Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Show Hot Race Pace on Motegi Day One

23-09-2022

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Show Hot Race Pace on Motegi Day One

The lap times were hot this afternoon at the Mobility Resort Motegi track. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli were on the pace early on in the extended MotoGP FP1 session, the only track time for the premier class on the Friday. A time attack at the end had Quartararo take 3rd, while Morbidelli finished the day in 16th.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP riders Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli had to push right from the start of the 75-minute FP1 session. The duo were keen to secure a place in the provisional top 10 as weather conditions are unsure for tomorrow‘s FP2. Quartararo completed the extended Friday free practice session in 3rd place. Morbidelli showed great early pace but in the end wasn‘t able to capitalise on the soft rear tyre in the closing minutes due to yellow flags on his final stint. He ended the day in 16th place.

You wouldn‘t have guessed Quartararo had abrasions on his chest, judging by his strong performance at the Motegi track this morning. He was quick to find a top-3 pace and with 55 minutes to go in the extended FP1 session, he hit the top spot with a 1‘45.807s. He held first place until about half an hour before the end, when the shoot-out started. El Diablo was putting in one hot lap after another to remain in the top 3. He knew it might not be enough and geared up for one final push. He set a 1‘44.558 on lap 28/30 that earned him third place, 0.049s from the top.

Morbidelli steadily improved his pace and climbed up to a fourth place early on in the 1h15m session. The Italian and his crew had been putting in the work since the Aragon GP, and the Yamaha rider was feeling visibly happier on his M1 compared to a week ago. When the times dropped, he initially responded by setting the sixth fastest time of the session thus far. With the pace getting even hotter, the number-21 rider dug even deeper and pulled a 1‘45.065s out of the bag for fifth, but it was brief. With three minutes to go, charging riders pushed Morbidelli down the rankings. Unable to respond due to yellow flags on his final run, he ended the session in 16th place, though he was only 0.556s from first.

Fabio Quartararo

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

"Today was intense, but it was good. Our pace doesn't look too bad, but I was on the limit from the first lap. Our margin for improvement is not a lot, but we did our best, and it was quite okay. The abrasions didn't affect my riding today. It was a bit strange at the beginning because it burns a little bit, but after a few laps you adapt to it. It was okay, even with the extra-long session. And the jet lag also didn't bother me, because I don't suffer from going to this side of the world. We need to analyse well which tyre we'll use. The front is clear, but the rear isn't yet. But our pace seems quite okay, so I'm ready."

Franco Morbidelli

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

"I'm quite pleased with the speed I had today, but not with my final result. Unfortunately, in my second time attack I got two yellow flags, so I couldn't make even one fast lap. I found myself in 16th place when I felt I could have been much higher than that. Anyway, during the practice the pace looked really decent, and I felt quite good. I knew that this track, with this lay-out, suits my latest style a bit more. We also made a step forward with the bike, and that let me do another step. That was really good and interesting to feel. The programme went smoothly and well until the second time attack."

Massimo Meregalli

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, Team Director

"Today‘s session was 1 hour and 15 minutes long. We tried to make the most of this extended session, gathering as much information as possible on tyre options and settings in case Sunday's race will be dry. Both riders were quite comfortable from the start. Fabio is feeling a bit sore after FP1, which is to be expected. He‘s experiencing some discomfort whilst riding, but he is able to cope with it, as shown by the times he set. Both Fabio and Franky have a solid race pace, and that‘s something we‘re quite satisfied about after this first day. Everyone wanted to get in a time attack today in case of rain tomorrow, as expected. Franky was very unlucky. When we was trying to do a final time attack, he ran into two yellow flags on separate laps. It's a real shame because his pace so far is good enough to run at the front. We hope for a dry FP2 session tomorrow so he can have another go at getting to Q2."