2023-10-13 07:28:39
The disastrous performance of the Honda drivers continued during the first training session at the Indonesian GP on the Mandalika Street Circuit on the holiday island of Lombok. All four Honda regular drivers lost more than 1 second to the best time. 13. Nakagami. 13. M. Marquez. 18. Me. 21. Rins.
At least Marc Márquez and Alex Rins can console themselves with the thought that they will only have to endure the lame Honda RC213V at five more Grand Prix, then they will get on their new vehicles for the first time on November 28th at the IRTA winter test in Valencia – the Ducati GP23 and YZR-M1 Yamaha.
“But I want to finish these last Grand Prix with Honda properly,” said Marc Márquez. «Because we have won six world championships in seven years. After that we will discover what my future will look like with the new team and the new motorcycle.”
Marc Márquez signed a letter of intent with Gresini Racing just yesterday morning in Indonesia. Then Marc and Gresini went public with the news. “I waited because I didn’t want any distractions at the Grand Prix,” said the 59-time MotoGP winner. “It was only on Wednesday here in Indonesia that we clarified some contract details with Gresini. I had different plans, staying with Honda was an option because I had certain doubts and didn’t want to let my loyal team down. In the end, I had very detailed discussions with all members of my technical team. They are all my friends and gave me advice in a friendly way which helped me a lot to make a decision. Then I was able to think regarding what was the best solution for me personally. I then decided to take at least one mechanic with me to Gresini. That won’t be a problem, I guess.”
The word has now gotten around in Mandalika: Márquez will only bring Javi Ortiz with him to Gresini. He takes over the crew chief from Fabio Di Giannantonio: Frankie Carchedi, world champion with Joan Mir in the Suzuki factory team in 2020.
«But I can’t bring the whole team with me to Gresini. For two reasons. Firstly, I don’t want to destroy the Repsol Honda team. We are now in October and they would have to put together a whole new team at short notice. I also don’t want to cause any unrest at Gresini, because they act like a family and have a very well-coordinated technical crew. So I have to adapt to the new situation.”
Will Marc Márquez be on the Ducati Desmosedici GP23 from Gresini Racing in Valencia on November 28th despite the valid Honda contract? “This has not yet been confirmed. But it looks like it will work.”
As a reminder, when Casey Stoner moved from Ducati to Repsol-Honda following four years following the 2010 season, the Italians ended up allowing him to take part in the Valencia test on November 10th. But he had to drive with pure white fairing – and stuck a picture of a kangaroo on the fairing. Casey immediately set the fastest time.
Result MotoGP FP1, Mandalika, October 13th, 2023
1. Martin, Ducati, 1:31.811 min
2. Viñales, Aprilia, +0.102
3. Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia, + 0.536 sec
4. Morbidelli, Yamaha, +0.730
5. Bezzecchi, Ducati, +0.741
6. Bagnaia, Ducati, +0.759
7. Miller, KTM, + 0,835
8. Binder, KTM, + 0,857
9. Bastianini, Ducati, +0.952
10. Marini, Ducati, + 1,000
11. Di Giannantonio, Ducati, +1,040
12. Quartararo, Yamaha, + 1,057
13. Nakagami, Honda, +1,067
14. Marc Márquez, Honda +1,082
15. Zarco, Ducati, +1,290
16. Augusto Fernández, KTM, + 1,328
17. Raúl Fernández, Aprilia, +1,437
18. Mir, Honda, +1,620
19. Oliveira, Aprilia, + 1,636
20. Alex Márquez, Ducati, + 1,745
21. Kidneys, Honda, +1,849
22. Pol Espargaró, KTM, +2,736
Result Moto2 FP1, Mandalika, October 13th, 2023
1. Gonzalez, Kalex, 1:34,871 min
2. Canet, Kalx, + 0,360 sec
3. Dixon, Kalex, +0.389
4. Lowes, Kalex, + 0,471
5. Ogura, Kalex, + 0,513
6. Chantra, Kalex, + 0.541
7. Arenas, Kalex, + 0,567
8. Aldeguer, Boscoscuro, + 0.576
9. Foggia, Kalex, + 0,644
10. Arbolino, Kalex, .767
further:
29. Tulovic, Kalex, + 2,696
30. Acosta, Kalex, +3,473
(World Championship leader Pedro Acosta from the Red Bull KTM Ajo team crashed following the first timed lap).
Result Moto3 FP1, Mandalika, October 13th, 2023
1.Moreira, KTM, 1:40,590 min
2. Loose, KTM, + 0.421 sec
3. Wheel, KTM, + 0.630
4. Kelso, CFMOTO, + 0,776
5. Pioneer, KTM, +0.801
6. Sasaki, Husqvarna, +0.541
7. Bertelle, Honda, +0.886
8. Ortola, KTM, + 0.972
9. Artigas, CFMOTO, +1,111
10. Munõz, KTM, + 1,124
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#takes #mechanic