MotoGP 2020 Test Qatar J3 Live: Yamaha takes the lead again!

This last MotoGP test of the 2019-2020 off-season takes place from Saturday February 22 to Monday February 24 at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

The track is open from 13 p.m. to 20 p.m. local time, i.e. from 11 a.m. to 18 p.m. French time, and will allow us to get a more precise idea of ​​the forces present, after tests in Malaysia which gave us a picture that we had never seen so homogeneous until now.

But the temperatures will be much lower in Qatar, and the drivers will not have the extra-soft rear tires brought to Malaysia by Michelin...
Another circuit, other conditions, another story, and there are many questions before the start of this last rehearsal where error is still allowed before the weekend of March 8.

The Prodigy fabio quartararo will he continue his flawless test in Malaysia? THE Ducati in disgrace with their rear tires will they get back on track? Marc Márquez Has he fully recovered his physical abilities? THE Suzuki Are they hiding their game? Johann zarco will he get even closer to the fastest? THE Yamaha will they confirm their progress? Valentino Rossi will he perform well enough to make a positive decision regarding the extension of his career? What aerodynamic configurations will be validated before their approval in two weeks?

Each of these questions that we asked ourselves before these tests already seems to have the beginnings of an answer., brought by the first two days of testing…
But others arise, concerning for example the poor shape of the Honda, Ducati's latest invention (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and the officialization of Lorenzo Savadori among the men of Noale !

We will have the opportunity to return to each of these topics in detail, so let's refrain from drawing any hasty conclusions for the moment and just see what this third and final day of testing in Qatar will show us.

The references are provided by the Marc Márquez's record in 1'53.380 achieved during FP2 last year, a much faster time than during the three days of pre-season testing dominated by Maverick Viñales (1'54.208) in 2019.

On Saturday, Álex Rins set the 2020 benchmark in 1'54.462, then Fabio Quartararo lowered it on Sunday in 1'54.038.

 

Combined classification J1/j2:

 

As usual, we will report on-track activities as completely as possible, also This article will be continuously updated from 11 a.m. to 18 p.m.

 

Consequently, no one takes the lead immediately.

Let's take advantage of these few minutes without activity on the track to begin to answer (with caution) our preliminary questions thanks to the elements provided by the first two days of testing...

• The Prodigy fabio quartararo will he continue his flawless test in Malaysia? No, Alex Rins having been the fastest on the first day. That said, Fabio Quartararo remains by far the best placed overall in all the off-season testing sessions, having never been out of the Top 5.
• The Ducati in disgrace with their rear tires will they get back on track? Yes, clearly! Among the Reds, we stopped shooting at Michelin with cannonballs of the same color...

 

• Marc Márquez Has he fully recovered his physical abilities? Unfortunately no. The Spanish champion explained that he had recovered muscularly but that a nerve was affected, preventing him from fully controlling his wayward Honda. Hence its falls in Malaysia and Qatar. The first Honda is 11th…

 

• The Suzuki were they hiding their game? No doubt, because they clearly showed their cards on the first day and tried to do the same on Sunday with a little less success (falls of both drivers). They are now a scarecrow in many boxes, just like the Yamaha…

 

• Johann zarco will he get even closer to the fastest? For the moment, yes, thanks to his time yesterday!

 

• The Yamaha will they confirm their progress? With a Yamaha hat-trick yesterday, it’s hard not to think so…

 

• Valentino Rossi will he perform well enough to make a positive decision regarding the extension of his career? Obviously too early to answer… but the Doctor gave us some great attacks in Qatar.

 

• What aerodynamic configurations will be validated before their approval in two weeks? These tests in Qatar only showed a new, smaller air intake at Honda. We can therefore think that what runs regularly from Malaysia will be what will be approved: a priori, no last minute surprises.

 

• The poor shape of the Hondas? Clearly proven and worrying. In the boxes, we are starting to think that the 2020 model is less good than the 2019, which was already not easy but “saved” by Marc Márquez…

 

• Ducati's latest invention ? Still many questions about the complete functioning of the system(s) but no doubt about its current legality. With a long delay, the competition has looked into the matter and will look into it, unless all of this ends up being banned in the name of cost limitation, although it only concerns hydraulic systems. acting on rods…

 

• The officialization of Lorenzo Savadori among the men of Noale ? The case Iannone is a real blow for Aprilia, in the sense that Bradley Smith is far too slow to effectively replace Joe the Maniac, and Lorenzo Savadori even slower than the Briton. There is no real solution in sight and all of Aprilia's efforts now rest on the sole shoulders ofAlex Espargaror.

 

An anecdote to pass the time?

Alex Briggs, one of the three faithful mechanics of Valentino Rossi, informs that following the expansion of the coronavirus, and to avoid transfers to airports which are risk areas, Yamaha asked its engineers to stay in Qatar until the race, March 8, unlike most of the other teams who will return home for a few days…

13:25 p.m.: Like yesterday, fabio quartararo sets off first on the track... The French driver was only the fastest, but the third most diligent, with 65 laps completed, behind Franco Morbidelli (70) et Maverick Vinales (68). No doubt, we want to be ready at Yamaha! Moreover, although a private pilot for the moment, El Diablo is already entrusted with sometimes thankless tasks usually reserved for factory pilots...

 

 

 

In his 3rd flying lap, the young Frenchman established a first reference in 1'56.053 before returning to his box. Silence returned to the circuit. Fabio came out with worn tires but new discs, probably to break them in and to measure the grip.

After a few minutes in the box, the Niçois sets off again, still alone on the track: no doubt, he's working hard!

1'55.389, 1'55.360, the times go down.

Brad Binder is the second to take the track.

 

Ranking at 14:00 p.m. (12:00 p.m. in France): 

 

Davide Brivio (Suzuki) about the holeshot device: “We don't have it and we won't have it for the first races. Of course, it's something we're thinking about and working on, but I can't say right now when we'll be able to use it. It will probably come sooner or later. »

An hour and a half after the opening of the track, Bradley Smith is only the 3rd driver to leave his box: a big difference from yesterday! Are we saving ourselves for the end of the session and attacks on the clock in the relative cool of the evening, despite the falls that occurred yesterday?

Cal Crutchlow is made of leather, despite his questions yesterday following a serious fall.

fabio quartararo left for a 3rd run, with a best time which is very interesting given the time of day: 1'55.116.

Brad Binder concedes 1,7s to the French and Bradley Smith 3,7s at the time Aleix Espargaro sets off on the track.

20th in the combined ranking,álex Márquez started these tests very timidly in Qatar. The reason is simple, the Honda driver is ill: “It went a little better than yesterday, especially on my side since I was sick yesterday. I still am and I don't feel great yet, but a little better. At the end of the day, I no longer had the energy to attack and so we decided to stop, even though I felt a little better. On the motorcycle side, we are still struggling a lot, like all Honda riders. So we have to keep working because tomorrow is the last day of pre-season testing and our last chance to progress. We will try to manage to see if we can solve the problems a little, especially in the corners. »

 

 

 

Pol Espargaro et Danilo Petrucci joined the dance...

 

 

Ranking at 15:00 p.m. (13:00 p.m. in France): 

 

Roman Albesian takes stock of the situation at Aprilia on Sky Sports : " We have a good starting point, it is obvious that after having done everything in a hurry, we are quite satisfied, even if we have to find reliability and performance. The engine is in its infancy, it is certainly easier to drive than the previous one. it gives us hope for development during the year. The objectives for the first GP? For us today it is important to show that we are here, that we have good potential and to finish the race. During the year, it would be right to think about being part of the Top 5. We would dream of the podium at every GP. »

Iannone's suspension? “I think that since the defense will present the documents as early as next week, this will be resolved before the Qatar GP on March 8. We have great confidence in the pilot, all documents presented exonerate Andrea and provide all the answers. I hope the jury will look at the science. If there were to be a disqualification, we would take the matter to CAS, because he did nothing and we are totally on his side. We are convinced of the scientific data. »

Aleix's attack on Iannone? “They're two thoroughbreds, they both bicker, and that's one of the reasons why I can't wait for Iannone to get back in the saddle. I welcome these statements which spice things up a little. Aleix is ​​like a captain, and it's obvious that he wants to claim responsibility for the development of the bike. It's positive. »

 

 

 

While fabio quartararo crossed the 1'55 mark in 1'54.998, things started to liven up with the arrival of half a dozen drivers on the track: Francesco Bagnaia, Alex Marquez, Iker Lecuona, Cal Crutchlow, Jack Miller and Johann Zarco.

The time ofIker Lecuona stops in the 4th sector…

 

 

 

Johann zarco, author of the sixth time yesterday, granted a very long exclusive interview to our colleagues at GPone.

Here are some interesting extracts…

“I am happy, especially for yesterday. It was only one lap but I'm happy to have set a time that allows me to be with the best. I am very happy about this opportunity with Ducati, because I took a lot of risks and I am finally in a situation where I am calm. »

“Yes, I think I can be the anti–Márquez, and I’m delighted. The goal I have set for my career is to be part of an official team to win a MotoGP world championship, so I would like to be that man. »

“It's strange because you might think that a Honda is more like a Ducati or a KTM, but in reality it has a spirit closer to that of a Yamaha. »

“I am happy to have experienced these changes, but I am also happy to now have stability with Ducati. I would like to stay a long time, because it would perhaps allow me to build something big together. »

“Today I am happy to have made this decision. There's less money, but I'm calmer in my head and that's worth a lot. I still believe in myself and I think I can come back among the strongest. »

“No, zero relationship with Laurent Fellon. Too bad about this divorce. I guess money ruined everything. He lost my trust, we could no longer work together. So we decided to separate everything and I am completely free. »

To find out more, click on GPone...

 

 

On track, Danilo Petrucci comes close to 15/1000 of fabio quartararo, preceding Marc Márquez, Pol Espargaró and Maverick Vinales.

At this point in the session, the KTMs seem to be behaving better than yesterday, Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira occupying 6th and 7th positions, a good half a second from the lead.

Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi have just returned to the track, unlike the two Suzuki riders who are perhaps trying to do the same thing as the first day...

 

Ranking at 16:00 p.m. (14:00 p.m. in France): 

 

Just after this ranking, Marc Marquez, Maverick Vinales, Franco Morbidelli and Jack Miller light the first sector in red, a tangible sign that we are looking for a timer. In the end, alone Franco Morbidelli et Jack Miller improve, the first moving up to seventh position while the second takes eighth.

At Honda, we seem to be working in all directions, even in aerodynamics! While we thought they were definitely abandoned, we brought out the old 2019 “Star Wars” fins in the box of a Marc Márquez with three motorcycles, while Cal Crutchlow, he drives completely without fins!

At 14:35 p.m., Maverick Vinales lowers the day's reference to 1'54.789, but the most impressive remains Álex Rins who clocks a 1'54.940 in his first flying lap!

The Yamaha/Suzuki war is well declared!

Franco Morbidelli (with the new aerodynamic deflectors) takes command very briefly beforeAlex Rins achieves 1'54.363 in his second flying lap!

Franco Morbidelli responds in 1'54.157, his best test time so far.

Everyone returns to the box after this first pass of arms.

 

 

 

Ranking at 17:00 p.m. (15:00 p.m. in France): 

 

 

Everyone is now going for their attempt, first Joan mirthen Danilo Petrucci, Pol Espargaro et Jack Miller. As a result, fabio quartararo retrograde to 8th position.

Alberto puig confides that we compare a lot of parts at Honda, including from 2017 and 2018…

 

 

 

 

fabio quartararo rises to 2nd position of the day. For the moment, he still remains the fastest of these tests, in 1'54.038.

 

 

The sun sets…

 

 

At 17:40 p.m., Valentino Rossi rises to 3rd position. At this moment, there are three Yamahas in the lead ahead of two Suzukis…
Franco Morbidelli, Fabio Quartararo, Valentino Rossi, Alex Rins and Joan Mir.
The first V4 is the KTM of Pol Espargaro.

 

 

 

Things are changing quickly, driven by Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia who take advantage of Maverick Vinales.

On your mind, Franco Morbidelli picks up the pace again and snaps a 1'53.891, the best time of the three days of testing! The Petronas driver built a lead of 4 tenths over the rest of the field before fabio quartararo reduces this gap to 2 tenths during his 31st lap.

 

 

 

 

The French driver continued his effort and lit the first two sectors in red... But his time stopped at the end of the third partial. We fear a fall...

Technical problem confirmed for Fabio Quartararo. The driver is OK and the M1 has been returned to the box.

 

 

kick of Valentino Rossi without gravity at turn #2.

 

 

Ranking at 18:10 p.m. (16:10 p.m. in France): 

 

 

At the start of the penultimate hour, Joan mir produced a new effort and moved back to third position while the rookie Brad Binder manages to place his KTM in 3rd position, in front Valentino Rossi ! How did he do it???

 

 

 

Jack Miller jumped from 16th to 5th position with a top speed of 354 km/h!

Pol Espargaró tries to catch up with Brad Binder and moves up to 10th position.

Takaaki Nakagami places the first Honda in 4th position, 0,348s behind the fastest, with its 213 RC2019V.

fabio quartararo left and slightly improved his time.

All drivers now appear to be doing race simulations.
Let’s take this opportunity to look at the maximum speeds recorded today…
355,2 km/h for Jack Miller!
347, 2 for the first 4-cylinder in line…
340,6 for fabio quartararo.

 

 

 

Ranking at 19:00 p.m. (17:00 p.m. in France): 

 

Cal Crutchlow slightly improves his time and goes from 18th to 16th place. It amounts to 3/10 of Marc Marquez but the two men are preceded by Takaaki Nakagami, which seems to confirm that the 2019 Honda is better than the 2020 Honda.

In the meantime, Alex Rins dethrones fabio quartararo from the second provisional position while Maverick Vinales jumped from 12th to first place by achieving the best time of these three days of testing, in 1'53.875 then 1'53.858. The Yamaha rider further improves in the following three partials but prefers not to make it happen and returns to his box.

 

 

 

 

Marc Márquez improves and goes 6th, ahead Takaaki Nakagami.

Danilo Petrucci seems to have run out of gas at turn #11…

Half an hour from the end of this last session, Johann zarco, then 20th at 1,4 seconds, increases the pace by first gaining 3 tenths to reach 19th place, then 2 tenths to place 16th, 9 tenths behind.

In the Top 12, alone Maverick Vinales is on the trail...

The times of Pol Espargaro et John Zarco are arrested in the first sector…

In the end, alone Fabio Quartararo, Johann Zarco et Danilo Petrucci have not improved today.

In the combined classification of the three days, 3 Yamahas are in the lead.

 

 

Final J3 ranking at 20:00 p.m. (18:00 p.m. in France): 

 

Combined classification J1/J2/J3: 

 

See you this evening for analyzes and debriefings!
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