German MotoGP, Sachsenring - Free Practice (1) Results
Marc Marquez is straight back on top during MotoGP's return to the Sachsenring for the 2021 German MotoGP.
Sachsenring, the shortest and slowest circuit for top speed in the world championship, was not part of last year's Covid calendar, which also meant Marquez's record of winning every race at the circuit since he joined the MotoGP class in 2013 remained intact. Add in three victories in the 125cc/Moto2 classes and the Spaniard is unbeaten at the track since 2009!
Marquez faces a big challenge to continue that run this weekend, with a best of seventh place since his return from injury and Honda without a podium this season. But while still struggling for strength in his right arm and corresponding shoulder area, Marquez has far less trouble with left-hand corners, which dominate the anti-clockwise German track.
The #93 - finally using his 2021 Honda fairing upgrade this weekend, a Yamaha style 'loop' - was fastest for most of the opening practice session, at one stage leading a Honda 1-2-3 with Nakagami and Espargaro.
Title leader Quartararo, seen carefully zipping up his leathers befroe FP1, following the Catalunya wardrobe malfunction, tested his safety equipment soon after when he suffered a heavy accident at Turn 12. The French was initially reached for his right shoulder, but later gave a thumbs up to trackside marshals and was back on track by the midway stage, those rose up the order to split the Hondas.
Martin and Pol Espargaro also fell early in the session.
Rins is returning to action for Suzuki after missing Barcelona due to a fractured wrist in a bicycle accident.
The top 19 riders were covered by less than one-second, with 1.309s covering Marquez to Binder in last place...
| German MotoGP, Sachsenring - Free Practice (1) Results | ||||||
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time/Diff | Lap | Max |
| 1 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | 1'21.660s | 4/25 | 294k |
| 2 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.168s | 13/20 | 293k |
| 3 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +0.276s | 7/22 | 291k |
| 4 | Pol Espargaro | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +0.350s | 9/19 | 294k |
| 5 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) | +0.380s | 17/19 | 293k |
| 6 | Jack Miller | AUS | Ducati Team (GP21) | +0.391s | 9/22 | 296k |
| 7 | Alex Rins | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +0.416s | 19/19 | 292k |
| 8 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Pramac Ducati (GP21) | +0.488s | 22/22 | 296k |
| 9 | Joan Mir | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +0.512s | 20/22 | 292k |
| 10 | Maverick Viñales | SPA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.593s | 14/25 | 292k |
| 11 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Team (GP21) | +0.600s | 14/25 | 295k |
| 12 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.664s | 14/22 | 293k |
| 13 | Luca Marini | ITA | Sky VR46 Avintia Ducati (GP19)* | +0.704s | 19/22 | 291k |
| 14 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.721s | 13/24 | 289k |
| 15 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Avintia Ducati (GP19)* | +0.817s | 20/20 | 294k |
| 16 | Alex Marquez | SPA | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +0.877s | 23/24 | 293k |
| 17 | Lorenzo Savadori | ITA | Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* | +0.952s | 19/21 | 290k |
| 18 | Danilo Petrucci | ITA | KTM Tech3 (RC16) | +0.986s | 12/23 | 290k |
| 19 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Pramac Ducati (GP21)* | +1.018s | 8/18 | 297k |
| 20 | Valentino Rossi | ITA | Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +1.031s | 22/23 | 290k |
| 21 | Iker Lecuona | SPA | KTM Tech3 (RC16) | +1.068s | 4/24 | 293k |
| 22 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +1.309s | 20/23 | 295k |
* Rookie
Official Sachsenring MotoGP records:
Best lap:
Marc Marquez SPA Honda 1m 20.115s (2019)
Fastest race lap:
Marc Marquez SPA Honda 1m 21.228s (2019)
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
