Moto2 heads to the Motegi circuit this week to contest the Japanese Grand Prix. Championship leader Ai Ogura will be defending his interests at home, trying to increase an advantage that is starting to weigh. We will therefore have to keep an eye on the #79, while the weather will be uncertain this weekend. For now, it is time for the riders to contest P2, the first session on Saturday, which already counts towards Qualifying. This Friday, it was Filip Salac who set the best time tests.
Moto2™ Japan, Motegi |
2023 |
2024 |
FP | 1'50.477 Somkiat Chantra | 1'50.287 Filip Salac |
P1 | 1'50.396 Somkiat Chantra | 1'49.716 Filip Salac |
P2 | 1'49.978 Somkiat Chantra | 1'50.672 Aron Canet |
Q1 | 1'50.089 Alonso Lopez | |
Q2 | 1'49.898 Somkiat Chantra | |
Course | Chantra, Ogura, Acosta (See here) | |
All time lap record | 1'49.898 Somkiat Chantra 2023 |
P2 could have been a final opportunity for the riders to secure their ticket to Q2, without going through Q1, but the rain decided otherwise. Held on a wet track, the first session this Saturday did not allow the Moto2 rider to improve their time on the Motegi track, and the first fourteen of the day before already know their place is assured for the second part of the qualifying session.
Many drivers still take to the track, with the aim of recording as many laps as possible in these conditions, given that qualifying could be held on a wet track in the afternoon.
In the wet, Deniz Oncu and Jake Dixon stood out from the crowd, and fought for the best time without finding any competition throughout the start of the session.
In the last few minutes to cover, the track begins to dry, and the times fall drastically.
Getting closer and closer to the Top 14 times of yesterday 👀
Time is running out as @AlbertArenas75 goes top 🔝#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/lrcLwTSSfg
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) October 5, 2024
With two minutes to go, Albert Arenas sets a time of 1:51.795. He is then just over a second behind the top 14 of the day before. There will be a few minutes of action missing for the drivers who missed out on their Friday to be able to sign a similar attempt to those of the day before.
Aron Canet finally set the best lap of this P2 in 1:50.672, ahead of Albert Arenas and Sergio Garcia.
Moto2 2024 Japanese Grand Prix FP result at Motegi:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com