Moto3 Austin Qualifying: Masia strong this Saturday, Fellon leader of Q1 will start 16th

 The best time of Filip Salac (KTM, CarXpert PruestlGP, #12) achieved during FP2 held until the last run. Second during the last GP contested in Austin, Jaume Masià (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #5) finally signed the best time of the session in 2'16.357 ahead of Stefano Nepa (KTM, BOE Owlride, #82) and the contender in the title, Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7), closely followed by Niccolò Antonelli (KTM, Reale Avintia, #23).

The rookie Xavier Artigas (Honda, Leopard Racing, #43) continued to shine on a playing field that was hitherto unknown to him, less than three tenths from the leader and in front of the veteran Roman Fenati (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team, #55). Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Team Gresini Moto3, #52) slipped in front Andrea Migno (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team, #16) by a thousandth of a second, the Italian having experienced some technical problems at the start of FP3. Best driver of Friday, Filip Salac (KTM, CarXpert PruestlGP, #12) is ninth in front Deniz Oncu (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #53), which completes the top 10.

The leader of the championship, Peter Acosta (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #37), who led this FP3 for a few moments, finally had to settle for 11th position, half a second from first place but secured his place in Q2 alongside his compatriot Izan Guevara (GasGas, Gaviota Aspar Team, #28),Ayumu Sasaki (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #71) and Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #24).

On the other hand, the Petronas Sprinta duo composed of John McPhee et Darryn binder finished more than a second behind the leader and will have to battle in Q1, just like Lorenzo Fellon (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #20), only 21st in this combined ranking.

Who will start at the top of this United States Grand Prix? Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.

Moto3 ™	2019	2021
FP1	2'18.536 Romano Fenati	2'32.152 Niccolo Antonelli
FP2	2'16.679 Romano Fenati	2'17.280 Filip Salac
FP3	Session canceled due to storm	2'16.357 Jaume Masia
Q1	2'33.777 Darryn Binder	2'17.698 Lorenzo Fellon
Q2	2'31.346 Niccoló Antonelli	2'15.986 Jaume Masia
Warm up	2'18.262 Romano Fenati
Course	Canet, Masia, Migno
All time lap record	2'14.644 Arón Canet 2017	2'15.986 Jaume Masia

On this Saturday afternoon, the air temperature was 27°C and the track temperature was 37°C.

Places are expensive for Q2, because only 4 of the 16 drivers participating in this Q1 will qualify for this 2nd qualifying session, which will take place immediately afterwards. The drivers know this and quickly take to the track as soon as the green flag is shown to them.

Lorenzo Fellon (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #20) unfortunately falls during his launch lap at turn 13. It will be complicated for him to be correctly qualified, even though he showed that he had a decent pace all weekend . He gets back on his motorbike and sets off again on the track. Carlos Tatay (KTM, Reale Avintia Moto3, #99) fell at turn 9, in the first timed lap, and seemed stunned, even though he was on his feet.

After the first round, Darryn binder (KTM, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #40) takes control of Q1 in 2'17.850, ahead Maximilian Kofler (KTM, CIP-Green Power, #73), Yukii Kuni (Honda, Honda Team Asia, #92) and John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #17). 7 of the 12 drivers have their times canceled for having exceeded the limits of the track. Also, alone Kaito Toba (KTM, CIP-Green Power, #27) has a validated time of 2'37.406.

You must therefore wait until mid-session and the 2nd timed round to have a hierarchy: John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #17) in 2'17.852, followed by Maximilian Kofler (KTM, CIP-Green Power, #73), Alberto Surra (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team, #67) and Adrian Fernandez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team, #31).

Lorenzo Fellon (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #20) returns to the track midway through the session, nothing is lost for the 17-year-old Frenchman. He also achieved the best time on his first timed lap., in 2'17.698, and ahead John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #17), Darryn binder (KTM, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #40) and Riccardo rossi (KTM, BOE Owlride, #54). Will he keep his pursuers behind him?

The route being particularly long, the drivers only do one long run. Carlos Tatay (KTM, Reale Avintia Moto3, #99) returns to the track just in time to complete a single timed lap and try not to qualify last.

At the end of this Q1, Lorenzo Fellon (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #20) maintains the advantage and qualifies in Q2, accompanied by John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #17), Darryn binder (KTM, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #40) and Alberto Surra (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team, #67). Carlos Tatay (KTM, Reale Avintia Moto3, #99) climbed to 5th place in the session, a great performance in a single timed lap after his fall.

Now it's time for Q2, the 4 fastest drivers from Q1 joining the other 14 fastest from the 3 practice sessions. Like Q1, drivers take action immediately after the green flag is shown.

Alone Roman Fenati (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team, #55) is patient in his box and lets his competitors get in the way on the track. It must be said that the Italian has already demonstrated this year that he can achieve very good times without taking advantage of the slipstream. He enters the track 2 minutes after his competitors.

The first timed lap gives an idea of ​​the hierarchy on the track: Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) leads the way in 2'16.276, ahead Izan Guevara (GasGas, Gaviota Aspar Team, #28) and Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #24). Lorenzo Fellon (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #20) is currently 12th.

Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Team Gresini Moto3, #52) improves the best time on the second lap, in 2'16.182. Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) and Izan Guevara (GasGas, Gaviota Aspar Team, #28) remain on the provisional first row.

Nothing is played 5 minutes from the end of the session, Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) regaining its lead in 2'16.179. Pole position will be decided by thousandths of a second. Unlike Q1, almost all drivers return to the pits during this Q2 to fit a new tire and complete a second run.

Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Team Gresini Moto3, #52) and Izan Guevara (GasGas, Gaviota Aspar Team, #28) started too late and were presented with the checkered flag before even completing their final timed lap.

Jaume Masia (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #5) is the first rider to go below 2'16, in 2'15.986, but the time ofDennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) lights up red in the first sector.

At the end of this Q2 where the tactics were thrilling, Jaume Masia (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #5) wins pole position, ahead Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) and Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Team Gresini Moto3, #52). Peter Acosta (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #37) will start 15th, just ahead Lorenzo Fellon (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #20)

Ranking of the Q1 session of the Moto3 Grand Prix of the Americas:

Ranking of the Q2 session of the Moto3 Grand Prix of the Americas:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com