At the Indonesian Grand Prix, Somkiat Chantra took his first Moto2 victory, becoming the first Thai to win in Grand Prix history. It was also the first podium finish for a Thai driver. Thailand becomes the 15th different country to win in Moto2 since 2010. Thailand is tied with the Czech Republic and Belgium with one victory in the category so far…
Celestine Vietti finished second at Mandalika for his second Moto2 podium in addition to his victory at the Qatar Grand Prix. Aron Canet was third for his seventh Moto2 podium, tying Dominique Aegerter et Alex De Angelis.
The six Moto2 races at Termas de Rio Hondo were won by five riders, two of whom now race in MotoGP: Tito Rabat (2014) Johann zarco (2015 and 2016), Franco Morbidelli (2017) Mattia Pasini (2018) et Lorenzo Baldassarri (2019). None of the current riders have won in Moto2 at Termas de Rio Hondo. Sam Lowes (2015 and 2016) is the only driver on the grid to be on the podium of the circuit.
The presentations made that these FP1s will have in store for us which seal the reunion of the discipline with the Termas de Rio Hondo route since the last appearance in 2019? Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.
|
Argentine GP Moto2™ |
2019 |
2022 |
| FP1 |
1'44.220 Luca Marini |
1'43.356 Fermín Aldeguer |
| FP2 |
1'43.353 Tom Lüthi |
|
| FP3 |
1'42.815 Remy Gardner |
|
| Q1 |
1'42.987 Simone Corsi |
|
| Q2 |
1'42.726 Xavi Virgo |
|
| Warm up |
1'42.693 Marcel Schrötter |
|
| Course | Baldassarri, Gardner, Á. Marquez | |
| All time lap record |
1'42.693 Marcel Schrötter 2019 |
It's 15° in the air and 19° on the track. It's sunny.
It's a glorious morning for some # Moto2 action! 🤩
The riders make their way onto track for FP1! 🙌#ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/8NvN6WulAQ
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 2, 2022
Chantra takes control in 1.46.559s in front Dixon et Roberts.
Very quickly Canet goes on the offensive and regains the leadership in 1.45.974s. It is immediately taken over by Chantra (1.45.597s) then by Acosta in 1.45.362s.Drive gets involved and lands in 2nd position.The provisional top5 consists of Acosta, Vietti, Chantra, Arbolino and Canet.
First time at Termas and @37_pedroacosta is setting the early pace! 🔥
Great start to the day for the # Moto3 champion! 💪# Moto2 | #ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/j2xEN2qHyX
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 2, 2022
Fernandez in turn takes the reference time in 1.44.551s. Aldeguer, very comfortable, has just placed 2nd, he runs in 1.44.711s. Chantra, Canet and Acosta complete this top5.
The best seat in the house! 🙌
A Sothern Lapwing getting close to the action! 👀# Moto2 | #ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/8no7343gdM
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 2, 2022
kick of Roberts.
Chantra insists and improves for the position of the leader, he achieves a lap time of 1.44.290s. It is immediately taken over by Fernandez who doesn't let up in 1.44.206s.
Somkiat Chantra is riding the crest of a wave! 🙌
The Mandalika winner is carrying his form into the #ArgentinaGP and currently sits in 2nd! 🤩# Moto2 pic.twitter.com/hEEnSHaJxV
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 2, 2022
Fall ofAcosta in turn 2.
There are 33 minutes left in this first session, the top 10 is made up of: Fernández, Chantra, Canet, Aldeguer, Navarro, Acosta, Dixon, Vietti, Schrötter and Ogura.
Chantra returns to the forefront in 1.44.181s. The Thai driver pushes further and improves his own time: he sets a time. in turn 1.44.133s. Alas the troublemaker in the person of Fernandez takes this precious asset back from him by passing the 1.44 mark, he sets a time in 1.43.847s.
Drive does the job… 12th for the moment.
Two podiums including a win in the opening two rounds for Celestino Vietti 🏆
The championship leader is easing his way into the weekend as he sits on the fringes of the top 10! 💪# Moto2 | #ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/gmVSdI9BjR
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 2, 2022
Fernandez very consistent since the start of the session, improves further: he runs in 1.43.641s. He is followed by Chantra, Navarro, Aldeguer, Beaubier, Dixon, Arbolino, Canet, Bendsneyder and Acosta which complete this provisional top10.
There are 19 minutes left for all drivers to improve their respective times.
Acosta patient while her motorcycle is being repaired following her fall.
Race is on to get @37_pedroacosta back on track for the rest of FP1! 👊
The Spaniard had a fall earlier at turn 2 but thankfully he's ok but the bike needs some work! 🔧# Moto2 | #ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/3f9bJWncK6
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 2, 2022
And meanwhile Fernandez, the teammate ofAcosta unfolds and makes its mark by positioning itself at the head of the peloton...
It's a hot pace during the opening # Moto2 session of the weekend!🔥
Everyone is chasing @Afernandez37 at the top of the times! 🎯# Moto2 | #ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/2oIfaSm2FX
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 2, 2022
Another 10 minutes and ahead the positions change very little: Fernández holds the line in 1.43.641s ahead of Chantra, Aldeguer, Navarro, Lowes, Vietti, Beaubier, Dixon, Arbolino and Canet.
Great effort from the @ITALTRANS mechanics getting @Joerobertsracer's bike fixed for the rest of this session after an earlier fall! 👏
The longer session is giving teams the chance to get their rider back on track! 🙌 # Moto2 | #ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/2d4f1qWdrC
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 2, 2022
4min left in 1st session and ahead Fernandez drives the point home by improving: it now runs in 1.43.539s. Chantra, Aldeguer, Vietti, and Canet bring up the rear of this top5
Aldeguer took the lead at the wire in 1.43.356s ahead of Fernández, Chantra, Arbolino and Canet.
End of session: Aldeguer the fastest ahead of Fernández, Chantra, Arbolino and Canet. Acosta is ranked 18th.
Sensational session from @Aldeguer54! 🤩
The 16-year-old rookie tops the opening # Moto2 session of the weekend!🔝#ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/WMqle49FNA
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 2, 2022
Results of FP1 of the Argentine Moto2 Grand Prix at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
