Moto3 Misano 1 FP3: Andrea Migno leads in a crash festival and despite 2 red flags

After the rainy intermission of the FP1 sessions, conditions had improved considerably by the time the Moto3 category returned to the track, but the riders were in little hurry to improve their times. However, in the final minutes, the downpour returned and all the drivers who hoped to reach the top 14, synonymous with qualifying for Q2, did not have the opportunity. However, 17 of them will have had the opportunity to improve, including Pedro Acosta (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #37), which moved up from 14th to second place. Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) retains the lead for a little more than three tenths, but the transalpine driver will not have managed to get his time achieved in FP1.

Roman Fenati (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team, #55) suddenly lost a position, just like Niccolo Antonelli (KTM, Reale Avintia, #23) et Andrea Migno (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team, #16), even if the latter will have managed to raise their voice, unlike their compatriot, the Italian trio being only a tenth of a second from first place.

The guest pilot Matthew Bertelli (KTM, Bardahl VR46 Riders Academy, #18), really enjoyed his first day at Misano, finishing just three tenths behind the leader and inheriting 6th place, so he is provisionally in Q2 and ahead of the more experienced Petronas rider duo composed of John McPhee et Darryn binder. The South African nevertheless achieved some very good times at the start of the session, but a big fall in the last corner caused him to miss the last half of the session. Filip Salac (KTM, CarXpert PruestlGP, #12) and Jaume Masia (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #5) complete the top 10, followed by Deniz Öncü (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #53) and Izan Guevara (GasGas, Gaviota Aspar Team, #28).

Even though they didn't improve their lap times in FP2,Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #24) and Xavier Artigas (Honda, Leopard Racing, #43) also retained their positions in the combined top 14, and would also be exempt from Q1, if the weather does not prove to be good on Saturday morning.

What will be the verdict of this FP3? Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.

Misano-1 Moto3™	2020	2021
FP1	1'41.962 Raul Fernandez	1'42.009 Dennis Foggia
FP2	1'41.663 Jaume Masia	1'42.333 Dennis Foggia
FP3	1'41.155 Celestino Vietti	1'41.680 Andrea Migno
Q1	1'42.233 Deniz Oncu
Q2	1'41.705 Raul Fernandez
Warm Up	1'41.981 Raul Fernandez
Course	Fenati, Vietti, Ogura
All time lap record	1'41.155 Celestino Vietti 2020

On this Saturday morning, the air temperature was 22°C and the track temperature was 18°C.

The objective of the third session this morning is to climb among the 14 fastest in free practice to go directly to Q2. Sergio Garcia (GasGas, Aspar Team Moto3, #11) and Izan Guevara (GasGas, Gaviota Aspar Team, #28) were the first to set off as soon as the green flag was presented, before being joined by their competitors on the track. From its launch turn, Roman Fenati (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team, #55) goes to visit the gravel trap at turn 8, but stays on its wheels.

Sergio Garcia (GasGas, Aspar Team Moto3, #11) sets the first benchmark in 1'44.801, but Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) seems in very good shape this weekend and takes the lead in 1'43.356 ahead of his teammate Xavier Artigas (Honda, Leopard Racing, #43) and Deniz Oncu (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #53).

On the second pass in front of the timing cell, Niccolo Antonelli (KTM, Reale Avintia, #23) takes the lead in 1'42.291, ahead Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) and Elia Bartolini (KTM, Bardahl VR46 Riders Academy, #22).

Deniz Oncu (KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, #53) falls at turn 16, which leads to the presentation of the red flag, in order to take charge of the Turkish driver on the track. He was the victim of a very violent highside. There are 30″56 left before the end of the session.

Despite the distressing images, the Medical Center announces that the pilot is conscious and taken care of at the edge of the track. The track marshals cleaned the circuit at the site of his fall and the driver was evacuated by ambulance.

The track is accessible again at 9:21 a.m., the drivers quickly return to the track because the weather is good and these are perfect conditions to improve their times. Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) is the first to go under 1'41, achieving a 1'41.953, then a 1'41.865. He relegates his closest pursuer, Nicolò Antonelli (KTM, Reale Avintia, #23), at 0.426s.

Halfway through the session, Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) is in the pits and retains provisional first place, ahead Niccolo Antonelli (KTM, Reale Avintia, #23) and Elia Bartolini (KTM, Bardahl VR46 Riders Academy, #22). Peter Acosta (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #37) is tenth, 0.998s behind the leader.

Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #24) fell at turn 15 but quickly got up, losing the front with a long slide. However, he will probably have to go through Q1 this afternoon because he is currently 21st, and his bike is very damaged.

There are 10 minutes left before the presentation of the checkered flag and it's still Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) who leads the way. Peter Acosta (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #37) is second, at 0.044s and is followed by Niccolo Antonelli (KTM, Reale Avintia, #23). The majority of drivers are in the pits, preparing for the last run.

Andi Farid Izdihar (Honda, Honda Team Asia, #19) crashed in turn 10, near the Long Lap area.

The drivers enter the track for the last 6 minutes of the session, the hunt for the top14 is on.

Adrian Fernandez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team, #31) fell at turn 8 and reached the gravel with difficulty. He seems stunned, and is evacuated on a stretcher after an impressive highside for him too. Darryn Binder (KTM, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #40) fell at turn 5, he tried to restart his engine but will probably have to go through Q1. John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #17) in turn fell at turn 8, a loss of lead for the British driver.

At 2″05 from the end of the session, the red flag was shown again, due to another fall in turn 11 requiring the intervention of the medical car. Race Direction informs that all drivers are conscious, although at the moment it is not known who is involved.

Alberto Surra (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team, #67) hit Yukii Kuni (Honda, Honda Team Asia, #92) and fell violently, requiring him to be transported to the Medical Center.

The pit lane re-opens for the last 2 minutes of the session and the drivers and riders are already all ready to set off in front of the red light, to set a time. This benefits Darryn binder (KTM, Petronas Sprinta Racing, #40), whose bike was repaired. The mechanics of Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse, #24) are working hard but it seems complicated for him to be able to reach the end of the session.

All the pilots are in a pack and observing each other. The goal is to cross the timing line before the checkered flag, in order to complete a final timed lap.

At the end of this epic and chaotic FP3, Andrea Migno (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team, #16) has priority at Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing, #7) in 1'41.680, followed by Peter Acosta (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo, #37).

San Marino Moto3 Grand Prix FP3 standings at Misano:

Credit Ranking: motogp.com