The first two of three days of MotoGP testing at Sepang in preparation for the 2023 season took place in much the same way, at least in the sense that each time Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac Racing) was at the top of the table at midday, in 1 on the first day, 1'58.736 the second : more regular hardly seems possible!
Similarities, yes, such as the control of the Italian manufacturers on the first lines of the ranking, but differences too, which were meteorological with a beautiful blue sky on Friday at the opening instead of a wet track this Saturday constraining the good wills in the box throughout the first hour, or the presence of a KTM, sorry a GASGAS, in 3rd position at lunchtime today, in this case that of a Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) very happy to start a new adventure with the French team that he knows well.
Still on the hexagonal side, we will also note the progression of fabio quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Johann zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), respectively 18th and 19th at midday yesterday, 4th and 13th at today's, while Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), which concluded the first day in style yesterday, had a more difficult start to Saturday…
Unfortunately, the rain returned in force during the afternoon, first forcing the drivers to return to the box, then, given the persistence of the phenomenon, to test their mounts in the wet.
It was therefore an end to the chronometric improvements and top speeds, which allowed us to verify that the Yamaha M1 definitely no longer has much to envy of the productions of Borgo Panigale: Appetizing, at the time of these amuse- mouths!
Due to the rain, these will remain the best top speeds of day 2 at Sepang. pic.twitter.com/AxMAK8V1kr
— Peter McLaren (@McLarenMotoGP) February 11, 2023
In the end, we find four of the five manufacturers in the first four places, with only Honda continuing to worry despite, or perhaps because of, the presence of four RC213Vs in the box. Marc Márquez.
The session ended with a minor fall of Cal Crutchlow.
There is one day left to try to approach the official circuit record established by Jorge Martín last year in 1'57.790...
Ranking of MotoGP Test results at Sepang J1:
Ranking of MotoGP Test results at Sepang J1/J2:
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
