MARQUEZ TOPS DAY ONE AND GETS Q2 SLOT AT SEPANG
With a time that is very close to the lap record, Alex Marquez completes a first day of absolute performance at the Malaysian track. His 1’57.823secs time set towards the end of FP2 was merely 0.033secs slower than Jorge Martin’s current record (2022). The Spanish rider, who tackled this opening day of action with some temperature, was comfortable aboard his Ducati machine #73 already from the early laps, in what was one of his best Fridays of the career in the premier class (he was second in FP1 and first in FP2).
It was a positive day also for Fabio Di Giannantonio despite the Italian was unable to get directly in Q2 (although the top ten was only 0.2secs away). The Italian finished with a 1’58.709secs lap-time, eight tenths away from his teammate at the top of the timesheets.
Qualifying for Team Gresini MotoGP will begin tomorrow at 10:50 local time (GMT +8), while the sprint race will get underway at 15:00.
1st – ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’57.823)
“Sometimes to take to the track and things come to you naturally… Today was one of those days, we were comfortable and competitive in dry conditions from the get-go. We’re working on the tyre side of things in order to be ready for Sunday, but generally speaking we’re good. It could rain tomorrow, but I like this type of conditions so there shouldn’t be any issue if it happens. I’m not sure if I was expecting to break the 1’58s barrier, but as I already said we were comfortable so it went well. The goal for tomorrow is to do a good qualifying in order to start from the front of the grip and save some tyre.
14º – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO (1’58.709)
“Unfortunately, as often happens, I don’t feel good physically here in Malaysia. Between this and some things to adjust on both bikes set-up wise, we weren’t perfect today. But we’re not too far away, we need to work well today and possibly get some good rest tonight.”
