The Repsol Honda rider has held the Thai circuit record since the February tests but he has not found the same sensations. Anyway, he is not very far away and can plan to have a good race tomorrow.
Dani Pedrosa has returned to the forefront for a few Grands Prix after having experienced a difficult half of the season. He is still missing a first podium this year, and he could hope to achieve it on the Buriram circuit given his ease during the February tests.
The Spanish driver did not find the same sensations and was not as dominant. First thirteenth in FP1 and eighth in FP2, he then finished sixth in FP3 and eighth in FP4. Ready for qualifying, he encountered some difficulties but still managed to qualify seventh, only three tenths from pole position.
If Pedrosa doesn't make a mistake in his tire choice tomorrow, he could move up and, why not, finally get on the podium: “Today, in qualifying, I missed a few tenths on my fast lap, but it was enough to be just behind the first two rows. Our first tire wasn't as good as the second, and we had to play our cards in the last run. I tried to improve my performance and it was actually my best lap of the weekend, but it wasn't enough. Regardless, we are reducing our gap with the leaders, and that is positive. As for the race, we'll see. I think the choice of rear tire is still open, so we need to analyze everything well before making a decision for tomorrow. »
Thai Grand Prix, Buriram, MotoGP J.2: Chronos.
1 93 Marc MARQUEZ Honda 1'30.088
2 46 Valentino ROSSI Yamaha 1'30.099 0.011 0.011
3 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati 1'30.227 0.139 0.128
4 25 Maverick VIÑALES Yamaha 1'30.328 0.240 0.101
5 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW Honda 1'30.356 0.268 0.028
6 29 Andrea IANNONE Suzuki 1'30.419 0.331 0.063
7 26 Dani PEDROSA Honda 1'30.458 0.370 0.039
8 5 Johann ZARCO Yamaha 1'30.471 0.383 0.013
9 9 Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati 1'30.599 0.511 0.128
10 43 Jack MILLER Ducati 1'30.660 0.572 0.061
11 42 Alex RINS Suzuki 1'30.738 0.650 0.078
12 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA Ducati 1'30.976 0.888 0.238
Q1 Results:
Q2 93 Marc MARQUEZ Honda 1'30.031
Q2 42 Alex RINS Suzuki 1'30.921 0.890 0.890
13 21 Franco MORBIDELLI Honda 1'30.923 0.892 0.002
14 30 Takaaki NAKAGAMI Honda 1'30.995 0.964 0.072
15 38 Bradley SMITH KTM 1'31.207 1.176 0.212
16 41 Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia 1'31.243 1.212 0.036
17 17 Karel ABRAHAM Ducati 1'31.374 1.343 0.131
18 55 Hafizh SYAHRIN Yamaha 1'31.389 1.358 0.015
19 44 Pol ESPARGARO KTM 1'31.399 1.368 0.010
20 10 Xavier SIMEON Ducati 1'31.686 1.655 0.287
21 81 Jordi TORRES Ducati 1'31.819 1.788 0.133
22 12 Thomas LUTHI Honda 1'31.830 1.799 0.011
23 45 Scott REDDING Aprilia 1'31.835 1.804 0.005
