It’s a Maverick Vinales as conquering as during the off-season tests which ended with its very first free practice session of a Grand Prix with the Yamaha. On a track that is not very conducive to performance, he has already shown himself to be faster than last year's pole position, achieved by Lorenzo on a Yamaha. But he was also intimidating in racing conditions...
Maverick Vinales perhaps couldn't start his season better. This time it was the big jump in the 2017 season with the Yamaha, a pressure that he managed perfectly: “ I was a little nervous at the start because time is more limited in the official session than during the tests. But after a few minutes, I forgot all that ».
Even going so far as to compose with the track: “ there was a lot of wind. Several times, I thought I would lose the front when exiting the turns. But after a few laps it was better. With new tires, I was quite fast, as is often the case with these compounds. But my running pace is also good. I regularly did 1'55s with racing tires. It is very good. I feel very good on the bike. When you have confidence in the front of the bike, then you can attack ».
And he attacked the guy: 1'54.316. His teammate Red is satelliteed at 1s483. But no triumphalism on this subject: “ maybe he didn't put new tires on at the end. And if that's the reason, then he'll be closer as soon as he rides them ". And for the rest of the peloton? “ You will have to take into account the Ducatis who are very fast in the straight line. Then it's hard to get past them. Marc, Valentino and Dani will be there too. It will be a difficult race for which you will have to prepare well. ».
A preparation with onions: “ we are fine-tuning the electronics. If I improve my braking then it will be perfect. In some places, we also still have a little too much power. I improved my driving style in the second sector. It's very positive because I wasn't very good at it during the tests ».
More tomorrow. The dreaded rain spared this Thursday evening. What will happen on Friday? Response at 16:00 p.m. French time.
Here's the break down of the top 9 riders tonight📋
Hats off to @lorisbaz up there in 6th! #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/cumFYaEpP2
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 23, 2017
1. Maverick Viñales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 54.316s [Lap 17/18] 335km/h (Top Speed)
2. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 54.912s +0.596s [17/18] 338km/h
3. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 55.210s +0.894s [15/16] 338km/h
4. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 55.587s +1.271s [15/15] 333km/h
5. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 55.607s +1.291s [15/17] 343km/h
6. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 55.624s +1.308s [16/16] 334km/h
7. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 55.639s +1.323s [15/15] 334km/h
8. Johann Zarco FRA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 55.792s +1.476s [17/18] 334km/h
9. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 55.799s +1.483s [18/18] 340km/h
10. Aleix Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 55.872s +1.556s [14/15] 332km/h
11. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 55.873s +1.557s [5/17] 343km/h
12. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 56.000s +1.684s [16/16] 340km/h
13. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1m 56.027s +1.711s [16/17] 335km/h
14. Alvaro Bautista ESP Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 56.128s +1.812s [17/19] 344km/h
15. Karel Abraham CZE Aspar MotoGP Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 56.399s +2.083s [14/14] 338km/h
16. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 56.419s +2.103s [8/15] 342km/h
17. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 56.453s +2.137s [10/16] 335km/h
18. Alex Rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 1m 56.502s +2.186s [15/16] 335km/h
19. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 56.725s +2.409s [17/18] 336km/h
20. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 56.725s +2.409s [13/14] 342km/h
21. Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 57.630s +3.314s [11/16] 335km/h
22. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* 1m 57.887s +3.571s [12/14] 331km/h
23. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 58.114s +3.798s [17/17] 333km/h
