MotoGP Thailand Qualifying LIVE: Jorge Martin sends a message to Francesco Bagnaia!

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Friday practice for the Thai Grand Prix at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, 17th of 20 stages of the world championship MotoGPhas already delivered its verdict, preselecting the 10 fastest for direct access to the first four rows of the starting grid: Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) are guaranteed to participate in Qualification-2, and therefore to appear on the first four rows of the starting grid.

In which order ? We will soon find out since the answer will be given after two 15-minute sessions, the first being used to select the two fastest drivers among those not pre-qualified. With extremely tight times on Friday, there are also prestigious surnames, starting with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) itself, for the moment failed by 65 thousandths…

While waiting to discover more, when the 21 official drivers (Alex Rins package) are getting ready, the sky is clear and the temperatures are 30° in the air and 45° on the ground.

What will the rest of this have in store for us? Thailand Grand Prix, 17th round of the season? Before you know it, here is the table that summarizes the facts known so far.

Thailand Buriram MotoGP™

2022

2023

FP1

1’30.523 Marc Marquez (See here)

 1’30.520 Jorge Martin (See here)
Practice

1’30.281 Johann Zarco (See here)

1’29.826 Jorge Martin (See here)
FP2

1’30.205 Jorge Martin (See here)

1’30.550 Maverick Vinales (See here)
FP4

1’30.830 Johann Zarco (See here)

XXXXX
Q1

1’30.038 Marc Marquez (See here)

 1’29.743 Alex Marquez (See here)
Q2

1’29.671 Marco Bezzecchi (See here)

1’29.287 Jorge Martin (See here)
Sprint

XXXXX

 (See here)
Warm up

1’30.360 Pecco Bagnaia (See here)

 (See here)
Race

Oliveira, Miller, Bagnaia (See here)

 (See here)
Record

1’29.671 Marco Bezzecchi (2022) (See here)

1’29.287 Jorge Martin (See here)

Qualification-1:

As often now, Fabio Di Giannantonio is the first to set off when the red lights go out.

15 minutes to fit two new rear tires with the exit turns and the re-entry turns, that doesn’t leave a lot of time to waste…

Marc Marquez looking for a wheel but there isn’t one!

The two Gresini drivers ride together and Alex Marquez set a first benchmark in 1’30.197 ahead of his teammate.

On the next pass, the Catalan improved to 1’29.892, a very good time which surpasses his brother’s efforts by 0.166 seconds.

At this moment of the session, when going to the box, the hierarchy is made up of Alex Marquez, Marc Marquez, Pol Espargaro, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Jack Miller, Raul Fernandez, Takaaki Nakagami, Franco Morbidelli, Miguel Oliveira, Joan Mir and Enea Bastianini.

When we resume, everyone is waiting behind Alex Marquez, like in Moto3. Time is running out and he has no choice but to lead the group… before relaxing his efforts.

During this time, Raul Fernandez rides alone and achieves the second time.

Everything will therefore be decided in the last 2 laps, and the sectors will finally light up red almost everywhere. Marc Marquez achieves the best time in 1’29.830, Fabio Di Giannantonio the second.

In the last round, Alex Marquez regains the advantage in 1’29.743, and these are good the two Marquez brothers who are drafted for Q2!

Results of Qualifying-1 of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram:

Qualification-2:

When the red lights go out… once is not usual, Fabio Quartararo rushes first.

As in Q1, everyone is in medium/medium.

The first reference is logically established by El Diablo in 1’30.503, but this time is immediately moved back a notch by Marco Bezzecchi in 1’30.114. We remind you that the Italian promised to go under 1’29 and improve the circuit record which belongs to him!

But in the next passage, it is Jorge Martin who already owns this record in 1’29.491!

Francesco Bagnaia doesn’t look really comfortable, and at the end of the first run, the table shows Jorge Martin, Marco Bezzecchi, Brad Binder, Aleix Espargaro, Fabio Quartararo, Francesco Bagnaia, Johann Zarco, Maverick Vinales, Luca Marini, Augusto Fernandez, while Alex Márquez and Marc Márquez, just drafted, have still not recorded a time.

On resumption, Francesco Bagnaia does not want to be hindered and goes back to third position, but on the next pass there are still five of them lighting the first sector in red…

In the last round, Jorge Martin does even better by posting 1’29.287 ahead Luca Marini, Aleix Espargaro and Marco Bezzecchi. The game is over and no one will improve. Small disappointment for the French who seemed to be able to be more competitive.

13th pole position for Jorge Martin !

See you at 10:00 a.m. for the 13-lap Sprint!

Results of Qualifying-2 of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram:

Credit rankings: MotoGP.com


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