After three chapters, it is clear that the addition of the Sprint to the Grand Prix weekend format is a good thing for enthusiasts, and it is not that of the Grand Prix of the Americas, on the Circuit of the Americas (COTA ) in Austin, Texas, which will change our minds!
The drivers are more measured than in the first opus, which is not very difficult, and we are now witnessing intense races but without rash attempts. We were thus able to see Alex Rins place your Honda at the forefront, or Jorge Martín perform a dazzling first lap, without any driver being injured.
The Grand Prix, which is contested over 20 laps instead of 10, will undoubtedly be less contested, especially since the drivers have clearly declared that the Texan track was one of the most physically demanding and that it would you also have to manage the rear tires. But each formula has its own interest, and the juxtaposition of the two races offers the advantage of diversity.
The starting grid presents a Francis Bagnaia who has just redeemed himself from his Argentinian blunder in front of the reinvigorated Alex Rins which reminds us that he has already won on the Texan track in all categories, Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP.
Results of Qualifying-2 of the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin:
Weather-wise, temperatures are 17° in the air and 25° on the ground, under a blue sky.
As the 22 drivers prepare for this 10-minute warm-up, let's take advantage of these few live moments thanks to the official website MotoGP.com :
|
MotoGP™ Austin, Texas, USA |
2022 |
2023 |
| P1 |
2'04.007 Alex Rins (See here) |
2'03.250 Luca Marini (See here) |
| P2 |
2'02.542 Johann Zarco (See here) |
2'02.178 Jorge Martin (See here) |
| FP |
2'02.361 Fabio Quartararo (See here) |
2'03.295 Francesco Bagnaia (See here) |
| FP4 |
2'02.983 Francesco Bagnaia (See here) |
XXXXXXX |
| Q1 |
2'02487 Jorge Martín (See here) |
2'02.387 Johann Zarco (See here) |
| Q2 |
2'02.039 Jorge Martín (See here) |
2'01.892 Francesco Bagnaia (See here) |
| Sprint |
XXXXXXX |
Bagnaia, Rins, Martin |
| Warm up |
2'03.647 Maverick Viñales (See here) |
2'03.998 Francesco Bagnaia (See here) |
| Course | Bastianini, Rins, Miller (See here) | (See here) |
| All time lap record |
2'02.039 Jorge Martín 2022 (See here) |
2'01.892 Francesco Bagnaia (See here) |
When the red lights go out... Takaaki Nakagami for once sets off first.
The sun is shining! 😎
Let's get going! 🙌#AmericasGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/H1p0qbJ2Vt
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 16, 2023
All drivers chose the soft rear tire and the medium front, except Johann zarco which uses a hard front and Maverick Vinales, Brad Binder, Joan Mir, Alex Rins, Jack Miller and Stefan Bradl who opted for a soft front.
At the end of the first round, Francis Bagnaia enters the reference in 2'04.727 in front Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder.
In the next passage, Fabio Quartararo takes command in 2'04.715.
Searching for redemption today! 🤞@FabioQ20 will have to fight hard! 💪#AmericasGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/jgwvHne0eT
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 16, 2023
Pecco Bagnaia regained his good position the next lap in 2'03.988 whileAlex Marquez makes a mistake at turn #2.
Not the kind of early morning wake-up call that @ alexmarquez73 needed! 😮
And as we're watching that, Bezzecchi has gone down as well 💥
Both riders all OK! 👍#AmericasGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/GPV906gzdS
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 16, 2023
Marco Bezzecchi is stopped on circuit et the session ends with the fall of Franco Morbidelli, Without gravity.
And now @FrankyMorbido12! 🤯
He looks a little confused by that one! 🤔#AmericasGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/jsDIQD5VTi
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 16, 2023
Warmup results for the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
Time for the parade!