2023-08-18 14:40:28
Published on August 18, 2023 at 4:40 p.m. – updated on August 18, 2023 at 4:44 p.m. Mathieu Warnier
Marco Bezzecchi took advantage of the official practice session for the Austrian Grand Prix to break the Red Bull Ring record. The Italian was ahead of Maverick Viñales and Francesco Bagnaia. Fifth, Johann Zarco will be there for Q2 as will Fabio Quartararo, ninth.
We will still have to rely on Marco Bezzecchi this weekend. Having made a mistake at Silverstone two weeks ago, the driver of the VR46 team was the fastest during the official practice session of the Austrian Grand Prix, decisive for direct access to Q2. A one-hour session which came alive in the final minutes despite the threat of rain, which was expected at the Red Bull Ring this Friday followingnoon but which did not disrupt the progress of the drivers on the track. Marco Bezzecchi seized the opportunity to beat the circuit record held since last year by Jorge Martin. With a lap of 1’58”533, the current third in the championship has settled at the top of the time sheet and has not been dislodged from it., despite a mechanical breakdown which deprived him of the last moments of the session, being taken back to the pits on a scooter driven by… Valentino Rossi himself. Comfortable from the start of the session, Maverick Viñales pushed but fails 44 thousandths of a second behind the Italian when reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia was only able to close to 288 thousandths in a last effort.
A driver of choice for Bezzecchi following a breakdown at the end of the tests ????
The VR46 pilot keeps the first position ????#AustrianGP ???????? | #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/9yKhoqGu9s
— CANAL+ MotoGP™ (@CanalplusMotoGP) August 18, 2023
Zarco and Quartararo did not disappoint
Behind this trio, Brad Binder placed his KTM in fourth place as the Austrian firm plays at home this weekend. The South African was 58 thousandths of a second ahead of Johann Zarco, who might not confirm the good sensations seen in the morning. Indeed, the Pramac driver had been the fastest in the first free practice session and had pushed back his closest pursuer to four tenths of a second during these 45 minutes now devoted to work on the settings. A pursuer who was none other than his compatriot Fabio Quartararo. After the snub at Silverstone, with a last place in qualifying, “El Diablo” made sure from this Friday to take place on one of the first four rows of the starting grid for the two races of the weekend. With the ninth time, just over six tenths from Marco Bezzecchi, “El Diablo” will participate in Q2 this Saturday morning, which has only happened to him four times since the start of the season. Marc Marquez, despite a constant attack, might not do better than the thirteenth time and will have to go through the repechage this Saturday during qualifying.
MOTOGP / AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
Ranking of the official practice session – Friday August 18, 2023
1- Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati VR46) in 1’28”533
2- Maverick Viñales (ESP/Aprilia) at 0”044
3- Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) at 0”288
4- Brad Binder (AFS / KTM) at 0”330
5- Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati Pramac) at 0”388
6- Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati Pramac) at 0”479
7- Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) at 0”519
8- Alex Marquez (ESP/Ducati Gresini) at 0”563
9- Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) at 0”622
10- Miguel Oliveira (POR/Aprilia RNF) at 0”627
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#MotoGP #Austrian #Tests #Bezzecchi #beats #circuit #record #Zarco #Quartararo
