Jorge Martin continues Ducati’s Sachsenring stranglehold by topping Warm-up

Making a good start to race day, four-time MotoGP race winner Oliveira was once again showing strong race pace as he settled into top spot. 

After finishing fourth in FP4, a session that is the most representative of the weekend with regards to race pace and track conditions for the Grand Prix, the Portuguese rider was unable to find the one-lap pace to match, instead finishing 14th in qualifying. 

After leading for much of the session, Oliveira was then bumped down to second as Jorge Martin began Ducati’s charge. 

With Martin quickest heading into the final five minutes, Jack Miller also started to show pace aboard his GP22 machine. 

The Australian went sixth overall, one place behind Maverick Vinales who was again enjoying a solid session for Aprilia. 

As Martin continued to set very competitive lap times, so did Aleix Espargaro as the Spaniard was consistently lapping within a couple of tenths of the fastest time. 

Miller, who will need to serve a long-lap penalty in today’s race due to crashing under yellow flags in FP4, looked set to take over top spot before losing time in sector three. 

Splitting the two Aprilia’s in fourth, Marco Bezzecchi was looking anything but a rookie as his performances on the Mooney VR46 Ducati continued to impress. 

Despite efforts from Francesco Bagnaia, Miller and Espargaro to pip Martin, the Prima Pramac Ducati rider remained fastest to end Warm-up. 

Can MotoGP champion Quartararo deliver another champion’s ride?

Although Bagnaia is the firm favourite after setting new lap records in FP2 and FP3, along with claiming a brilliant pole at the German circuit, Quartararo can’t be counted out.

Like in Catalunya when it appeared as though Espargaro would take off into the distance and win comfortably, the reigning world champion produced the performance of the season to thoroughly dominate proceedings. 

Friday suggested the battle for victory would likely be between Ducati and Aprilia, however, that’s no longer the case as Quartararo found significant improvements with the hard rear tyre, an option that is likely to be used by most of the grid. 

Tyre degradation has also looked to be in Quartararo’s favour, which was also the case in Barcelona despite pushing hard from the beginning, a strategy many thought would not work. 

If Bagnaia leads off the line then it could prove tough to overtake for the Yamaha rider, but victory is certainly a strong possibility for Quartararo who has got his elbows out when needed.