Slipstream to perfection as Martin secures pole position for the Qatar MotoGP

Jorge Martin will start the Qatar MotoGP from pole after getting the better of Enea Bastianini and Marc Marquez. 

As we saw on several occasions during the 2021 season, Q2 began with Marquez positioned behind Suzuki rider Joan Mir. 

And after closing up on Mir throughout his first flying lap, Marquez then came very close to hitting the rear of the 2020 world champion. 

He didn’t and it was good enough for provisional pole. 

But Marquez was soon relegated to fourth as Jack Miller put his factory Ducati on top, while Pol Espargaro and Martin joined the Australian on the front row. 

While run #1 was fairly action packed, the second and final run was sensational as Marquez laid down another marker. 

The Repsol Honda rider went over a tenth quicker than Miller after following Francesco Bagnaia, but just like the opening run, Ducati’s incredible power was too much for Marquez.

Martin, who was under Marquez’ time through the first three sectors of his penultimate lap, got a perfect slipstream from P. Espargaro to eventually set a 1:53.011s - three tenths quicker. 

There was a late scare for Martin as Enea Bastianini looked set to beat his time, however, without a slipstream to aid him, the Gresini rider had to settle for second - his best qualifying result in MotoGP. 

Behind the front row of Martin, Bastianini and Marquez will be Miller and both Espargaro brothers - Aleix ahead of Pol, while it was a disastrous Q2 for reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo. The Yamaha rider could only manage P11 - six tenths shy of Martin.

Suzuki were the other big disappointment as Joan Mir and Alex Rins could only manage eighth and tenth respectively. 

Qualifying 1

Q1 got underway with the surprise inclusion of world champion Quartararo who avoided said session at all but one round in 2021. 

The Yamaha rider immediately set the pace with a 1:53.654s, while Brad Binder was just half a tenth back in second following a lovely slipstream being provided by team-mate Miguel Oliveira - unintentional it must be said. 

Impressing early on was Mooney VR46 Ducati rider Marco Bezzecchi as he slotted into fourth behind Johann Zarco - two tenths back on Quartararo. The Italian rookie eventually finished third - P15 for the race

During the final time attack runs Zarco looked set to advance into Q2 after bettering Quartararo’s top time, however, the Pramac rider set his lap under yellow flag conditions as Darryn Binder crashed at turn two. 

One man who did go quickest while also being able to keep hold of the lap was B. Binder. The South African went just shy of two tenths faster than Quartararo who was very fortunate to advance.