MotoGP Italy Qualifying LIVE: Jorge Martin hits hard by setting the track record!

Mugello, with its majestic track, was the scene of dazzling performances on Friday of the Italian Grand Prix. The #1 Ducati of double MotoGP world champion Pecco Bagnaia completed a lap in 1'44.938, moving closer to his own track record. During the exercise, an explosive meeting with Alex Marquez left an impression on the minds and the commissioners. The latter, furious at having been embarrassed, did not mince his words.

The Yamaha ofalex rins followed closely, just 0,273 seconds behind. The tests carried out by the Japanese company on this Tuscan track seem to be bearing fruit. Third, despite a second spectacular fall of the day, the rookie Peter Acosta on the KTM of Team GASGAS Tech3 demonstrated solid potential.

Miguel Oliveira, on the Aprilia TrackHouse, and Marc Marquez, on the Ducati Desmosedici GP23, complete the leading quintet. Marc, always at the center of speculation in the driver market, beat a Enea Bastianini in great shape, closely followed by the one who is the rumored favorite to replace him at Ducati red version, George Martin (Pramac Racing). Martin had a difficult moment leaving the Bucine, passing on the grass just before entering the pits.

The Top 10 is completed by Alex Marquez and the Aprilias of Maverick Vinales et Aleix Espargaro, all qualifying directly for Q2. Marquez thus avoided the trap of Q1, where he had to start from the fifth row during the last two races.

However, fabio quartararo on Yamaha, the Ducati of Fabio DiGiannantonio et Marco Bezzecchi of the VR46 Racing Team, as well as the GP24 Factory of Franco Morbidelli and all Honda, will have to fight to get back up. Luca marini, last with a gap of 2.124 seconds, also has challenges to overcome.

The battle between the wild cards was won by Pol Espargaro, returned to the KTM and ranking 18th, while Lorenzo Savadori on Aprilia finished 22nd, 1.802 seconds behind bagnaia.

Le Italian Grand Prix promises twists and turns, with drivers determined to give their all on this legendary track. Mugello, once again, is preparing for a high-flying spectacle where every second counts in this qualifying session which will give some of the keys to the races to follow in Tuscany. What will she have in store for us? Before you know it, here is the table that summarizes the facts known so far.

MotoGP™ Italy, Mugello	2023	2024
FP1	1'46.121 Alex Marquez (See here)	1'46.140 Maverick Vinales (See here)
Practice	1'45.436 Francesco Bagnaia (See here)	1'44.938 Francesco Bagnaia (See here)
FP2	1'46.314 Francesco Bagnaia (See here)	1'45.608 Francesco Bagnaia
Q1	1'45.231 Alex Marquez (See here)	1'44.726 Franco Morbidelli
Q2	1'44.855 Francesco Bagnaia (See here)	1'44.504 Jorge Martin
Sprint	Bagnaia, Bezzecchi, Martin (See here)	(See here)
Warm Up	1'46.286 Marco Bezzecchi (See here)	(See here)
Course	Bagnaia, Martin, Zarco (See here)	(See here)
All time lap record	1'44.855 Francesco Bagnaia (See here)	1'44.504 Jorge Martin

Welcome!! We are live for the qualifying sessions..We start with Q1 which will see 2 drivers qualify for Q2

It was Morbidelli who set the reference time in 1.45.722s. It was taken by Di Giannantonio in 1.45.494s.

But Morbidelli responds and regains control in 1.45.465s. Di Gianantonio is the 2nd fastest, RFernandez, Quartararo and Bezzecchi bring up the rear of the top5..Zarco is 8th

There are 5 minutes left in this session and Quartararo must move up a gear if he wants to enter Q2..

Fernandez takes the lead in 1.44.868s. He beats Bagnaia's record! He is ahead of Binder who also produced his effort.

But Morbidelli doesn't give up and once again sets the record straight, he signs a 1.44.726s. Fernandez is the 2nd best chrono. 

Fall of Pol Espargaro.

End of session and it is Morbidelli and his teammate RFernandez who will go to Q2

 

MotoGP Italy Qualifying: standings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit classification motogp.com

 

Q2 session:

The public is ready for this qualifying session which will see the driver take pole! And you ready??

It's gone for 15min

Sanction coming for MMarquez….??

Martin sets the reference time in 1.44.504s. New record for the Pramac driver… He is ahead of Bagnaia, Vinales, MMarquez and Morbidelli.

With 7 minutes to go, the top10 is made up of: Martin, Bagnaia, Vinales, MMarquez, Bastianini, Acosta, Morbidelli, AEspargaro, AMarquez and RFernandez. The drivers are all in the box...except Bagnaia!!

Here we go again..

Fall of MMarquez who was going for pole…in turn 11

Martin's record holds...Bagnaia is 2nd best time. Vinales, MMarquez and Bastianini complete this top5 for the race.

End of session, pole and track record for Martin! in front of Bagnaia and Vinales

Return to the box for MMarquez!

Full ranking: