In this Doha Grand Prix, Maverick Viñales seemed less sovereign than during the last Qatar Grand Prix which took place last week on the same Losail track. But that was before his qualifying round. In 1'53.2, he removed all doubts to take third place on the starting grid. The leader of the championship, as the latest winner, has one idea in mind for this event: leave quickly so as not to let the Ducatis breathe...
Maverick Vinales surprisingly remained in the ninth place zone during free practice and even at the start of the Q2. Then he showed his cards in the final moments, which allowed him to find himself on the strategic first line of the second round of the championship MotoGP. " It was difficult to get to the front row in Q2 » admits the official Yamaha . " Chasing the time was difficult because I didn't really have a good feeling during the first run ", said the 3 Moto2013 world champion. " But as soon as I arrived for the second and decisive attempt, I understood that the bike now worked perfectly ».
« I really pushed the bike to the limit. I had an incredible lap time. When I saw this time of 1'53.2 I said to myself that maybe I had pole. But then I saw that Jorge and Johann were driving even faster, they were great this Saturday. Hat ! » comments Top Gun fairplay.
Maverick Vinales: “Zarco did a very smart job this weekend”
The Spaniard, who temporarily lives in Doha, has not yet prepared a battle plan for the 22-lap race. But the winner on the Losail circuit of the 2017 and 2021 editions still has his own idea: “ we'll just try to set a quick pace. I want to race fast, that's what I like the most. We'll see what comes out of it at the end. Johann Zarco did a very smart job this weekend. He has very good pace, including my teammate Fabio. At the end of FP4, I noticed that Joan Mir was also very strong in race pace. Overall, the start will be big again, as always. And then we will put a lot of pressure in the first rounds ».
« We will adjust a few small things that affect the riding style. The wind also blew a lot, so we couldn't ride fast, especially in sector 3. If the wind blows less violently on Sunday, that would help us at Yamaha in the third sector. But overall I feel good. It is the most important " finished Casa Particular in Viñales.
MotoGP Qatar 2 J2: times
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
