Morbidelli heads Quartararo and Binder in FP2, Marquez crashes
Spanish MotoGP – Free Practice 2 and Combined Friday Results
Franco Morbidelli hit the top of the timesheets at a scorching Jerez to lead a Petronas SRT Yamaha 1-2 in FP2 for the Spanish MotoGP, though it was Marc Marquez that led the way on the overall classification.
At the venue where it scored a famous 1-2 in qualifying last year – headed up Quartararo’s maiden position – Petronas SRT Yamaha were in fine form to post a best lap of 1m 38.125s.
However, with temperatures escalating to more than 50-degrees in the southern Spanish heat, only Quartararo could improve on his morning best and such was the disparity in the times, his second best lap in FP2 was still only good enough for 15th overall. It means he has work to do on Saturday’s FP3 to get himself into Q2.
Third fastest in FP2 was the impressive rookie Brad Binder, whose late fresh tyre run was enough to lift the South African well up the order and clear of his KTM stablemates.
Marquez was fourth best but not before a low-speed tip off delayed him, while his rookie brother Alex was another come down during the session on the sister Repsol Honda.
Nonetheless, the Spaniard remains top of the overall pile and in command for FP3, which will crucially decide who progresses to the Q2 directly and who must begin with Q1.
For now it’s good news for Marquez, Maverick Vinales, Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Dovizioso, Joan Mir, Jack Miller, Alex Rins, Pol Espargaro, Iker Lecuona and Binder.
