The Indian miracle illuminated Honda and Yamaha, usual occupants at the bottom of the classification this year. In the first contact with the Buddh International Circuit, a new setting for MotoGP, Marc Márquez achieved the fourth best time, Joan Mir, 10th, and Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo, 8th. The three riders entered Q2 on Saturday (8:15 Spanish time) to compete for pole position with the Ducati and Aprilia.
These were the most notable notes in the debut of the Indian GP, dominated by Luca Marini in the pre-qualifying session (Practice).
The lack of references and settings adapted in advance to a new circuit where MotoGP had never been raced (only Formula 1, a decade ago, in the 2011-13 three-year period) meant that the pilots went out onto the track practically blind. They had only 'seen' it with their game consoles and in some videos from a bird's eye view (or from a drone).
Thus, in the first morning session, the two Repsol Honda riders, usually at the back, were second (Marc Márquez) and tenth (Joan Mir); Bezzecchi's Ducati dominated. Fabio Quartararo was 19th. He was unusual for the three of them. Without going any further, in the recent Catalunya GP, three weeks ago, the Hondas and the Yamahas took over the last six positions on Friday.
For Márquez it was practically miraculous: since his favorite Sachsenring circuit in June, the Cervera driver had not achieved such a good result in practice. In Germany, the 93 came to lead the FP3. In India, he was just a tenth behind Bezzecchi.
The acclimatization to the Indian circuit left moments of difficulty, such as the braking of Turn 1, one of the critical points of the route, or the gravel escapes, very deep and thick with stones, so it was difficult for anyone who fell to get out. own foot.
The afternoon session was dominated by the Ducatis of Bezzecchi, Martín and only at the end, Marini, with the opposition of the two Aprilias of Viñales and Espargaró, who managed to set better laps.
This Saturday the Sprint Race will be held at 12:00 (Spanish time) and previously, the qualifying session (from 7:50 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.).
