* Rookie
Official Barcelona MotoGP Records:
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Best lap: Aleix Espargaro 1m 38.190s (2024)
Fastest race lap: Pedro Acosta 1m 39.664s (2024)
Takaaki Nakagami kicked off his final full-time MotoGP weekend by dominating the opening practice session, ending up at the top of the timesheets after a series of unexpected incidents framed the session.
Bagnaia down – after the chequered flag
World championship leader Jorge Martin capitalized early in the session, clinching fifth place ahead of his title rival Francesco Bagnaia. However, drama struck as Bagnaia crashed spectacularly into Turn 1 after the session concluded!
Bagnaia, appearing in control, lost his front end when surprised by a forceful outside pass from Maverick Viñales during what should have been a routine practice start.
Vinales later displayed a bewildered ‘what did I do?’ gesture while reviewing the incident in the pit lane, indicative of the chaos that unfolded in the closing moments.
The silver lining for Bagnaia was that he managed to walk away unscathed after yet another practice start mishap, potentially linked to his attempt at a low front-holeshot setting.
In cool, yet dry conditions with air temperatures hovering around 14 degrees, Nakagami, after a mishap, fitted new soft front and medium rear tyres, catapulting himself to 0.4s clear of Pedro Acosta in the final moments of the session.
Like a majority of his competitors, Acosta initially struggled but was soon back on track after a shaky start to the weekend, proving his resilience despite starting from the ground level.
Tech3 team-mates tangle
Red flags were hastily waved a mere six minutes into the session following a bizarre collision between Acosta and his Tech3 teammate Augusto Fernandez as they intersected on the exit of Turn 5.
Fernandez attempted a risky maneuver around the outside of Acosta, who was caught behind Brad Binder, leading to an unfortunate clash. This incident not only brought down both riders but also damaged an air fence, resulting in an immediate halt to the practice.
Fortunately, both riders walked away from the incident, although Acosta appeared visibly shaken as he discussed the mishap with his team back in the pits.
Before the red flag interruption, Michele Pirro found himself involved in a similar predicament, falling victim to the track’s tricky conditions at Turn 5 in the opening minutes.
With the last-minute venue change and cooler temperatures, Michelin has introduced a record-setting seven different tyre options for this weekend’s competition, including four fronts and three rears to accommodate varied strategies.
How Martin can become MotoGP champion in Saturday’s Barcelona Sprint:
- Martin wins the Sprint.
- Martin finishes 2nd and Bagnaia doesn’t win.
- Martin finishes 3rd and Bagnaia doesn’t finish better than 5th.
- Martin finishes 4th and Bagnaia doesn’t finish better than 6th.
- Martin finishes 5th and Bagnaia doesn’t finish better than 7th.
- Martin finishes 6th and Bagnaia doesn’t finish better than 8th.
- Martin finishes 7th and Bagnaia doesn’t finish better than 9th.
- Martin finishes 8th and Bagnaia is 10th or lower.
As the weekend unfolds, Martin maintains a 24-point buffer over Bagnaia, setting the stage for a potential crowning as the premier-class champion. Achieving victory in the Saturday Sprint or outscoring Bagnaia by at least two points would cement his place in history as the first satellite rider to clinch the title in the MotoGP era.
Despite favorable odds, challenging cool conditions and the looming threat of rain suggest that there may be yet another twist in this championship saga, one that Bagnaia himself refers to as a “championship of mistakes.”
Barcelona serves as a last-minute replacement for the traditional finale in Valencia, which was canceled due to devastating flooding in the area.
MotoGP’s earlier visit to the track in May saw Aleix Espargaro making headlines by announcing retirement plans, showcasing a dramatic weekend filled with intense on-track battles and unexpected outcomes.
Marquez, alongside Gresini’s Marquez, holds a narrow 1-point lead over Enea Bastianini in the standings, with a fierce battle for third in the world championship set to play out this weekend.
Fifth overall and the title of top non-Ducati rider is also up for grabs, with rookie Pedro Acosta sitting on a slim three-point lead over future factory KTM teammate Brad Binder.
In an emotional return, Miguel Oliveira is back for his final appearance with Trackhouse after a five-round absence due to wrist injuries sustained in Mandalika.
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro has stepped in for VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio, who is currently sidelined following shoulder surgery.
How does Ia’s ranking impact the overall standings in the MotoGP championship?
Ia doesn’t finish better than 9th.
This weekend’s MotoGP event at Barcelona is shaping up to be an exciting affair, with Jorge Martin looking to capitalize on his current championship standing. The practice sessions showcased some unexpected incidents, including a notable crash from Francesco Bagnaia and the collision between Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez, both of which have heightened the intensity heading into the race. With a plethora of tire options introduced to tackle the variable conditions, team strategies are sure to play a crucial role in the final results. As the spotlight shifts to the Sprint race, all eyes will be on Martin and Bagnaia to see how they navigate this crucial stage of the competition. Stay tuned for the official race updates and results!Conclusion
