MotoGP returns to the Circuit of the Americas (CotA) for an eighth year. Until 2019, the circuit hosted the Grand Prix of the Americas for seven successive years. The 2020 edition was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We will also remember that in 2019, the FP3 in Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP were canceled due to deplorable weather conditions, the same ones that we are promised for this weekend...
In total, on the 32 Previous Grands Prix that have been hosted in the United States have been 15 at Laguna Seca, eight in Indianapolis, seven in Austin and two at Daytona.
The last victory MotoGP of Honda in Austin dates back to 2018 with Marc Marquez. Honda is the most successful manufacturer with six victories, all with the elder Marquez. Honda riders have won 15 of the last 16 MotoGP races held in the United States. The last non-Honda MotoGP winner in the new world was alex rins in Austin in 2019. Before Rins, the last was Jorge Lorenzo at Laguna Seca in 2010. Honda has also won 18 of the 24 premier class races held in the United States in the MotoGP era since 2002.
Suzuki is the only other manufacturer to have won in Austin in MotoGP, with Alex Rins in 2019. This was the first time that Suzuki had won in the premier class in the United States. The brand took four victories in smaller categories in the United States at Daytona with Hugh Anderson in 50cc (1964) and 125cc (1964/1965), and Ernst Degner in 50cc (1965).
The best result of Yamaha in MotoGP in Austin is second place with three different riders: Valentino Rossi (2017 and 2019), Maverick Viñales (2018) and Jorge Lorenzo (2016). Ducati had four MotoGP podiums in Austin with Andrea Dovizioso, third in 2014 and second in 2015, Andrea Iannone, third in 2016, and Jack Miller, third in 2019 for what was his first podium with Ducati.
Espargaro Pol finished eighth in 2019 at Austin, the best result at this circuit for a KTM rider. 10th placeAlex Espargaro in 2018 matched Aprilia's best result at COTA, achieved by Stefan Bradl in 2016.
Marc Marquez is the boss in Austin
Marc Marquez qualified on pole in all seven MotoGP races held at COTA. He won six from 2013 to 2018 but fell in 2019 while leading. In addition, Marc Marquez has won 10 times out of the 11 occasions he has raced in MotoGP in America: six times in Austin, three times in Indianapolis and at Laguna Seca in 2013.
Only once in 11 MotoGP appearances in America has Marquez not qualified on pole: Laguna Seca in 2013 when he qualified second behind Stefan Bradl. He qualified on pole in 2018 at Austin but started fourth after a grid penalty.
The only riders currently competing in MotoGP to have won in the category in America are Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez and now alex rins. Of the 21 podiums in the seven MotoGP races held in Austin, all were Spanish or Italian riders. Italy, with the exception of Jack Miller, third in 2019. But this year, France can get on the list with two drivers in form this year: Fabio Quartararo et Johann zarco.
Now that you are familiar with the history of Austin and its surroundings, here is the program for this Friday in Texas so you don't miss anything...
MotoGP Austin: Friday program
Friday October 1
16:00 p.m. – 16:40 p.m.: FP1 Moto3 free practice
16:55 p.m. – 17:40 p.m.: FP1 MotoGP free practice
17:55 p.m. – 18:35 p.m.: FP1 Moto2 free practice
20:15 p.m. – 20:55 p.m.: FP2 Moto3 free practice
21:10 p.m. – 21:55 p.m.: FP2 MotoGP free practice
22:10 p.m. – 22:50 p.m.: FP2 Moto2 free practice
