Unexpected Start to Qatar GP for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
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Copyright 2024 Yamaha Motor Racing Srl
Heavy showers at the Lusail International Circuit this evening caused delays and ultimately a change in the schedule. With the usual Friday 60-minute MotoGP Practice being substituted for a 45-minute MotoGP Free Practice 2, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team had a chance to complete their first wet session of the 2024 season. Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins ended today’s FP2 in 14th and 22nd place respectively, while Rins' and Quartararo's faster times set in the dry FP1 session put them in 15th and 19th position respectively in the combined results.
Lusail (Qatar), 8th March 2024
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team faced unforeseen challenges on Day 1 of the Grand Prix of Qatar. After a tough start in FP1, Álex Rins and Fabio Quartararo were keen to make moves in the evening. However, heavy rain at the Lusail International Circuit dampened their plans. The 1-hour MotoGP Practice was replaced by a Free Practice 2 session of 45 minutes' duration. The FP2 times did not count for entering Qualifying, but the Factory Yamaha teammates still opted to head out. They used the session to get their first wet laps in of the 2024 season. Quartararo ended today’s FP2 in 14th place and Rins took 22nd, while their faster times set in the dry FP1 session had them finish in 19th and 15th respectively in the combined rankings.
Rins found himself in an unexpected situation when rain kept coming down during the evening session. He had set the 15th time in FP1 and had hoped to make steps, but it wasn't to be. Instead, he ventured out on the wet Lusail International Circuit and completed 14 laps getting to know his Yamaha in, for him, new track conditions. However, having only recently recovered from a substantial leg injury, the Spaniard avoided taking any unnecessary risks. He clocked a 2’10.535s on lap 5, which put him in 22nd place.
After a challenging start in FP1, which he finished in 19th place, Quartararo had set himself the goal of improving his pace. But the rain put a halt to the Frenchman plans. He still used the 45 minutes of the second Free Practice to work on his M1's wet set-up. He wrapped up FP2 in 14th place with a best time of 2’08.702s, set on lap 8/12, 2.158s from the top.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team will be back in action tomorrow for the Saturday MotoGP sessions. The MotoGP Practice session, that decides the entry into Q2, will be held tomorrow from 13:40 - 14:25 GMT +3, followed by the qualifying sessions from 14:40 - 15:20, and the Sprint at 19:00.
Rins found himself in an unexpected situation when rain kept coming down during the evening session. He had set the 15th time in FP1 and had hoped to make steps, but it wasn't to be. Instead, he ventured out on the wet Lusail International Circuit and completed 14 laps getting to know his Yamaha in, for him, new track conditions. However, having only recently recovered from a substantial leg injury, the Spaniard avoided taking any unnecessary risks. He clocked a 2’10.535s on lap 5, which put him in 22nd place.
After a challenging start in FP1, which he finished in 19th place, Quartararo had set himself the goal of improving his pace. But the rain put a halt to the Frenchman plans. He still used the 45 minutes of the second Free Practice to work on his M1's wet set-up. He wrapped up FP2 in 14th place with a best time of 2’08.702s, set on lap 8/12, 2.158s from the top.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team will be back in action tomorrow for the Saturday MotoGP sessions. The MotoGP Practice session, that decides the entry into Q2, will be held tomorrow from 13:40 - 14:25 GMT +3, followed by the qualifying sessions from 14:40 - 15:20, and the Sprint at 19:00.
Massimo Meregalli
Team Director
Álex Rins
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Today was an acceptable day. We struggled in FP1, in the afternoon, trying to find a good grip level. The track was not dirty, but the track was still lacking grip, and in those conditions we struggle a little. But we worked quite hard today. Let's see tomorrow if we are able to be close and get into Q2. The wet FP2 session was just like a test for me. The risk was high: riding in the wet with my leg like this. So, I just said: 'Go out on track and make some laps', and that was it.
Fabio Quartararo
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
We have a lot of work to do. I still don't feel super well on the bike. But we have tomorrow afternoon to find something and try to improve the feeling. We tried a different bike today, but I didn't really like it, and we know that with low-grip conditions we tend to struggle. So, this is what we have to focus on, and hopefully we can make a step in the dry conditions. I expect to give my 100% tomorrow. To be able to enter Q2 straight away will be difficult, but we are going to give our maximum, and I think we will have to be happy with the 100% that we will give.