MotoGP Sepang Test Live J1: a strong start to the season for Fabio Quartararo!

As usual, this article will be constantly updated throughout this first day of testing of the 2020 season at Sepang.

The latter will take place from 3:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. French time, with beautiful sunshine this morning but less optimistic forecasts for this afternoon and for Sunday.

Past references:
– Best test lap: 1’58.239 (Danilo Petrucci 2019)
– Pole position 2019: 1'58.303 (Fabio Quartararo)
– Best lap in the race: 1'59.661 (Valentino Rossi 2019)

3:00 a.m. (10:00 a.m. in Sepang): When the track opens, fabio quartararo leaves it to no one to inaugurate the Malaysian route, setting a first benchmark in 2'02.182 for its first flying lap. According to our information, he is using a 2019 motorcycle today, keeping the 2020 for the following two days.

 

 

Obviously, we don't worry about the competition because, if the track temperature is conducive to good performances at the start and end of the session, the asphalt is undoubtedly dirty and, in any case, not sufficiently rubberized to really going to tease the clock.

However, The Devil did not waste time and continued his effort in 2'01.211 then 2'00.781 during the next two runs.

It then precedes Valentino Rossi, Vinales, Alex Marquez, Joan Mir and Brad Binder.

In less than 10 minutes, no less than fifteen drivers took advantage of the relatively cool morning air at Sepang: the season is well underway!

Without returning to his box, fabio quartararo performs a slower lap to let the tires cool before making another unsuccessful attempt.

On the contrary, it is Maverick Vinales who increases the pace to 2'00.325 for his second flying lap, before registering 2'00.077 on the next pass.

At the end of the first quarter of an hour, Aleix Espargaro confirms that the Aprilia 2020 seems to have been born under a lucky star, taking provisional second position.

At KTM, we're not bad either with Dani Pedrosa who seizes the leadership in 2'00.017 during his fourth flying lap, but it is indeed the eldest of the Espargaró brothers which breaks the two-minute mark, in 1'59.427.

 

 

After this first quarter of an hour, which really got off to a flying start, Johann zarco is making its entrance, which is not yet the case for Marc Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso, Alex Rins and Cal Crutchlow.

 

 

After half an hour, Pol Espargaro joins his brother at the top of the rankings, while Maverick Vinales also drops below the two-minute mark.

This is the moment when Marc Márquez enters the track, first cautiously in 16th position after 4 laps, before joining the “club of 4” under 2 minutes…

 

 

Before the end of the first hour, Fabio Quartararo also makes his appearance there and proves to be the most diligent on the track, with already 19 laps completed.

Ranking at 4:00 a.m. (11:00 a.m. at Sepang):

 

The helmet used by Valentino Rossi for testing...

 

 

After this quick start to take advantage of an ambient temperature still contained below 30°, things calm down a little and we begin to work...

Joan mir in turn goes under 2 minutes, which is not yet the case for his teammate.

Work question, the objective of this test is to obtain a basis for adjustments concerning the geometry of the motorcycle, which will only change slightly over the course of the season. The electronics must also be adjusted as finely as possible, depending on this geometry and the engine. Finally, numerous aerodynamic elements will be tested before having a first configuration approved on the eve of the Qatar Grand Prix.

 

 

To top it all, Michelin brought a number of tires to test, starting with a new hard front compound reserved for Factory teams, but also a new soft front construction already tested and still being evaluated, as well as an asymmetrical hard front and two tires different tender rears. We will come back to the subject in detail…

To 4h20, fabio quartararo accelerates the pace and climbs into 2nd position, 65 thousandths behindAleix Espargaro, before seizing the command in 1'58.945 during his 22nd round.

 

 

His teammate Franco Morbidelli then moves into 2nd position, 4 tenths behind, allowing the two Yamaha Petronas to lead the pack.

For the time being, Johann zarco, who is discovering his Ducati GP 19, is moving a good 2 tenths behind Tito Rabat on the same machine and Francesco Bagnaia on a GP 20.
A smiling pilot photographed by our friend Taufik...

 

 

A priori, and although present, Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) and Bradley Smith (Aprilia) are not expected to run today, temporarily leaving room for the Japanese test drivers for the Iwata firm and Lorenzo Savadori for that of Noale.

 

 

Ranking at 5:00 a.m. (12:00 a.m. at Sepang):

 

At Yamaha Factory, where each rider has 3 M1s, Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi try different air intakes (in fact there are two 2020s and one 2019 for each rider) while the carbon swingarm seems to have been relegated to the closet... Except on the test bike of Katsuyuki Nakasuga.

 

 

At Ducati, Andrea Dovizioso tests the new Brembo winged calipers (see here).

 

 

Alex Rins comes to position itself at 25 hundredths of fabio quartararo, on his Suzuki GSX-RR whose new livery we appreciate.

 

 

Less than a second from the best time, Alex Marquez is doing quite well being the best provisional rookie. A family resemblance ?

 

 

At KTM, the duel between Iker Lecuona et Brad Binder is also interesting, even if the first is surprised by the physical efforts required by MotoGP…

 

 

We are now approaching the hottest hours of the day, and only 8 drivers are still on the track, including Fabio Quartararo, Maverick Viñales (stopped for a moment following a fall at the end of the circuit), Andrea Dovizioso, Francesco Bagnaia, Miguel Oliveira, Sylvain Guintoli, Katsuyuki Nakasuga and Kohta Nozane.

The drivers will now hydrate and eat before continuing to work in peace, and, possibly, attempt a new attack on the clock at the end of the day. Finally, it's on paper...

Just before the end of the third hour, John Zarco, then 23rd, improved his first three sectors before losing everything again in the fourth. Adapting to the Ducati seems less easy than for the Honda. His comments will be interesting.

Conversely, Jack Miller progresses and carries the Ducati torch to provisional third place.

 

Ranking at 6:00 a.m. (13:00 p.m. in Sepang):

 

With the heat, the track now seems slower than this morning. Alone Aleix Espargaró still running under 2 minutes and there are only 4 drivers left on the track.

However, at 6:30 a.m., Cal Crutchlow raises your voice, gains 10 places and jumps to 3rd position, thus becoming Honda's provisional standard-bearer in 1'59.234!

 

 

In the wake, Franco Morbidelli attempts an attack which fails only 51 thousandths behind his teammate.

 

 

It would be surprising if the track record did not fall during these 3 days. It is currently held by Danilo Petrucci, during the 2019 test, in 1'58.239.

 

Ranking at 7:00 a.m. (14:00 p.m. in Sepang):

 

Si Franco Morbidelli is currently the most diligent on the track with 50 laps, the convalescents are also fulfilling their contract, starting with Marc Marquez (38 laps despite his operated shoulder), Miguel Oliveira (30 laps despite his operated shoulder), Iker Lecuona (29 laps despite his operated compartment syndrome) and Takaaki Nakagami (26 laps despite his operated shoulder). Of course, there is no question of forcing the first day because you have to complete the next two days before still having exactly one month to perfect your physical condition before the Qatar Grand Prix.

As expected, the sky is starting to cloud over...

 

 

The rain is not going to be long and the track is currently devoid of any activity, we offer you this little interlude which sums up quite well (in our eyes) the 2019 season…

 

 

The rain makes a small appearance at 7:25 a.m.…

 

 

The rain has stopped but the track is still wet. Still no activity on the track.

 

Ranking at 8:00 a.m. (15:00 p.m. in Sepang):

 

The sun has returned and we are warming up the SuzukiAlex Rins...

This morning's top speeds: Yamaha is somewhat reducing its delay on the V4s thanks to its 2020 model. But, according to Simon Crafar (MotoGP.com) who collected it from Massimo Meregalli, the latter seems a little less homogeneous than the 2019 although 5 km/h faster.
fabio quartararo was riding this morning on his 2019 (he will use his factory bike tomorrow) which concedes 9 km/h to the best Ducati. That didn't stop him from making the best time. Always looking for the best compromise. To see if El Diablo is slower tomorrow on a lap, with the 2020….

 

 

Ranking at 9:00 a.m. (16:00 p.m. in Sepang):

 

Just after 9 a.m. (16 p.m.), Francis Bagnaia is the first to get back on the track, followed by Jack Miller, and sets a time of 2'02 meaning that the track is now almost dry.

 

 

 

Takaaki Nakagami, 22nd, admitted his physical condition was worse than he thought after undergoing the same shoulder surgery as Marc Márquez. The Japanese pilot estimates it at only 60% of a full recovery.

 

 

 

The activity intensifies with the returns to the track of Maverick Vinales, Danilo Petrucci, Dani Pedrosa, Miguel Oliveira, Tito Rabat, Katsuyuki Nakasuga and Kohta Nozane...

 Danilo Petrucci is in 2'00.6, Maverick Vinales in 2'00.7: the track is dry and will now improve until the end of the session, in an hour and a half.

For the moment, alone Andrea Dovizioso improves slightly and gains a place but most drivers have tested the grip of the track, and are now ready to enjoy the last hour with a fresher surface...

 

 

 

Ranking at 10:00 a.m. (17:00 p.m. in Sepang):

 

45 minutes before the checkered flag, John Zarco, then 24th in 2'01.333, made his effort and achieved 2'01.060 then 2'00.924: a small improvement which brings him to 23rd position. A lap to let the tires cool and the Frenchman took 19th place in 2'00.464.

Meanwhile, fabio quartararo begins to heat up by lighting the first two sectors in red before releasing in the last two…

30 minutes from the end of the session, Miguel Oliveira gains a tenth and a place: it must be said that the times are relatively tight, with 14 drivers in the same second!

10 minutes later, Jack Miller, then 5th at 0,383, improves all his partials, but gains only 7 hundredths and remains in the same place. On the next pass, it is only 2/1000 away from Cal Crutchlow but maintains the same position.

15 minutes from the closing of the track, all the drivers are now in their box with the exception ofAlex Rins,Andrea Dovizioso and Francis Bagnaia : we hope they are fitting soft tires for the final attack of the day!

Unfortunately for the sport and so much the better for French enthusiasts, this is not the case because the rain returns and all the engines go silent around ten minutes before the official closing. The hierarchy will therefore remain similar to that established before the rain. Tomorrow is another day…

 

 

 

Sepang Test J1 final ranking:

Credit rankings: MotoGP.com