Indonesian GP Practice Results

The Mandalika International Circuit hosts the fifteenth round of the MotoGP season this weekend. The Indonesian track saw Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia) finish the opening day as the fastest rider, with a time of 1:30.474.

The Top 10 was completed by Maverick Viñales, Marco Bezzecchi, Brad Binder, Jorge Martín, Marc Márquez, Miguel Oliveira, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Jack Miller and Fabio Quartararo.

Another free practice session will take place on Saturday at 4:10 (CEST), before qualifying at 4:50. The Indonesian GP sprint race will begin at 9:00.

Marc Márquez moves into Q2

Returning to a circuit that is not yet well known to the MotoGP riders the Repsol Honda Team used the day as a way of adapting and progressing for the rest of the weekend.

Marc Márquez closed the morning session in 14th position. In the afternoon, where the drivers had a full hour to attempt to make it into Q2, he improved his pace and managed to break into the Top 10, in sixth.

Joan Mir finished the first session of the day in 18th position. In the decisive afternoon run, the Repsol Honda Team rider improved his feeling but, in the final stages when he was on course for his best time, he suffered a crash that prevented him from making the cut. He will be forced to go through Q1 for the Indonesian Grand Prix.

Indonesian GP Practice Results

Statements

Marc Márquez

“Today went a bit better than expected, jumping straight to Q2 was above what we thought was possible. Last year I struggled a lot here, but I am already feeling a lot better and I felt comfortable throughout the day. It was a little bit careful after the crash last year and with so many races in a row. The objective for tomorrow is to get the best starting position possible, so let’s see what steps we can make overnight.”

Joan Mir

“It was a day of improvements. The base we had this morning wasn’t what we needed but, in the afternoon, we made a step in a good direction. Everything was working better, and I was feeling quite good, especially with used tyres. During my first attempt at a time attack I came across Marc on the track and he had a moment which disturbed my lap. On the second run, I was behind Pecco and there were yellow flags for the first two laps. On the final lap I was doing a good lap, I think good enough for the top ten, but I fell coming into the last sector. It’s a shame but we can fight for more tomorrow.”