Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin celebrates with his crew after qualifying in pole position ahead of the MotoGP Grand Prix of Qatar, yesterday.
Doha: Spain’s Jorge Martin clinched the first pole position of the new MotoGP season, setting the fastest time in yesterday’s qualifying at the Grand Prix of Qatar under floodlights at the Losail International Circuit.
It turned out to be another challenging day for Fabio Quartararo in windy conditions as the reigning world champion finished 11th after struggling in practice on Friday.
Martin’s time of 1’53.011 gave him his fifth MotoGP and second pole at the tricky Losail International Circuit, with Gresini Ducati’s Enea Bastianini (+0.147) confirming a Ducati one-two.
Repsol Honda Team’s Marc Marquez, trailing Martin by 0.272 seconds, will start on the front row after finishing third.
Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller was fourth with a time of 01’53.2980 followed by Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia Racing and Marquez’s team-mate Pol Espargaro.
Martin, who took four pole positions last year, said it was a positive start although he felt the speed was not best.
Jorge Martin after a qualifying session.
“I feel good always to be on pole position,” the Spaniard said yesterday. “But I am not 100 percent happy because I lack a bit of race pace.”
“I’m happy with my performance and an amazing lap, but tomorrow from pole we will try to manage the tyres and understand how the race goes,” he added.
Bastianini was also impressive pushing his way onto the front row for the first time in top level with a lap that finished after the qualifying time had elapsed.
Marquez was ahead initially – a 1:53.566 – but his top position didn’t last for long as Miller was the pacesetter after the first runs were completed. The six-time MotoGP champion was happy as he starts on the front row on his return to top action.
“For me, the most important thing was FP4, where I ride alone, I had a consistent pace, the lap time was coming in a good way. So, let’s see tomorrow,” said Marquez.
“It’s true that we need to manage many factors; it’s the first race, the tyres, fuel, the track, all these things. But the butterflies in the stomach will be there, so let’s see how we can manage,” he added.
“This morning I was still too far from the top guys, but this afternoon I was very close. This is enough for me and I’m happy with that pace because it’s true that I’m not the fastest guy out there but I can fight for top positions – not for winning,” said Marquez.
Frenchman Quartararo will open his title defence in 11th, one place ahead of team-mate Franco Morbidelli. He will be one row behind his closest rival last season Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia, who is in ninth place.
“Well, to be honest I feel great on the bike. I just put myself on the limit, but I’m not an engineer,” the 2021 champion said.
“I give my 100% every time I go on track and today, tomorrow and until the end of the season. But it was tough."
"I’m just a rider that is on the bike, I push myself 100%. Coming into Qatar I expected much better, but like always on the pace I’m fast,” Quartararo said.
“But looking at the practice, qualifying practice, I’m not super angry because I know I did my best and I could not do much better. So, to be honest I don’t know what to say,” Quartararo said.
In Moto2 and Moto3, the first poles of the season went to Italy's Celestino Vietti (Kalex) and Spain's Izan Guevara (GASGAS).
The Grand Prix of Qatar, which starts at 6pm today, is the first of a record 21-race season climaxing in Valencia, Spain, on November 6.
Grand Prix of Qatar: Starting grids
MOTOGP
Front row
1. Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati-Pramac) 1min 53.011sec
2. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Ducati-Gresini) 1:53.158
3. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 1:53.283
2nd row
4. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati) 1:53.298
5. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 1:53.319
6. Pol Espargaro (ESP/Honda) 1:53.346
3rd row
7. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 1:53.350
8. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 1:53.407
9. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 1:53.411
4th row
10. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 1:53.481
11. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) 1:53.635
12. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha) 1:53.982
Moto2
Front row
1. Celestino Vietti (ITA/Kalex) 1min 59.082sec
2. Tony Arbolino (ITA/Kalex), 1:59.194
3. Sam Lowes (GB/Kalex) 1:59.226
2nd row
4. Filip Salac (CZE/Kalex) 1:59.287
5: Ai Ogura (JPN/Kalex) 1:59.302
6: Augusto Fernandez (ESP/Kalex) 1.59.339
Moto3
Front row
1. Izan Guevara (ESP/GasGas) 2:04.811
2: Ayumu Sasaki (JPN/Husqvarna) 2:04.896
3. Jaume Masia (ESP/KTM) 2:05.023
2nd row
4. Andrea Migno (ITA/Honda) 2:05.174
5. Dennis Foggia (ITA/Honda) 2:05.536
6. Ryusei Yamanaka (JPN/KTM) 2:05.536
