Honda riders left wanting more on Friday in Germany
SachsenringAll Honda riders will head to Q1 in tomorrow's Qualifying
The midway point of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship officially began at the Sachsenring today, where stable conditions across the Friday action allowed for plenty of data gathering around the 3.67-kilometre-long circuit. Tantalisingly tight times brought the action early to the German GP as 20 riders lapped within a second of each other to commence Friday.
For Luca Marini, Friday was a day of dedicated work after a tougher than expected start to track action. Moving into the top five in the afternoon with less than 20 minutes of the day remaining after improving his lap time by one and a half seconds, Marini would unfortunately be caught short as the field upped their pace in the closing minutes of the afternoon. 0.820s back on Marc Marquez and less than two tenths from the top ten, Marini ended the day in 14th overall and will head to Q1 once again.
Joan Mir started the day in fine form, setting times comfortably in the top five and ending Free Practice 1 in fourth, just 0.115s shy of first. His speed would continue into the early stage of the afternoon as the #36 remained a near permanent fixture around the top five until a sudden flurry of flying laps shuffled the standings with just a few minutes left. Running off track on his last run after a near fall, Mir would be unable to improve his best time from a 1’20.228 to launch a final challenge on the top ten. He finished the day in 16th.
Although Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira experienced some struggles, he set a competitive lap time finishing close to the frontrunners. However, the tight times meant that he was unable to earn a Q2 spot and ended the day in 17th place.
Cal Crutchlow, who continues to ride in place of the injured Johann Zarco at Castrol Honda LCR, worked closely with the team to improve his feeling on the bike. The Brit demonstrated consistent pace and made positive steps throughout the sessions. At the end of Practice Crutchlow was 21st.
With less than a tenth of a second splitting up to six riders, even a small step forward in lap times on Saturday could produce big rewards.
I was expecting more after the improvement we made from this morning. The soft front to do one lap is very good, but I think for the race we need to go another direction – so good to find this information today. We need to work to improve our turning a bit, especially in sector two we need to find something. There were some things outside our control in the morning which limited us a lot, I kept calm because there was not anything we could do. The times are really tight so I think we had the ability to be in Q2 and tomorrow we can be there fighting because the condition of the circuit is improving with each lap.
I was expecting more after the improvement we made from this morning. The soft front to do one lap is very good, but I think for the race we need to go another direction – so good to find this information today. We need to work to improve our turning a bit, especially in sector two we need to find something. There were some things outside our control in the morning which limited us a lot, I kept calm because there was not anything we could do. The times are really tight so I think we had the ability to be in Q2 and tomorrow we can be there fighting because the condition of the circuit is improving with each lap.
There are a couple of points that are holding us back. We were able to be very competitive in the morning and the start of the afternoon, but then when the others made a step, we couldn't do the same. Sachsenring is a circuit that has never played to my strongest points as a rider, so I am struggling to make the difference like in other tracks. Some ideas to try tonight to improve because I think we still have some margin to improve. I saved a big high side in Turn 7 that sent me into the gravel.
There are a couple of points that are holding us back. We were able to be very competitive in the morning and the start of the afternoon, but then when the others made a step, we couldn't do the same. Sachsenring is a circuit that has never played to my strongest points as a rider, so I am struggling to make the difference like in other tracks. Some ideas to try tonight to improve because I think we still have some margin to improve. I saved a big high side in Turn 7 that sent me into the gravel.
It’s great to ride on a MotoGP track. It’s a short circuit, so finding the perfect line isn’t easy. We’re also working on improving the bike because we’ve been struggling to put together a strong lap in time attack. Hopefully, we can make another step forward tomorrow.
It’s great to ride on a MotoGP track. It’s a short circuit, so finding the perfect line isn’t easy. We’re also working on improving the bike because we’ve been struggling to put together a strong lap in time attack. Hopefully, we can make another step forward tomorrow.
I’m happy with the pace we had today. I didn't have the perfect feeling with the bike, but our pace is competitive, so I’m pleased with that. I think we’re doing a good job, and considering where we are and what our goals are, it’s been a solid day. Let’s see what tomorrow brings!
I’m happy with the pace we had today. I didn't have the perfect feeling with the bike, but our pace is competitive, so I’m pleased with that. I think we’re doing a good job, and considering where we are and what our goals are, it’s been a solid day. Let’s see what tomorrow brings!
