ANI |
Updated: 20 Mar 2022 00:21 IST
Lombok [Indonesia]March 20 (ANI): A complicated day, the Honda team was unable to show their speed as falling and rear tire problems held back Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro.
The weather was not on the side of the Honda team as Saturday caught up, the 4.3km long circuit addictively raining and sporadic showers ensuring it stays wet. No chance for a dry free practice 3 means both Pol Espargaro and Marc Marquez will struggle with Q1.
As the track dried up in FP3, Marquez turned on slippery tires and showed that his incredible skill in mixed conditions did not disappear as the eight-time world champion set a series of fastest laps.
The gap further to 1’32.1 to close a Q2 spot was simply impossible in the conditions on the track, but Marquez stamped his authority with a 1’34.067 to start the session. Q1 would be a complicated session for # 93 as he experienced a fall at turn 13 with just under half of the session. He made a classic Marquez dash back into the box, reassembled his second machine and returned to the track only to suffer a second fall, this time on Tour 12.
Pol Espargaro, like his team-mate, pushed himself to the limit to try and get into the top ten overall in FP3 after problems on Friday. With the track still dry, the # 44 could not improve and was rolled out of the pit lane for Q1. Espargaro struggling to find the feeling in the drought with the revised Michelin Heck Slick, Espargaro set the best time of 31,831 – almost 0.8s slower than his fastest time out of the test just a few weeks ago. An understandably frustrated Espargaro starts just behind his teammate for Sunday’s race.
Honda Team Asia in Moto3 gave home fans something extra to cheer on as Mario Aji became the first Indonesian rider to qualify for the top three of a Grand Prix.
Forecasts remain mixed for what will happen during the race, which starts at 3pm local time. Rain was able to offer the Honda team the opportunity to show their true potential, as the revised rear continues to fight for the grip.
(ANI)
Add Comment