Press Release | October 3, 2021
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas News—Sunday
Beaubier’s best Moto2 performance yet
Cameron Beaubier produced his best performance in his rookie Moto2 campaign at his home Grand Prix, taking a hard-fought fifth place thanks to a combative ride in front of his home fans.
The reigning MotoAmerica Superbike Champion admitted his confidence has taken a bashing in recent months, scoring just two points in the past six outings. But a personal best qualifying position of fifth allowed him to dive into the lead at the first turn before settling into his rhythm while contesting fourth.
Cameron Beaubier blitzed it in the race on Sunday for a career-best result.
“Overall, the whole weekend was so, so good for me,” Beaubier said. “It was so good for my confidence on this thing. I’ve been pretty beat down at times and questioning if I even belong here sometimes. Just in my head it felt really good knowing I can run with these guys on a track I’m familiar with. It was awesome.
“I found myself in the lead at the first corner and was like, ‘Woah!’ I ran wide, got diced up a bit by the fast guys up front. I was able to settle in. I learned a lot from those guys, ripping off laps and laps behind them. It’s been a struggle and a fight all year just learning, learning, learning. It was so good racing in front of the American fans this weekend, and my family and friends. It felt good to have a good result and showed our hard work is paying off.”
FIM Stewards come down hard on Moto3 antics
The FIM Stewards dished out their harshest penalty yet after the terrifying multi-bike collision which took three riders down in the Moto3 race, and saw miraculous escapes for both Andrea Migno and championship leader Pedro Acosta.
The three-rider crash was caused by Deniz Oncu moving to his inside on the back straight and clipping Jeremy Alcoba’s front wheel. Migno and Acosta crashed straight into the Spaniard’s stricken Honda and were thrown high into the air. By way of a minor miracle all three riders were OK.
Deniz Oncu has been suspended for the next two races.
Hours later, Oncu was notified he has been suspended from the next two races for causing the incident. The MotoGP field largely agreed with the penalty. “The movement of one rider that created all these things,” said Marc Marquez. “It’s a very strong penalty. Of course it was not the intention of Oncu, but in the end they must go in that way if they want to stop these movements (on the straight).”
Leather alteration aids Marquez push
After a crushing lights-to-flag victory in Austin, Marc Marquez showed yet again that he is still a force, even in his reduced physical state as his right arm and shoulder continue to heal. He later revealed that a change to the right shoulder of his leathers has recently allowed him to move around on the bike.
A nip and tuck from Alpinestars gave Marque an edge at Austin.
“In Aragon, I was struggling with a lot of pain in the shoulder,” he said. “When you have pain, everything disturbs you. With Alpinestars, we made the shoulder a bit bigger to have more mobility. Then we keep with that modification”
On how his riding is still affected, Marquez added, “Still from the brake point to going in, still I don’t feel comfortable like always. I cannot slide the bike and turn. That was one of my strong points. Now I go in like the others and I don’t feel well. In the left corners, I can turn and I can push with the left hand. But in the right corners, just I push with the left, and then I just have under-steering. But it’s something that when I try to push with the right hand I can’t at the moment. For that reason, I crash many times about the front and I cannot save with the elbow.”
Sunday
MotoGP
The King of COTA is back. A faultless display from Marc Marquez handed the Repsol Honda Team star a magnificent seventh win at the Circuit of The Americas, as the number 93 stormed to a second victory of 2021. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) extended his World Championship lead with a second-place at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, with third-place finisher Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) now 52 points shy of the Frenchman with three races to go.
Plan A was executed to perfection by Marc Marquez from third on the grid, the number 93 grabbed the holeshot as Quartararo also got the better of polesitter Bagnaia. The latter then lost another place to the fast-starting Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) on the opening lap, with Pecco then getting demoted to P5 as Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) carved his way past on Lap 2.
Captain America Marc Marquez (93) was back to his formidable best at CoTA, clearing off for what looked like an easy victory.
Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was the first crasher of the race, the Japanese rider was sixth when he tumbled at Turn 12 on the second lap. Further back, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) was making good progress on the hard rear Michelin tire from 10th on the grid, the Aussie grabbed a two-for-one deal at Turn 12 to pass Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) on Lap 3 for sixth place.
After dispatching Rins, Martin was being a nuisance for Championship leader Quartararo, as Marc Marquez stretched his lead to a second for the first time. Miller, having passed teammate Pecco, was now ahead of Rins in P4 and was the man on the move. Bagnaia, in turn, was struggling to keep up with the top five in sixth.
Lap 8 of 20 ticked by and a 2:04.368 was slammed in by Marc Marquez, his lead was now up to 1.5s over Quartararo. With 11 to go, that gap had been stretched to 2.3s, with Quartararo a second clear of Martin. Miller was half a second down on his fellow Ducati rider, and 1.3s behind was Pecco, who had started to find some rhythm – the Italian passing Rins.
Rins leads Miller and Mir, but it was Mir who would punt Miller out of the way on the last lap. He earned a one place penalty as a result.
Pecco then latched onto the back of teammate Miller, before the latter allowed Pecco through with every point in the title race absolutely critical at this stage, especially with Quartararo P2 with eight laps remaining. Now, the question was: could Bagnaia catch and pass Martin for third? With four laps to go, the gap was suddenly nothing, with Martin seemingly looking down at his dashboard a few times. Was Martin struggling, or were Ducati intervening? Well, it wouldn’t matter in the end, with Martin being handed a Long Lap Penalty for not losing enough time at Turns 4 and 5 when he had a front end moment.
In the end though, Captain America returned to reign once again in Austin. Marc Marquez gave Repsol Honda Team their 450th premier class podium with a classy ride at COTA, as Quartararo takes a second place that gives him his first match point of the season next time out at Misano. Bagnaia recovered well to claim P3, but its ground lost in the Championship chase.
Rins was able to finish P4 after profiting from Martin’s Long Lap Penalty, the latter unlucky to finish 5th after another fantastic ride. Sixth place went the way of Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) who benefits from a clash between Mir and Miller on the final lap, with the Rookie of the Year battle close between Martin and Bastianini heading into the final three races.
Quartararo (20) extended his championship lead over Bagnaia. He could clinch the title at the next round.
Mir’s move on Miller at Turn 15 saw the reigning World Champion receive a one place penalty, contact was made with Miller coming worse off. Mir crossed the line in P7 with Miller P8, that result is switched after the penalty, as Binder and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) completed the top 10. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) takes home a lonely P11 with Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol), Andrea Dovizioso (Petronas Yamaha SRT), Luca Marini (SKY VR46 Avintia) and Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT), The Doctor securing a point in his final Grand Prix appearance in America.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) crashed out unhurt on Sunday afternoon.
A dream return to COTA for Marc Marquez then, the King returns to reclaim his Austin crown. Equally as happy is Quartararo, a 52-point advantage means he can win the 2021 title next time out at Misano.
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—MotoGP
| 1 |
Marc Marquez |
(Hon) |
|
| 2 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Yam) |
+ 4.679 |
| 3 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Duc) |
+ 8.547 |
| 4 |
Alex Rins |
(Suz) |
+ 11.098 |
| 5 |
Jorge Martin |
(Duc) |
+ 11.752 |
| 6 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Duc) |
+ 13.269 |
| 7 |
Jack Miller |
(Duc) |
+ 14.722 |
| 8 |
Joan Mir |
(Suz) |
+ 13.406* |
| 9 |
Brad Binder |
(KTM) |
+ 15.832 |
| 10 |
Pol Espargaro |
(Hon) |
+ 20.265 |
*One place penalty
Moto2
A stat to be incredibly proud of: Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) became the first rookie to win seven Moto2™ races since Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) after claiming a third win in a row. The Spanish rookie wonder was unstoppable at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas as the intermediate class title race took a huge twist, with Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – the World Championship leader – suffered a first DNF of the season. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) and Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) earned podiums in P2 and P3 respectively.
Raul Fernandez was impervious at CoTA, forcing Gardner (87) into a rare error that blew the championship wide open.
Cameron Beaubier (American Racing Team) did the home fans proud with a resounding ride to fifth place behind Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s Augusto Fernandez. Joe Roberts (Italtrans Kalex came home 18th.
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—Moto2
| 1 |
Raul Fernandez |
(Kal) |
|
| 2 |
F. Di Giannantonio |
(Kal) |
+ 1.734 |
| 3 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
(Kal) |
+ 3.100 |
| 4 |
Augusto Fernandez |
(Kal) |
+ 4.061 |
| 5 |
Cameron Beaubier |
(Kal) |
+ 5.381 |
| 6 |
Tony Arbolino |
(Kal) |
+ 7.577 |
| 7 |
Ai Ogura |
(Kal) |
+ 11.087 |
| 8 |
Xavi Vierge |
(Kal) |
+ 14.949 |
| 9 |
Marcos Ramirez |
(Kal) |
+ 16.051 |
| 10 |
Jake Dixon |
(Kal) |
+ 18.278 |
Moto3
Izan Guevara (Solunion GASGAS Aspar Team) was declared the Moto3 race winner at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas after a double red-flagged race. The reigning Junior World Champion was first when the initial red flags were shown, eight laps into the lightweight class race, before a frightening multi-rider incident caused the red flags to be shown for a second time.
Izan Guevara won his first grand prix in controversial style after a multi-rider pile-up caused the race to be red flagged for the second time.
Thankfully, Jeremy Alocba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3), Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) and World Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) were able to walk away from the crash, with podiums going the way of second in the championship Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) and John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing).
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—Moto3
| 1 |
Izan Guevara |
(GasGas) |
|
| 2 |
Dennis Foggia |
(Hon) |
+ 0.385 |
| 3 |
John McPhee |
(Hon) |
+ 0.499 |
| 4 |
Jaume Masia |
(KTM) |
+ 0.706 |
| 5 |
Deniz Öncü |
(KTM) |
+ 1.266 |
| 6 |
Jeremy Alcoba |
(Hon) |
+ 1.271 |
| 7 |
Darryn Binder |
(Hon) |
+ 1.391 |
| 8 |
Pedro Acosta |
(KTM) |
+ 1.543 |
| 9 |
Tatsuki Suzuki |
(Hon) |
+ 1.820 |
| 10 |
Andrea Migno |
(Hon) |
+ 2.480 |
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas News—Saturday
Circuit of the Americas set for resurfacing?
In light of the negative comments regarding the track surface at the Circuit of the Americas, MotoGP riders are pushing for the venue to be resurfaced before next year’s event, which is scheduled to take place next April.
Takaaki Nakagami had some very strong words about the future of the race of the resurfacing request is not met.
This was a hot discussion point in Friday evening’s Safety Commission meeting, on which Takaaki Nakagami revealed, “Someone said that it’s impossible to make the race, someone said, too dangerous, this is the worst track on the calendar. But Dorna said that they will request and try to push to resurface, not all the circuit, but I think from Turn 2 to Turn 10. At least Turn 2 to Turn 10 they need to repair everything. And this is what riders requested. And final decision will come from the circuit. They said that from our side, from MotoGP, if they circuit say they don’t want to resurface, I don’t think we will come back.”
Esteban Garcia back with KTM
KTM has confirmed the acquisition of Esteban Garcia to its technical team for the 2022 season. Garcia was working as Maverick Viñales’ crew chief at the start of this year, only to leave at his own accord ahead of the Catalan Grand Prix with his rider enduring a poor spell of form.
Esteban Garcia is now firmly back with KTM.
From next year he will work between both the KTM factory and the Tech 3 Satellite team. As Tech 3 Team Boss Hervé Poncharal explained, “KTM is a company that is so involved in racing. When Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez decided to move up to the MotoGP class, they wanted to be sure they got the right support. KTM wanted to put the two teams on the same level and liaise between them. Esteban will liaise between the two teams to take pressure off the crew chiefs. He will have a key role next year.”
Tire issues surface again
Not for the first time in 2021, Michelin’s quality control was called into question. This time it was Jack Miller who suffered from a puzzling lack of grip in an underwhelming qualifying attack, which led to a disappointing 10th position.
Jack Miller’s 10th in qualifying hasn’t dented his popularity with the Texas fans.
“It’s happened a few times and I can tell you one thing: I am getting fucking sick of it anyway,” Miller fumed. “It is what it is. We go forward and hopefully, it doesn’t happen tomorrow. I’m trying my best, keeping calm, trying to do my job, working for the race. What’s in my control I’m trying to do the best I can.”
On this occasion, Michelin pointed to the excessive time Miller took to complete his out lap before his final qualifying as the reason for the sub-optimal performance.
Saturday
MotoGP
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) will start from pole position at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas after setting a blistering 2:02.781 in MotoGP™ Q2. Pecco becomes the first Italian to claim three MotoGP™ poles in a row since Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) in 2009, and Bagnaia will start alongside World Championship leader and rival Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) qualifies off pole position at COTA for the first time, but it’s a first front row of the season for the eight-time World Champion in third.
Francesco Bagnaia’s brilliant form continues with pole in Austin.
Reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) found himself in Q1 and in the opening 15 minutes of qualifying, the Spaniard made no mistake – but Mir wasn’t the fastest rider to go through. Rookie Luca Marini (SKY VR46 Avintia) set a 2:03.410 to sail into Q2 a tenth and a half quicker than anyone else, as we saw Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) crash unhurt.
A few quiet moments later, the Texas pole position battle commenced. Rookie sensation Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) set the initial 2:03.278 benchmark time while shadowing six-time COTA winner Marc Marquez. The latter then demoted Martin from P1 with a 2:03.209, with fellow HRC rider Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) climbing into provisional P3.
Fabio Quartararo will start second on the grid.
After the first runs, Free Practice pacesetter Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) was P8, 0.511s down on Marquez’ lap time. Quartararo and Bagnaia were sitting P5 and P6 respectively, Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) was just ahead of the title-chasing duo in P4. Fresh Michelin rubber was then slotted into the respective machines and the riders emerged from pitlane with just under five minutes to go. Who would go on to claim pole in Austin?
Pecco was giving it a proper crack. The Italian was 0.295s under Marquez’ lap halfway around COTA’s 5.5km layout, and at the third split, he was 0.4s under. Crossing the line, Bagnaia launched to provisional pole position and soon after, Quartararo slotted into P2 – 0.3s off his rival. Marc Marquez was unable to improve his lap time, the number 93 could do no better than P3, with Miller encountering issues on his second run.
For the first time in Austin MotoGP history, Marc Marquez will not start from pole.
Attentions turned to Quartararo though, who had crossed the line in time to get another lap under his belt. A red first sector time was followed by two personal best sectors, however, the Frenchman was unable to improve. Nevertheless, P2 for Quartararo is plenty good enough all things considered, with Bagnaia bringing his A-game to qualifying once again – that’s three Saturday P1s in a row now for the man hunting Quartararo in the Championship.
Martin will lead the second row from Nakagami and Zarco, with the two Team Suzuki Ecstar riders lining up P7 and P8 on Row 3 – Alex Rins beating teammate Mir by 0.075s. Marini’s P9 is his second best qualifying result of the year, a fantastic job done by the Italian in Austin so far this weekend, with a very disappointed Miller having to settle for P10. The Australian’s Q2 didn’t go to plan at all, and Miller has plenty of work to do on Sunday after showing superior pace up to this point. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) will line up P11 and P12 for the GP of The Americas.
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—MotoGP Q2
| 1 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Duc) |
2:02.781 |
| 2 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Yam) |
+ 0.348 |
| 3 |
Marc Marquez |
(Hon) |
+ 0.428 |
| 4 |
Jorge Martin |
(Duc) |
+ 0.497 |
| 5 |
Takaaki Nakagami |
(Hon) |
+ 0.511 |
| 6 |
Johann Zarco |
(Duc) |
+ 0.598 |
| 7 |
Alex Rins |
(Suz) |
+ 0.672 |
| 8 |
Joan Mir |
(Suz) |
+ 0.747 |
| 9 |
Luca Marini |
(Duc) |
+ 0.765 |
| 10 |
Jack Miller |
(Duc) |
+ 0.939 |
Moto2
Raul Fernandez came out on top in another Red Bull KTM Ajo qualifying duel at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas as the top two in the World Championship lineup P1 and P2 on the grid for Sunday’s race. Title race leader Gardner was 0.320s off Fernandez’ 2:08.979, as Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) earned a first front row start since the German GP.
Raul Fernandez was spectacular, saving his best until the very last moment to snatch the Moto2 pole.
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—Moto2 Q2
| 1 |
Raul Fernandez |
(Kal) |
2:08.979 |
| 2 |
Remy Gardner |
(Kal) |
+ 0.320 |
| 3 |
F. Di Giannantonio |
(Kal) |
+ 0.478 |
| 4 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
(Kal) |
+ 0.578 |
| 5 |
Cameron Beaubier |
(Kal) |
+ 0.605 |
| 26 |
Joe Roberts |
(Kal) |
+1.020 |
Moto3
For the first time since the Grand Prix of Doha, Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) will start from pole position thanks to a 2:15.986 in Moto3 Q2 at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas.
Masia led the chasing pack around CoTA on Saturday to take the Moto3 pole.
Second in the title race Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) will launch from P2, job done for the Italian who has Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) for company on the front row, but it was a disappointing session for World Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—Moto3 Q2
| 1 |
Jaume Masia |
(KTM) |
2:15.986 |
| 2 |
Dennis Foggia |
(Hon) |
+ 0.193 |
| 3 |
Jeremy Alcoba |
(Hon) |
+ 0.196 |
| 4 |
Izan Guevara |
(GasGas) |
+ 0.325 |
| 5 |
Xavier Artigas |
(Hon) |
+ 0.348 |
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas News—Friday
How to deal with Young riders dying?
Motorcycle racing was once again thrown into a period of introspection after the death of Dean Berta Viñales in the World Supersport 300 race at Jerez last week. This was the third death of a teenager in four months, after Jason Dupasquier in Moto3 qualifying for the Italian GP in June and Hugo Millan at a European Talent Cup race at Aragon in July.
The MotoGP paddock gathers to mourn the death of Dean Berta Vinales.
Most riders acknowledged there are no easy answers to this recent crisis, although some offered explanations. “It’s happening more than some years ago just because there are more young kids racing,” said Aleix Espargaro. Parity of equipment was also a factor. “The talent of these young guys is amazing and they reach the level of these small bikes with these small engines very quick, so the difference between them is so small.”
While possible solutions were in short supply, Jack Miller spoke for everyone, saying, “I think I speak on behalf of everybody when I say I’m getting sick and tired of going to these minutes of silence for kids that were so, so young. It’s just so bad. That can’t continue on.”
Viñales sits out CotA
In light of the tragedy at Jerez, Maverick Viñales decided to sit the weekend out. The Catalan actually flew to Texas but came to the decision he wasn’t in the right mindset to compete when he landed on Wednesday. Viñales posted his explanation on Instagram, writing, “I would have liked to race for my cousin but at the moment my emotions are too deep and it makes it difficult for me to remain focused. Thank you all.”
Maverick Vinales will not race this weekend at CoTA.
A comment from the team said, “Less than a week has passed since the accident, which is not enough time to regain the serenity needed to race. Maverick, with the full and unconditional support of Aprilia Racing, has therefore decided to take a break on his journey of getting to know the bike and team from Noale. The entire Aprilia Racing family supports this decision and stands with Maverick and his loved ones.”
Circuit of the Americas track surface slated
The track surface at the Circuit of the Americas came in for fresh criticism, with its numerous bumps more pronounced than on our last visit here in 2019. Fabio Quartararo called it, “A joke.” Aleix Espargaro labeled it “a nightmare.” And reigning World Champion Joan Mir spelled out a bleak future for the track. “if we come back (in 2022) and they don’t resurface there is no chance to race.”
Mir is not at all happy about the Austin track surface.
Work has been done to the track since 2019, with the track resurfaced in patches, most notably in the fourth sector. However, bumps in turns two, three, four, and, especially, ten are critical. “Places like turn ten are too much on the limit from a safety point of view because you can really mess it up and it’s not a fault of your own. You just lose contact with the tires and you can have a big crash. It’s a bit sketchy.”
Friday
MotoGP
Fastest in the wet, fastest in the dry – Day 1 at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas firmly belonged to Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), but Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller is a very close second heading into qualifying day. Marquez’ 2:04.164 was only 0.015s faster than the Australian’s effort, with World Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) claiming third.
After a damp opening Free Practice session on Friday morning, dry conditions greeted the premier class riders in the afternoon sun as we got ourselves set for a crucial 45 minutes. Wet weather is forecast to disrupt qualifying day, so FP2 could well decide who is heading into Q2 automatically.
Marc Marquez led the field after Q2 at Austin.
Immediately, Captain America set the pace. Six-time COTA winner Marc Marquez was half a second clear of Miller after 20 minutes of dry track time, with just seven riders within a second of the number 93 in the early stages. Miller then cut Marquez’ advantage to 0.123s with just under 15 minutes to go, as soft Michelin tires were then fitted for a mini Friday afternoon qualifying stint.
Second in the title race Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) were the first riders to beat Marquez’ time, the Japanese rider the faster of the two, as Miller then went P2 ahead of teammate Pecco. An Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) crash at Turn 18 and a Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) tumble at Turn 12 then brought out the yellow flags for a brief period, meaning plenty of lap times were canceled – both riders were ok.
Quartararo then shot to P1 by over two tenths before Marc Marquez – after slipping to the lower ends of the top 10 – returned to first place. Miller threatened to take top spot honors away from Marquez but the Aussie’s final lap was just shy – 0.015s separating the duo at the end of play.
Jack Miller was a close second.
Behind the leading trio is Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team), the Spaniard looking good in both wet and dry conditions at COTA, and with Nakagami fifth, it’s a very promising opening day for Honda. Bagnaia is in the mix in P6, the Italian just under half a second away from Marquez’ time, with Pramac Racing pair Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco seventh and eighth respectively. 2019 Austin winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Misano podium finisher Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama) complete a top 10 covered by 0.6s.
It looks like rain is on the way ahead of FP3 in Austin, so that top 10 could be the automatic Q2 qualifiers. Marc Marquez is fastest in both the wet and the dry, however, Miller is on the Sheriff’s case.
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—Friday MotoGP
| 1 |
Marc Marquez |
(Hon) |
2:04.164 |
| 2 |
Jack Miller |
(Duc) |
+ 0.015 |
| 3 |
Fabio Quartararo |
(Yam) |
+ 0.202 |
| 4 |
Pol Espargaro |
(Hon) |
+ 0.388 |
| 5 |
Takaaki Nakagami |
(Hon) |
+ 0.448 |
| 6 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
(Duc) |
+ 0.499 |
| 7 |
Jorge Martin |
(Duc) |
+ 0.513 |
| 8 |
Johann Zarco |
(Duc) |
+ 0.559 |
| 9 |
Alex Rins |
(Suz) |
+ 0.638 |
| 10 |
Enea Bastianini |
(Duc) |
+ 0.672 |
Moto2
Raul Fernandez led the way in Moto2.
It’s a familiar 2021 story at the top of the Moto2™ standings with Red Bull KTM Ajo claiming a 1-2 on Friday at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, but Raul Fernandez laid down the gauntlet in a dry FP2. The Spaniard set a 2:09.880 to beat teammate and title rival Remy Gardner by 0.199s, with Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s Sam Lowes 0.654s back in third.
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—Friday Moto2
| 1 |
Raul Fernandez |
(Kal) |
2:09.880 |
| 2 |
Remy Gardner |
(Kal) |
+ 0.199 |
| 3 |
Sam Lowes |
(Kal) |
+ 0.654 |
| 4 |
Tony Arbolino |
(Kal) |
+ 0.793 |
| 5 |
Aron Canet |
(Bos) |
+ 0.829 |
| 14 |
Cameron Beaubier |
(Kal) |
+1.375 |
| 21 |
Joe Roberts |
(Kal) |
+1.735 |
Moto3
Filip Salac led the Moto3 field on Friday.
Filip Salac (CarXpert PrüstelGP) fronts the Moto3 field on Day 1 at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas after ending a dry FP2 on top, thanks to a 2:17.280. Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy) is second just 0.086s adrift of Salac’s pace, with title-chasing Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) completing the top three at the Circuit of the Americas.
2021 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas—Friday Moto3
| 1 |
Filip Salac |
(KTM) |
2:17.280 |
| 2 |
Niccolo Antonelli |
(KTM) |
+ 0.086 |
| 3 |
Dennis Foggia |
(Hon) |
+ 0.126 |
| 4 |
Jaume Masia |
(KTM) |
+ 0.213 |
| 5 |
Xavier Artigas |
(Hon) |
+ 0.282 |
For more MotoGP news and results, click here
