Posted in: 21/08/2022 – 16:20
Spielberg (Austria) (AFP) – Italy’s Francesco Banana remained steady on the winning path by winning the Austrian Grand Prix, the thirteenth round of the MotoGP World Championship, achieving his third win in a row on Sunday, while French defending champion Fabio Quartararo came second and consolidated his lead.
Banyana led the drivers from start to finish on his Ducati, but world champion Quartararo battled bravely on a track unfavorable to Yamaha, for second place.
The Frenchman consolidated his lead over second-placed Spaniard Alex Espargaro to 32 points, following the latter was satisfied with sixth place, with Banana 44 points behind the title holder with seven races left.
“It was a very long and very difficult race, however I am very happy because it was difficult in the last two laps, I tried to be as calm as possible, so I did nothing wrong,” the 25-year-old said as he won his fifth race of the season.
On the points difference with Quartararo, Banana said, “Fabio is not my focus, I focus on gaining more points to reduce the difference.”
Ranking of the top five in the Austrian Grand Prix:
1- Italy’s Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) 40:14.886 minutes
2- Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), 0.492 seconds behind
3- Australian Jack Miller (Ducati), 2.163sec
4- Italian Luca Marini (Ducati-VR46), 8.348 seconds behind
5- Frenchman Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac) with a difference of 11.287 seconds
Ranking of the top five in the World Championships:
1- Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) 200 points
2. Spain’s Alex Espargaro (Aprilia) 168
3- Italy’s Francesco Bagnana (Ducati) 156
4- Frenchman Johann Zarco (Ducati-Bramark) 125
5- Australian Jack Miller (Ducati) 123
© 2022 AFP