Eighth in FP1 behind the 2 official Ducatis of Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci, Jack Miller had the luxury of finishing the 2nd free practice session of the Qatar Grand Prix in 3rd position, taking the lead over the two holders of Borgo Panigale.
The 24-year-old Australian driver who has a GP19 can therefore be satisfied with this first day, and he is: “It’s been a positive start to the season ahead of the Grand Prix. During the first session, we managed to run on medium tires all the time. I then set my best time of FP1 on lap 17, with very worn tires, so I was really happy. Because the rhythm was also good. And in FP2, I first did a longer run than usual, I did ten laps. I was able to set times in 1'55 all the time, but unfortunately I was blocked by Pol Espargaró on my last lap. Otherwise it would have been ten perfect rounds.
Finally, we put new tires in FP2 so that we could perhaps secure a place in Q2 very early, since FP3 will take place tomorrow in broad daylight with high temperatures. I am satisfied with our performance, with the medium and soft tires.
I rode alone in 1'53.9 and we still have something in the grip. I didn't do the ideal lap, I still need to improve at the start of the third sector. And you saw with Marc who followed Maverick. It makes a big difference! »
Jack Miller is certainly 3rd, but already 1/2 second behind Marc Márquez and his new record. Where does the Pramac rider mainly lose time against the Honda?
“I can’t say exactly yet. Looks like the Honda has a powerful engine. But I was second behind Marc in top speed, so I have no right to complain. The bike is fast. Today, I was behind Fabio Quartararo, it was in FP1. It was the first time since the beginning of winter that I followed someone. In fast corners it seems to be able to ride more smoothly. So I had to adapt my driving style a little. I also changed a few things on the bike to make this riding style possible. This allowed me to drive faster in turns. That’s how we made progress.”
Except Marc Márquez who was able to create a gap of almost 1/2 second, the times are quite close in the following places, and the official Ducati have today conceded 5 and 25 hundredths, for respectively Danilo Petrucci et Andrea Dovizioso.
Will it be the same tomorrow? Not so sure, but Jack Miller has already demonstrated one thing: he is much faster on the Ducati GP19 than last year's GP17, and let's not talk about his old Honda!
FP2 MotoGP ranking at Losail :
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
