGASHIMA	KALEX	Q2	+0.095
3	Jorge MARTIN	KTM	Q2	+0.151
4	Luca MARINI	KALEX	Q2	+0.179
5	Remy GARDNER	KALEX	Q2	+0.197
6	Augusto FERNANDEZ	KALEX	Q2	+0.284
7	Xavi VIERGE	KALEX	Q2	+0.303
8	Thomas LUTHI	KALEX	Q2	+0.320
9	Nicolo BULEGA	KALEX	Q2	+0.337
10	Iker LECUONA	KTM	Q2	+0.389
11	Enea BASTIANINI	KALEX	Q2	+0.519
12	Brad BINDER	KTM	Q2	+0.520
13	Somkiat CHANTRA	KALEX	Q2	+0.638
14	Marcel SCHROTTER	KALEX	Q2	+0.672
15	Andrea LOCATELLI	KALEX	Q2	+0.684
16	Sam LOWES	KALEX	Q2	+0.759
17	Marco BEZZECCHI	KTM	Q2	+0.782
18	Fabio DI GIANNANTONI	SPEED UP	Q2	+1.062
19	Lorenzo BALDASSARRI   ITA	KALEX	Q1	+0.333
20	Stefano MANZI	MV AGUSTA	Q1	+0.336
21	Jorge NAVARRO	SPEED UP	Q1	+0.347
22	Dominique AEGERTER   SWI	MV AGUSTA	Q1	+0.551
23	Jesko RAFFIN	NTS	Q1	+0.649
24	Joe ROBERTS	KTM	Q1	+0.684
25	Bo BENDSNEYDER	NTS	Q1	+0.706
26	Mattia PASINI	KALEX	Q1	+0.808
27	Jake DIXON	KTM	Q1	+1.127
28	Philipp OETTL	KTM	Q1	+1.386
29	Dimas EKKY PRATAMA   INA	KALEX	Q1	+1.411
30	Lukas TULOVIC	KTM	Q1	+1.927
31	Xavi CARDELUS	KTM	Q1	+1.951
32	Adam NORRODIN	KALEX	Q1	+2.077

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Moto3

Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) will start the PTT Thailand Grand Prix from his maiden pole position as the Italian pulled off a perfect final assault in Q2, pulling a tenth clear of the pack to become the 10th different polesitter since the opening race in Qatar – a record in a single Moto3 season, equalling 2016. He’s also the first rookie to start from pole in the class since Joan Mir at the 2016 Austrian GP, and will have Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing) and Albert Arenas (Gaviota Angel Nieto Team) for company on the front row.

After an almighty downpour on Saturday morning, the track had dried out by the time the lightweight class headed out for Q1, with the sun back beating down on Buriram. In that first qualifying session it was Vietti who led the way, the Italian topping the session and joined in Q2 by John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Raul Fernandez (Gaviota Angel Nieto Team) and Filip Salač (Redox PrüstelGP). Rookie Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) was one man to lose out, a crash for the Aragon podium finisher seeing him end Q1 in tenth.

With the final 18 then back on track for Q2, the fight for pole was well and truly on. After the first runs it was Championship leader Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) who sat on top, but that would all change in the last frantic dash as the timesheets took another shuffle and first Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), then Arenas and then, finally, Vietti blasted to the top.

Behind the maiden polesitter, Ramirez slotted into second and pushed Arenas down to P3 as the two Spaniards complete the front row, with Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia) impressing to head the second row as he continues his bounce back from injury. Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) continued his better pace of late to go fifth fastest, with Canet pushed down to the outside of the second row. For the Championship challenger, however, it remains an impressive result as Canet missed the first Thai Grand Prix last year due to injury.

Friday’s fastest man, Andrea Migno (Mugen Race) heads up the third row ahead of Rodrigo, with Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) team taking ninth. Championship leader Dalla Porta was tenth quickest and will want to make some forward progress on race day, joined on the fourth row by Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Dennis Foggia (Sky Racing Team VR46), who took his maiden podium at Buriram last year.

John McPhee (Petronas Yamaha SRT) took P13, just ahead of Raul Fernandez and Makar Yurchenko (BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race). The two riders who were 14th and 15th in Q2, Filip Salač and teammate Jakub Kornfeil, both serve grid penalties and will start 27th and 25th respectively.

Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing) is another rider who was in Q2 with a penalty to serve and he’ll be penultimate on the grid, with only Riccardo Rossi (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) behind him after the Italian was also given a back of the grid start. Darryn Binder (CIP – Green Power) takes his six-place grid penalty given at Aragon and starts 26th.

Moto3 Qualifying Results Thailand

Pos	Rider	Motorcycle	Q	Time/Gap
1	Celestino VIETTI	KTM	Q2	1m42.599
2	Marcos RAMIREZ	HONDA	Q2	+0.118
3	Albert ARENAS	KTM	Q2	+0.152
4	Kaito TOBA	HONDA	Q2	+0.298
5	Alonso LOPEZ	HONDA	Q2	+0.368
6	Aron CANET	KTM	Q2	+0.409
7	Andrea MIGNO	KTM	Q2	+0.574
8	Gabriel RODRIGO	HONDA	Q2	+0.586
9	Tony ARBOLINO	HONDA	Q2	+0.627
10	Lorenzo DALLA PORTA   ITA	HONDA	Q2	+0.705
11	Tatsuki SUZUKI	HONDA	Q2	+0.744
12	Dennis FOGGIA	KTM	Q2	+0.781
13	John MCPHEE	HONDA	Q2	+0.799
14	Filip SALAC	KTM	Q2	+0.847
15	Jakub KORNFEIL	KTM	Q2	+0.890
16	Raul FERNANDEZ	KTM	Q2	+0.935
17	Makar YURCHENKO	KTM	Q2	+1.243
18	Ayumu SASAKI	HONDA	Q2	+1.652
19	Julian Jose GARCIA	HONDA	Q1	+0.264
20	Riccardo ROSSI	HONDA	Q1	+0.309
21	Sergio GARCIA	HONDA	Q1	+0.455
22	Tom BOOTH-AMOS	KTM	Q1	+0.498
23	Stefano NEPA	KTM	Q1	+0.563
24	Ai OGURA	HONDA	Q1	+0.567
25	Deniz ONCU	KTM	Q1	+0.595
26	Davide PIZZOLI	KTM	Q1	+0.789
27	Kazuki MASAKI	KTM	Q1	+0.912
28	Darryn BINDER	KTM	Q1	+1.124
29	Kevin ZANNONI	HONDA	Q1	+1.284

Sunday AEST/AEDT Schedule

Time	Class	Session
1240	Moto3	WUP
1310	Moto2	WUP
1340	MotoGP	WUP
1500	Moto3	Race
1620	Moto2	Race
1800	MotoGP	Race

Source: MCNews.com.au

Round 15 – Thailand, Buriram International Circuit

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Fabio Quartararo headed a Yamaha 1-2-3 in Thailand on Friday ahead of Maverick Vinales and Franco Morbidelli. 

Fabio Quartararo – P1

“I felt really good all day today, and we were able to do a lot of work on our pace, and we went quite fast not only on time attack but also when I was in a rhythm. We’ll need to take some time tomorrow to compare the tyres, but so far I’m really happy with my performance. We know that Marc [Marquez] will be strong, so we’ll need to keep concentrating on our pace because it’s not enough yet. We’ve got some good ideas to try though, and the team and I will work hard tonight on that.”

Maverick Vinales – P2

“This is a track where we’re usually quite fast. We still have some points where we can improve, but I‘m quite happy. We did a good job today and for tomorrow there are still opportunities to further improve, as I said. I‘m quite happy and confident, and we‘ll see where we are after qualifying. There‘s more potential for us in sector 2. Today, I used the tyre that I thought had the most potential. I‘m quite pleased with the lap times and the rhythm, and tomorrow for sure we‘ll make another step.”

Franco Morbidelli – P3

“This afternoon we were able to get into the top three, which is always a positive when you’re not sure how the weather is going to react. It’s quite a pleasant surprise that we were able to top sector two as well, because it’s full of long straights! It was a positive day for us, and the bike is working quite well for me, as it has for a few races now. We’ll have to see what happens if there’s rain tomorrow, but we know we’ve got good speed. We’ll try and improve again, of course, as it will be important to get on the front two rows.”

Jack Miller was the fastest Ducati in P4 while Valentino Rossi made it all four Yamahas in the top five.

Jack Miller – P4

“The feeling is good and the bike is working very well. We tried some solutions and it was an intense day of work. The weather forecast is not good for tomorrow. That’s why our goal today was to be in the Top 10, and we have achieved it convincingly.”

Valentino Rossi – P5

“It was a positive day because all the Yamahas are at the top, they are strong, we are fast. Especially when we put in the softer tyres for the time attack, the bike worked very well. In terms of race pace we suffered a bit more. Our opponents are very strong, so for the race we need to work, especially to make the right tyre choice for the front and rear. For the time attack we are very fast.”

Marc Marquez survived an absolutely monumental crash on Friday morning to bounce back to lead most of FP2 before being gazumped in the dying minutes. Tellingly Marquez never bothered slotting in a soft tyre late in the session, unlike most of the others. Perhaps that was still to just underline his speed, and the ease that he could do it, even after an absolutely frightening crash in the previous session. 

Marc Marquez – P6

“We started the day well but in the last run we had a big crash on our out lap. I was feeling OK when I arrived in the medical centre but we followed the doctor’s procedures and went for some checks. The most important thing is I am OK, I’m in some pain but OK. In the afternoon I was able to ride well and I am happy with what we achieved. We only had to modify our plan a little bit but I was able to be fast immediately.”

Aleix Espargaro again putting in an encouraging performance for Aprilia to finish day one in P7 ahead of Andrea Dovizioso, Joan Mir and Alex Rins.

Aleix Espargaro – P7

“Yesterday we analysed the setup used last year very carefully and we decided to start with a completely different configuration. I felt good straight away, but we still need to improve something in the first two sectors where being able to use a slipstream makes a big difference. If we look at the standings, the gaps are minimal. I think that the positivity we are bringing from Aragón is also making a difference. Now we need to keep working on tyre choice. While I don’t have any big doubts about the front, on the rear I have the possibility of assessing a couple of options. Making the right choice could be vital, especially in the race finale.”

Andrea Dovizioso – P8

“Today I had a good feeling and we did a good job with the set-up: we also tested something important and it went well. We are consistent but there are a lot of quick riders and it’s still difficult to see how everyone is really going on the track. As I said however, I’m happy with the bike and also the tyres are performing well: unfortunately, I have a neck problem and also a sore throat, so I’m taking antibiotics, and in this heat I’m physically struggling a bit, but I hope I won’t suffer too much in the next couple of days”.

Danilo Petrucci was just outside the top ten but only seven-tenths away from Quartararo’s Friday benchmark time.

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Thailand MotoGP Friday Combined Times

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	F.Quartararo	YAMAHA	1m31.170
2	M.Viñales	YAMAHA	+0.193
3	F.Morbidelli	YAMAHA	+0.221
4	J.Miller	DUCATI	+0.294
5	V.Rossi	YAMAHA	+0.329
6	M.Marquez	HONDA	+0.487
7	A.Espargaro	APRILIA	+0.603
8	A.Dovizioso	DUCATI	+0.623
9	J.Mir	SUZUKI	+0.682
10	A.Rins	SUZUKI	+0.690
11	D.Petrucci	DUCATI	+0.711
12	F.Bagnaia	DUCATI	+0.750
13	C.Crutchlow	HONDA	+0.940
14	T.Nakagami	HONDA	+1.020
15	P.Espargaro	KTM	+1.095
16	A.Iannone	APRILIA	+1.108
17	K.Abraham	DUCATI	+1.184
18	T.Rabat	DUCATI	+1.528
19	M.Oliveira	KTM	+1.532
20	J.Lorenzo	HONDA	+1.545
21	M.Kallio	KTM	+1.587
22	H.Syahrin	KTM	+2.180

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Moto2

Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) was the quickest man out the blocks at Buriram on Day 1 of the PTT Thailand Grand Prix, but it wasn’t by much. A stunning performance from Thai rookie Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) put him second overall by only 0.008, with Tetsuta Nagashima (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) rounding out a top three split by an infinitesimal 0.013 on Day 1.

Hot but dry, at least barring the typical humidity, Friday was one of the closest opening days of the season as the top 24 were all within a second. With the weather a question mark for much of the event, getting the most from that track time and trying to secure a place in Q2 was high on the agenda – and it’s less than four tenths that cover those who’ll provisionally go through.

Behind the top three it’s still hundredths deciding the timesheets as Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) finished the day just 0.036 behind his teammate; the Australian taking P4 and just ahead of Championship leader Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS). The number 73 was fifth but only 0.077 off Marini.

Sixth belonged to Italian rookie Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team), with ‘The Beast’ just getting the better of KTM riders Iker Lecuona (American Racing KTM) and Aragon GP winner Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Key title challengers Augusto Fernandez (Flexbox HP 40) and Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up) completed the top ten in P9 and P10 respectively, although Navarro remains just two and a half tenths off the top.

Andrea Locatelli (Italtrans Racing Team) was P11, ahead of Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Marco Bezzecchi (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), with Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) the last man who currently stands to move through should the weather worsen conditions in FP3 on Saturday morning.

There were a few surprise names further down including Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) in P18, just ahead of Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), who crashed in FP2. Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) returned from injury and was 20th despite an FP1 crash, with Mattia Pasini (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2) another faller in the afternoon as he ended the day just behind the German.

Moto2 Friday Combined Times

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	L.Marini	KALEX	1m35.956
2	S.Chantra	KALEX	+0.008
3	T.Nagashima	KALEX	+0.013
4	R.Gardner	KALEX	+0.049
5	A.Marquez	KALEX	+0.077
6	E.Bastianini	KALEX	+0.094
7	I.Lecuona	KTM	+0.104
8	B.Binder	KTM	+0.157
9	A.Fernandez	KALEX	+0.166
10	J.Navarro	SPEED UP	+0.249
11	A.Locatelli	KALEX	+0.308
12	J.Martin	KTM	+0.313
13	M.Bezzecchi	KTM	+0.385
14	T.Luthi	KALEX	+0.391
15	S.Manzi	MV AGUSTA	+0.412
16	D.Aegerter	MV AGUSTA	+0.550
17	N.Bulega	KALEX	+0.561
18	L.Baldassarri	KALEX	+0.576
19	S.Lowes	KALEX	+0.589
20	M.Schrotter	KALEX	+0.600
21	M.Pasini	KALEX	+0.613
22	X.Vierge	KALEX	+0.622
23	X P.Oettl	KTM	+0.925
24	B.Bendsneyde	NTS	+0.928
25	F.Di Giannanto	SPEED UP	+1.007
26	J.Dixon	KTM	+1.020
27	J.Roberts	KTM	+1.143
28	J.Raffin	NTS	+1.578
29	L.Tulovic	KTM	+1.602
30	X.Cardelus	KTM	+2.023
31	A.Norrodin	KALEX	+2.328
32	D.Ekky Pratam	KALEX	+2.671

Moto3

Andrea Migno (WWR) ends Friday at the PTT Thailand Grand Prix as the fastest man in Moto3, with the Italian quickest in FP1 by over a quarter of a second and nobody able to better his laptime in the afternoon. The two men who completed the top three also set their fastest laps in FP1: Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) and Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse), who were second and third respectively.

Conditions at Buriram were as scorching as ever on Day 1 and with weather looking likely to change as the weekend goes on, every bit of dry track time was valuable in the fight for a provisional place in Q2. But despite a flurry of activity at the end of FP2 as the majority of the field pushed to improve, the heat and different track conditions leave the overall timesheets a mixture of best efforts from both sessions.

Behind the top three, all from FP1, the next four all set their best efforts in FP2: Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) was quickest in the afternoon and fourth overall, with Dennis Foggia (Sky Racing Team VR46) – who took his first Grand Prix podium at the venue last year -completing the top five. Jakub Kornfeil (Redox PrüstelGP) was sixth, and by just 0.006, although the Czech rider is now on damage limitation in practice and qualifying after having been given a 12-place grid penalty for slow sectors in FP1. Makar Yurchenko (BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race) was only another 0.004 further back as he impressed to take P7 on Friday.

Eighth overall went the way of Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) as the Spaniard headed up another gaggle of riders who set their best laptimes in FP1. That group comprised Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing) in ninth, Albert Arenas (Gaviota Angel Nieto Team) in tenth and Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing) in P11. Sasaki, however, is another who received a penalty for slow sectors on Friday and his is a back of the grid start.

So where are the Championship leaders? Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) ended the day 12th overall, just ahead of Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia) as the Japanese rider separated him from key title rival Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team). After missing the event through injury last season, this is Canet’s first race weekend at Buriram and he was able to at least secure himself a provisional place in Q2 should the weather change in FP3. The Spaniard was P14 and the last of those who could stand to gain from worsening conditions.

John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was a surprise name to miss out as he was 17th, just behind Aragon podium finisher Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia). Meanwhile Celestino Vietto (Sky Racing Team VR46), who currently leads Ogura in the fight for Rookie of the Year, was 20th on Day 1.

Moto3 Friday Combined Times

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	A.Migno	KTM	1m42.789
2	T.Arbolino	HONDA	+0.252
3	T.Suzuki	HONDA	+0.278
4	G.Rodrigo	HONDA	+0.318
5	D.Foggia	KTM	+0.421
6	J.Kornfeil	KTM	+0.427
7	M.Yurchenko	KTM	+0.431
8	A.Lopez	HONDA	+0.669
9	A.Sasaki	HONDA	+0.692
10	A.Arenas	KTM	+0.768
11	M.Ramirez	HONDA	+0.788
12	L.Dalla Porta	HONDA	+0.794
13	K.Toba	HONDA	+0.802
14	A.Canet	KTM	+0.813
15	F.Salac	KTM	+0.851
16	A.Ogura	HONDA	+0.887
17	J.Mcphee	HONDA	+0.893
18	R.Fernandez	KTM	+0.912
19	S.Nepa	KTM	+0.925
20	C.Vietti	KTM	+0.953
21	J.Garcia	HONDA	+1.063
22	D.Binder	KTM	+1.110
23	T.Booth-Amos	KTM	+1.156
24	D.Oncu	KTM	+1.274
25	R.Rossi	HONDA	+1.291
26	D.Pizzoli	KTM	+1.459
27	K.Masaki	KTM	+1.483
28	S.Garcia	HONDA	+1.742
29	K.Zannoni	HONDA	+1.762

Source: MCNews.com.au

2019 MotoGP

Round 15 – Thailand, Buriram International Circuit

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider Maverick Vinales has topped this morning’s FP1 session with an opening time of 1m30.979 closely followed by rooky rider Fabio Quartararo in second and Marc Marquez in third, both trailing Vinales +0.191 and +0.208 respectively.

Marc Marquez suffers big crash

Marc Marquez has been transported to the medical centre after a serious crash while exiting turn seven just after overtaking Pol Espargaro. Initial reports suggested that the the swingarm of his RCV gave way causing the accident, but from various video feed angles, it at the very least looks like he lost the backend exiting turn seven, causing his motorcycle to somersault with the swingarm and rear wheel being destroyed as it impacted with the tarmac multiple times.

Marquez appeared to be visibly in distress immediately during the aftermath of the accident and was taken to the medial centre by stretcher and in wearing a neck brace. 

Marquez has since been transported to Bangkok for further analysis of his injuries after he reported lower back pain.

More to follow…

MotoGP FP1 Times

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	Maverick VIÑALES	YAMAHA	1m30.979
2	Fabio QUARTARARO	YAMAHA	+0.191
3	Marc MARQUEZ	HONDA	+0.208
4	Andrea DOVIZIOSO	DUCATI	+0.226
5	Jack MILLER	DUCATI	+0.248
6	Valentino ROSSI	YAMAHA	+0.503
7	Franco MORBIDELLI	YAMAHA	+0.590
8	Danilo PETRUCCI	DUCATI	+0.614
9	Joan MIR	SUZUKI	+0.774
10	Francesco BAGNAIA	DUCATI	+0.820
11	Alex RINS	SUZUKI	+0.868
12	Aleix ESPARGARO	APRILIA	+0.886
13	Pol ESPARGARO	KTM	+0.916
14	Takaaki NAKAGAMI	HONDA	+0.968
15	Andrea IANNONE	APRILIA	+1.260
16	Tito RABAT	DUCATI	+1.301
17	Miguel OLIVEIRA	KTM	+1.545
18	Cal CRUTCHLOW	HONDA	+1.575
19	Jorge LORENZO	HONDA	+1.859
20	Mika KALLIO	KTM	+1.898
21	Hafizh SYAHRIN	KTM	+2.054
22	Karel ABRAHAM	DUCATI	+2.150

Source: MCNews.com.au