During the last free session, Aron Canet achieved the best time, 0.094 ahead of Jorge Martin, who preceded Niccolo Antonelli, John McPhee (CIP driver of Alain Bronec), Marco Bezzecchi, Philipp Oettl and Fabio di Giannantonio.
|
Moto3™ #QatarGP Losail Qatar |
2017 |
2018 |
| FP1 |
2'06.981 Philipp Oettl |
2'07.741 Enea Bastianini |
| FP2 |
2'07.955 Bo Bendsneyder |
2'05.590 Jorge Martin |
| FP3 |
2'06.817 Jorge Martin |
2'07.864 Aron Canet |
| Qualification |
Canceled due to rain |
|
| Warm Up |
2'09.331 Joan Mir |
|
| Course |
Mir, McPhee, Martin |
|
| All time lap record | 2'05.832 Livio Law 2016 |
For this third free practice session, the air temperature was 33° and that of the track was 47°. The new absolute record for the track had been established the day before by Jorge Martin (Honda Gresini) in 2'05.590. It seemed difficult to improve in this opening session on Saturday due to the very high temperature of the asphalt. The wind was blowing at 13 km/h.
Back to it at the #QatarGP! ️# Moto3 head out for their final session before qualifying kicks-off this afternoon! pic.twitter.com/UAIjGSE0A7
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 17, 2018
Most teams were preparing for the race rather than a fast lap, although the race will take place on Sunday three hours later than this third free practice session, therefore with a slightly lower temperature.
Jaume Masia fell without seriousness in turn 5. John McPhee, on a KTM from Alain Bronec's CIP – Green Power team, was the fastest at the start of the session in 2'08.762. The Scottish rider's extensive experience in the Moto3 category can be a valuable asset for the French team this year.
McPhee, definitely motivated, improved his best time to 2'08.134. He was ahead of Jorge Martin by 0.226, but the two were using tires of different hardness to test endurance for the race.
Late breakfast for @ 88jorgemartin 😅🍌 pic.twitter.com/KPSJ6fVG5S
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 17, 2018
Aron Canet (Honda Estrella Galicia 0,0) was third in 2'08.756, ahead of Niccolo Antonelli (Honda SIC58 Squadra Corse) in 2'08.947 and Enea Bastianini (Honda Leopard Racing).
Darryn Binder (KTM Red Bull KTM Ajo) did not seem to be celebrating, not much more than the day before in any case, with only nineteenth position at mid-session in 2'10.516, 2.382 behind John McPhee. Nicolo Bulega (KTM Sky Racing Team VR46) was not much better, eighteenth in the standings for the three sessions, just ahead of Darryn Binder. In fact, 13 minutes from the end, a KTM preceded five Hondas, which could raise fears of a possible domination identical to that of 2017 from the Japanese manufacturer.
The situation improved significantly for Darryn Binder who moved into fifth position in 2'09.112, 0.978 behind McPhee. Kazakh Makar Yurchenko, McPhee's teammate on the CIP – Green Power team, climbed to a superb fourth position in 2'08.971. It was excellent for Alain Bronec who placed his two drivers in the leading quartet!
Another KTM progressed, driven by Philipp Oettl (Sudmetal Schedl GP Racing) who reached third position in 2'08.395. Just under three minutes from the checkered flag, Aron Canet took the lead in 2'07.864, 0.270 ahead of McPhee. Marco Bezzecchi (KTM PruestlGP) moved up to fourth position, behind Canet, McPhee and Martin.
Under the checkered flag, Aron Canet retained first position, 0.094 ahead of Jorge Martin, who preceded Niccolo Antonelli, John McPhee, Marco Bezzecchi, Philipp Oettl and Fabio di Giannantonio.
# Moto3 FP3 🏁@aroncanet44 leads the way heading into qualifying!#QatarGP pic.twitter.com/EMDXLmtT6V
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 17, 2018
Results of the third free practice session :
1 44 Aron CANET SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 HONDA 2'07.864 12 14 223.1
2 88 Jorge MARTIN SPA Del Conca Gresini Moto3 HONDA 2'07.958 12 12 0.094 0.094 223.0
3 23 Niccolò ANTONELLI ITA SIC58 Squadra Corse HONDA 2'08.013 14 14 0.149 0.055 229.5
4 17 John MCPHEE GBR CIP – Green Power KTM 2'08.134 4 11 0.270 0.121 227.9
5 12 Marco BEZZECCHI ITA Redox PruestelGP KTM 2'08.149 12 13 0.285 0.015 222.5
6 65 Philipp OETTL GER Sudmetal Schedl GP Racing KTM 2'08.395 11 13 0.531 0.246 226.7
7 21 Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO ITA Del Conca Gresini Moto3 HONDA 2'08.742 10 10 0.878 0.347 226.2
8 71 Ayumu SASAKI JPN Petronas Sprinta Racing HONDA 2'08.764 12 13 0.900 0.022 227.7
9 19 Gabriel RODRIGO ARG RBA BOE Skull Rider KTM 2'08.824 11 12 0.960 0.060 225.2
10 76 Makar YURCHENKO KAZ CIP – Green Power KTM 2'08.871 10 14 1.007 0.047 225.1
11 27 Kaito TOBA JPN Honda Team Asia HONDA 2'08.950 11 14 1.086 0.079 227.5
12 40 Darryn BINDER RSA Red Bull KTM Ajo KTM 2'09.036 11 15 1.172 0.086 220.3
13 16 Andrea MIGNO ITA Angel Nieto Team Moto3 KTM 2'09.060 13 13 1.196 0.024 226.7
14 22 Kazuki MASAKI JPN RBA BOE Skull Rider KTM 2'09.069 12 12 1.205 0.009 223.3
15 48 Lorenzo DALLA PORTA ITA Leopard Racing HONDA 2'09.073 14 14 1.209 0.004 223.9
16 7 Adam NORRODIN MAL Petronas Sprinta Racing HONDA 2'09.119 11 11 1.255 0.046 229.4
17 33 Enea BASTIANINI ITA Leopard Racing HONDA 2'09.133 12 13 1.269 0.014 228.1
18 84 Jakub KORNFEIL CZE Redox PruestelGP KTM 2'09.249 10 15 1.385 0.116 220.1
19 42 Marcos RAMIREZ SPA Bester Capital Dubai KTM 2'09.314 10 10 1.450 0.065 223.6
20 10 Dennis FOGGIA ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 KTM 2'09.462 12 14 1.598 0.148 227.9
21 41 Nakarin ATIRATPHUVAP THA Honda Team Asia HONDA 2'09.462 13 14 1.598 229.8
22 72 Alonso LOPEZ SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 HONDA 2'09.489 12 13 1.625 0.027 228.2
23 75 Albert ARENAS SPA Angel Nieto Team Moto3 KTM 2'09.672 14 14 1.808 0.183 220.7
24 14 Tony ARBOLINO ITA Marinelli Snipers Team HONDA 2'09.859 13 13 1.995 0.187 222.3
25 8 Nicolo BULEGA ITA SKY Racing Team VR46 KTM 2'10.212 12 13 2.348 0.353 218.9
26 5 Jaume MASIA SPA Bester Capital Dubai KTM 2'10.258 8 8 2.394 0.046 221.1
27 11 Livio LOI BEL Reale Avintia Academy KTM 2'10.280 12 12 2.416 0.022 224.5
Reference times:
Test record: 2'05.590 by Jorge Martin (Honda Gresini) in 2018
Pole position record: 2'05.973 by Alex Rins (Honda Estrella Galicia 0,0) in 2014
Lap record: 2'05.862 by Alexis Masbou (Ongetta-Rivacold) in 2014
Best top speed: 240,3 km/h for Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in 2016
