Manuel Gonzalez was the fastest during the first free practice session of the Argentine Grand Prix in the Moto2 category, the second race of the 2023 World Championship. The Yamaha-branded VR46 MasterCamp Team rider completed 12 laps, the best in 1'44.185. Behind him are Somkiat Chantra (Team Asia) and Aron Canet (Pons).
Tony Arbolino (Marc VDS), the best Italian, is fifth, behind Filip Salac (Gresini) and in front Peter Acosta (Red Bull Ajo). Seventh beat for Jake dixon, with the Team Aspar driver in front Fermin Aldeguer (SpeedUp), Sam Lowes (Marc VDS) and the rookie of the category Dennis Foggia (Italtrans), author of an excellent session which began on a slightly damp track. But the rain then did not impose itself on the route.
What will this second free practice session for the category in Argentina have in store for us? Before you know it, here is the table that summarizes the facts known so far.
| Argentine GP Moto2™ | 2022 |
2023 |
| P1 |
1'43.356 Fermín Aldeguer |
1'44.185 Manuel Gonzalez |
| P2 |
1'43.502 Fermín Aldeguer |
1'43.172 Tony Arbolino |
| P3 |
Canceled |
|
| Q1 | 1'44.132 Cameron Beaubier | |
| Q2 |
1'43.306 Fermín Aldeguer |
|
| Warm up |
1'42.547 Fermín Aldeguer |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX |
| Course | Vietti, Chantra, Ogura | |
| All time lap record |
1'42.547 Fermín Aldeguer |
25° in the air and 31° on a dry track are the conditions proposed to the pilots for the 40 minutes of exercise. Ai Ogura continues the game...
fit! @AiOgura79 got the all-clear in his medical check after P1 ✅#ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/5chKSzm6MV
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 31, 2023
The first reference goes to Chantra in 1'43.449. Arbolino, Gonzalez, Acosta et Aldeguer follow.
Plenty of lead changes already! 👊 @somkiat35 goes quickest ahead of @TonyArbolino and @18ManuGonzalez ️#ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/CKAMbRdPYh
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 31, 2023
Dixon made a miraculous rescue.
How did he manage to stay on? 😮
Kudos to @jakedixonracing on pulling off that monster save 🤯#ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/vdlBkKxVnq
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 31, 2023
After the first quarter of an hour, Chantra leads the way in 1'43.298 ahead Arbolino, Aldeguer, Acosta et Gonzalez. In the peloton, things are heating up.
Eeeeek that was closed! 😱#ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/RCpwpXtSxe
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 31, 2023
Another big moment with # Moto2 rookie @dennisfoggia71 involved⚠️
It was with @37_pedroacosta at T7 this time around! #ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/nw2eiP9sJk
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 31, 2023
Apart from one Sam Lowes taking the top 5 border post to Manuel Gonzalez nothing is moving in the leading hierarchy as the last ten minutes have begun.
Aron Canet and @18ManuGonzalez just joined the @jakedixonracing save club ✌️#ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/DKbqB8px97
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 31, 2023
While scattered drops sow doubt Salac comes out of the ranks in 1'43.238. Arbolino et DixonHe follows in the leading trio. We're entering the last five minutes and for now Drive is in Q1.
🔥 @FilipSalac12 ⚔️ @TonyArbolino for the top spot
Are we going to see more of this throughout the weekend?#ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/LCdnIJDdFG
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 31, 2023
Under the checkered flag, it's Arbolino who takes the session in 1'43.172 ahead Salac Acosta, Dixon et Chantra. Canet is sixth ahead Lowes. Alonso Lopez closes the top 10 and Joe Roberts the Top 14 where you have to score to be in Q2. It is therefore a disappointment for Drive...
Lap canceled for Celestino Vietti due to track limits 💔
The Italian just missed out on the Top 14! #ArgentinaGP 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/BBV1f2MftS
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 31, 2023
Moto2 Argentina P2: times
Credit classification motogp.com
