While the day was eventful with in particular the violent fall of Pol Espargaro, Jack Miller set the fastest time on the handlebars of his KTM, with the Portimão circuit record, ahead of Francesco Bagnaia and Luca Marini. Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco have climbed into the Top 10 and will compete in Q2.
No one expected such a performance! If KTM had been able to place Brad Binder in the Top 10 of the pre-season tests disputed last weekend, nothing indicated that the Austrian brand would be able to compete with Ducati and Aprilia. But it was without counting on Jack Miller. A defector from the world champion team during the winter, the Australian has once again demonstrated all his talent.
In his last attempt during the second free practice session of the Portuguese Grand Prix, “Thriller” Miller slapped the circuit record set during these tests by Francesco Bagnaia. With a lap of 1’37”709, the driver from the Mattighofen firm got everyone to agree. On the handlebars of his Aprilia, Maverick Viñales fails 37 thousandths of a second from the reference when the reigning world champion completes the Top 3 at 147 thousandths. Two other Ducatis, those of Luca Marini and Jorge Martin, take fourth and fifth place respectively.
Quartararo and Zarco provide the essentials
With the addition of a sprint race on Saturday, the whole weekend format has been turned upside down and the drivers must now give their all on Friday. Indeed, it is now at the end of the two Friday sessions that the Top 10 qualify directly for Q2. Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco will not miss the fight for pole position this Saturday at midday.
While Marc Marquez took pleasure in systematically putting himself in his wheel at the end of the session, paying for it with a fall in the last moments, “El Diablo” knew how to give everything when necessary. Excluded from the Top 10 at the very end of the session, the 2021 world champion gave everything to return to 306 thousandths of the best time and settle in sixth place. The Habs are ahead of their compatriot Johann Zarco, seventh, by 97 thousandths of a second. Marco Bezzecchi, Aleix Espargaro and Enea Bastianini complete the Top 10 when the twelve other drivers will have to fight for the last two places in Q2 this Saturday.
Concern for P.Espargaro
For the Aprilia rider, the end of the second free practice session was not easy since his brother Pol Espargaro suffered a very violent fall at the start of the last quarter of an hour. The red flag was immediately released to allow rescuers to intervene with the Gasgas Tech3 pilot. Conscious but also able to move and bet according to the information of Canal+the Spaniard was first evacuated by ambulance to the medical center of the circuit then was transported by helicopter to the Faro hospital in order to undergo additional examinations.
In a statement, MotoGP confirms Pol Espargaro suffers from ‘back and chest trauma’. A red flag which was the second to interrupt this session. Indeed, a technical problem related to the timing system forced the drivers to return to the paddock for just under half an hour. After these first two sessions, the drivers will have the last 30 minutes on the track to fine-tune the settings for qualifying. then the long-awaited sprint race this Saturday.
MOTOGP / PORTUGAL GRAND PRIX
Cumulative ranking of free practice – Friday March 24, 2023
1- Jack Miller (AUS/KTM) in 1’37”709
2- Maverick Viñales (ESP/Aprilia) at 0”037
3- Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) at 0”147
4- Luca Marini (ITA/Ducati VR46) at 0”190
5- Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati Pramac) at 0”282
6- Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) at 0”306
7- Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati Pramac) at 0”403
8- Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati VR46) at 0”449
9- Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) at 0”544
10- Enea Bastianini (ITA/Ducati) at 0”547
…
The Top 10 at the end of the two sessions qualify directly for Q2.
