Best results for Marini and Moreira at Balaton Park
Balaton Park CircuitLuca Marini equals his best Honda result, while Diogo Moreira secures his best MotoGP finish
Luca Marini’s trademark cool primed him to take advantage of the early drama of others, the Italian locking in and chasing down Jack Miller in the opening laps. By mid-race, the Italian was through and set his sights on closing down the sizable gap to Bagnaia in third, able to slowly chip away. Attentions would soon turn to a fast-approaching Ai Ogura who was hot on the heels of Marini in the closing stages of the race. Eventually getting past, Marini managed to equal his best result as a Honda HRC rider in fifth place. An important result which moves the #10 to just seven points behind Aldeguer and a top ten position in the World Championship. This is Marini's third fifth place result on the Honda RC213V.
Starting from 11th on the grid, Diogo Moreira made a strong launch and immediately joined the battle for the top three positions. The Brazilian executed several impressive overtakes throughout the 26-lap race, setting a competitive pace and delivering a consistent performance from start to finish. He eventually crossed the line in sixth place, securing his best MotoGP result to date and once again showcasing the remarkable potential he has displayed throughout his rookie season.
Team-mate Cal Crutchlow was determined to make the most of Sunday's race, where he started from 22nd on the grid and had a strong start. On one of the most demanding layouts on the calendar, the British rider pushed hard to close the gap to the group ahead while maintaining a consistent pace throughout the race. Improving session after session over the weekend, he crossed the finish line in 16th place, narrowly missing out on the points.
Like his Honda HRC Castrol teammate, Joan Mir was a benefactor of the misfortune of others and found himself well inside the top ten. Chasing down his fellow Honda riders, an incident with Enea Bastianini unsettled the #36 who managed to regroup. Unfortunately, there was more damage than expected and a strange fall would end Mir’s race as he was sitting comfortably in eighth just behind Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira. He was unharmed in the fall.
After two busy back-to-back races in Mugello and Balaton Park, the Honda MotoGP riders will now have some brief respite before another double-header in Brno and Assen arrive.
This was another dramatic race, always you risk a lot into Turn 1 and fortunately this time I was able to gain something – I hope all the other riders are OK. Overnight we made some setup changes which improved the bike and our race was good, of course we were helped by the situation at the start to gain some positions, but I think we could have made up some ground anyway. I tried everything I could to get back past Ogura at the end, but I couldn’t quite manage it. Still some good points in the championship overall so we must focus on this and come back strong in the next two races.
This was another dramatic race, always you risk a lot into Turn 1 and fortunately this time I was able to gain something – I hope all the other riders are OK. Overnight we made some setup changes which improved the bike and our race was good, of course we were helped by the situation at the start to gain some positions, but I think we could have made up some ground anyway. I tried everything I could to get back past Ogura at the end, but I couldn’t quite manage it. Still some good points in the championship overall so we must focus on this and come back strong in the next two races.
Today I tried to handle the situation as best as I could, and I think we did a good race. Maybe we made the wrong choice with the tyre, going for the medium, as it wasn't the ideal option. Even so, we managed to finish in a good position and with a consistent pace. I'm proud of the work we've done this weekend.
Today I tried to handle the situation as best as I could, and I think we did a good race. Maybe we made the wrong choice with the tyre, going for the medium, as it wasn't the ideal option. Even so, we managed to finish in a good position and with a consistent pace. I'm proud of the work we've done this weekend.
It was probably the most physically demanding race I've ever done. I'm happy with the result because we understand our current situation, but the lap times show that I'm making progress and getting more comfortable on the bike. It's been tough, but I'm pleased with the work we're doing. The racing spirit is still there despite the time I've spent away. The important thing is that we're improving, understanding the bike better and better, and taking positive steps forward every time we go out on track.
It was probably the most physically demanding race I've ever done. I'm happy with the result because we understand our current situation, but the lap times show that I'm making progress and getting more comfortable on the bike. It's been tough, but I'm pleased with the work we're doing. The racing spirit is still there despite the time I've spent away. The important thing is that we're improving, understanding the bike better and better, and taking positive steps forward every time we go out on track.
What a race! I think my footpeg got damaged when I had the contact with Enea but we need to check the exact cause. I was comfortable behind Diogo managing the front tyre pressure, so it came as a bit of a surprise. It’s a shame because I think today there was the possibility obviously to get a really nice result after all of the drama at the start of the race. I am OK which is the most important. The good point of the weekend is that we were able to confirm a couple of points from the past that we had some doubts about with the setup so we can now enter the second half of the year with a clearer idea about a few things.
What a race! I think my footpeg got damaged when I had the contact with Enea but we need to check the exact cause. I was comfortable behind Diogo managing the front tyre pressure, so it came as a bit of a surprise. It’s a shame because I think today there was the possibility obviously to get a really nice result after all of the drama at the start of the race. I am OK which is the most important. The good point of the weekend is that we were able to confirm a couple of points from the past that we had some doubts about with the setup so we can now enter the second half of the year with a clearer idea about a few things.
