Moto2 Austin FP2: Raúl Fernandez dominates this first Texan day

Raul Fernandez after testing the KTM MotoGP during the Misano tests, has not lost his sensations with the Kalex Moto2. In Austin, he indeed achieved the best time in the first free practice session of the Grand Prix of the Americas, fifteenth stage of the 2021 world championship. Red Bull driver Ajo who stopped the clock with a time of 2'13,589 , ahead of Bo Bendsneyder (SAG Team) by 0,197 s and Marcos Ramirez (American Racing) by 0,211 s.

Marcel schrotter (Intact GP) is fourth, followed byAugusto Fernandez (Marc VDS), from Jake dixon (Petronas) and the local pilot Cameron Beaubier (American Racing). The rookie Tony Arbolino (Intact GP), the Malaysian Hafiz Syahrin (NTS) and Aron Canet (Boscoscuro Aspar) close the Top Ten. The leader of the world ranking Remy gardner  who also tested the KTM MotoGP during the Misano tests, is eleventh, ahead of rookie Boscoscuro Aspar, Albert Arenas et Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini).

We will recall that Stefano manzi is disqualified for FP1 and FP2 due to his participation in the World Supersport race in Jerez and the lack of communication with the Federation.

What will this second free practice session have in store for us? Austin ? Before answering this question, here is the table that always refreshes our memory.

Moto2 ™	2019	2021
FP1	2'10.853 Marcel Schrötter	2'13.589 Raul Fernandez
FP2	2'09.982 Marcel Schrötter	2'09.880 Raúl Fernandez
FP3	Canceled due to thunderstorms
Q1	2'11.712 Jorge Martin
Q2	2'10.875 Marcel Schrötter
Warm up	2'11.016 Alex Marquez
Course	Lüthi, Schrötter, Navarro
All time lap record	2'08.850 Alex Rins 2016

It's 31,1° in the air and 41,1° on the track. The weather is nice despite a few clouds.

It is Gardner which signs the reference time in 2.12.424s. He is ahead Arbolino, Di Giannantonio, Bulega and Bendsneyder.

Nagashima replaces Dallas Port injured, whose season unfortunately ended following a tendon problem.

R. Fernandez in turn takes control in 2.11.522s. Arbolino, Lowes, Bezzecchi and Navarro follow in his footsteps.

Much better track conditions than this morning…

Great heat between Gardner et Nagashima...

There are 21 minutes left in this FP2, the 14 who are currently provisionally qualified for Q2 are: R. Fernandez, Lowes, Arbolino, A. Fernandez, Bezzecchi, Canet, Navarro, Di Giannantonio, Syarhin, Ramirez, Dixon, Schrotter, Roberts and Arenas.

Red Bull team rookie Ajo pushes again and sets a new time in 2.10.876s. Behind him, Ramirez is 2th, Bendsneyder, Lowes and Arbolino, A.Fernandez, Bezzecchi, Luthi, Canet and Virginie bring up the rear of the top10. Gardner is in 18th place.

5 minutes from the finish, Lowes takes the lead in 2.10.534s but the Briton is also quickly taken over by R. Fernandez with a lap time of 2.10.433s. Canet made the effort and took the 3rd best time in 2.10.709s. A. Fernandez et Courses bring up the rear of this provisional top5.

Gardner came back strong by achieving the 2nd best time in 2.10.079s. In front R. Fernandez unfolds and crosses the 2.10 mark with a time achieved in 2.09.880s.

End of session: R.Fernandez was the fastest in 2.09.880s. He is thus ahead of his teammate Gardner, Lowes, Arbolino and Canet

An American in the top10…Beaubier!

Moto2 Americas Grand Prix FP2 results:

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com