Marquez Ready To Fight From Third Row At Red Bull Ring
Red Bull Ring - SpielbergMarc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team Honda RC213V) will start tomorrow’s Styrian Grand Prix from the third row of the grid, after his final charge in today’s qualifying session ended with a minor tumble at Turn Three.
Honda’s six-times MotoGP World Champion has been on the pace throughout the weekend, which commences the second part of the 2021 campaign, following a five-week mid-season break.
The 28-year-old Spaniard was less than half a second off the pace in free practice and in qualifying, so he knows he has a chance of racing with the leading pack, if he can get away well. Marquez has never won here, but he has scored three second places in his last three visits.
Red Bull Ring is MotoGP’s fastest racetrack. It is also arguably MotoGP’s most picturesque venue, nestled in verdant pastureland beneath spectacular Styrian Alpine peaks, and is renowned for producing breathtaking battles for victory.
Marquez’s final qualifying run was his best and he started his last lap of the session in stunning style, setting the fastest time for the first sector, but he was really pushing the limit and tucked the front as he attacked the third corner. He walked away from the low-speed fall.
During the past two days Marquez has been trying two different chassis, including the latest revision introduced at the last race at Assen. He has been focusing on this chassis, to give development feedback to HRC.
Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda IDEMITSU Honda RC213V) has also shown great performance over the last two days. The 29-year-old from Chiba ended yesterday fastest, an impressive return following such a long time off a MotoGP bike. Today he completed qualifying tenth quickest.
Last year Nakagami twice battled for victory at Red Bull Ring in the Austrian and Styrian GPs and he has a chance to do the same again, even though he was disappointed with his grid position.
However, the biggest question mark for tomorrow is the weather. The latest forecasts suggest heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout much of the day, which could disrupt the schedule.
Nakagami will line up on the grid for the tenth round of the 19-round 2021 MotoGP series alongside fellow RC213V rider Alex Marquez (LCR Honda CASTROL Honda RC213V).
The younger Marquez brother made a great return from MotoGP’s summer break with an excellent ride in Q1. He was fastest in the 15-minute session, winning him promotion to the Q2 outing for the second time this season. The 25-year-old Spaniard will start from 12th, aiming for a fast, consistent ride that will boost his confidence following a challenging start to his second season in the premier class.
Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team Honda RC213V) showed decent pace in the first three practice sessions, circulating Red Bull Ring only six tenths of a second slower than the fastest riders, but once again he was unable to reproduce that performance in qualifying.
The 30-year-old Spaniard is still working to adjust himself and his RC213V to get the absolute maximum from his rear tyre during the one or two laps required for a competitive qualifying lap. He was 15th fastest, so he will have a lot of work to do in the early laps if he’s to get with a fast group. In fact he is one of the riders looking forward to some inclement weather, which may help him achieve a better result.
The MotoGP paddock will remain at Red Bull Ring following tomorrow’s racing and prepare for next weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix at the same track. Then the paddock heads northwest for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 29th August.
Today I am happy about the day overall because we made a step or two and our rhythm is looking good. I am also feeling better on the bike, which is a positive. We were more realistic with our expectations for today. In Q2 itself, the performance of the bike could have achieved more. Not pole position, even with a fast first sector, but we could have been higher. Fortunately it was just a very small fall and I am all OK. I feel better with used tyres than I do on new tyres. Starting in eighth will be tricky, especially passing the Ducatis here, but it will be a long race and also the weather could play a part.
Qualifying in P10 was not what I was expecting but it was good to test the soft compound rear in FP4 for the race, because last year we raced on the soft compound and this year it looked like we would have to change to the medium. Tomorrow looks like there is a strong possibility of rain, so we have to prepare the bike for any conditions and be ready for the race, but I feel confident.
The second day here in Austria was really good, I’m really happy with the step we have made after the summer break, my feeling with the bike is still good. Every time we’re on the track we’re improving and that’s the most important thing. Unfortunately, this morning in FP3 I was just five hundredths from passing to Q2, but I never gave up and I tried to make a good lap in Q1. I was able to get P1 in Q1, it was a good thing and a good lap as normally I struggle to make a one-lap attack. Then in Q2 I gave it my best effort. Coming from Q1 I wasn’t able to improve the lap time, but anyway I think we’re in a good place and a good position for tomorrow. Tomorrow the weather will be important, but I’m looking forward to it and motivated to do a good job.
It was not the day that we had planned or hoped for today as we were struggling a lot. Our overall pace is not too bad, but we still can’t drop our lap times as much as the other riders with new tyres. I hope it rains tomorrow because then we can show what we can do, no matter what I will give my everything tomorrow for the race. Our struggles are the same as before, we are lacking traction and it’s hard after the summer break. But we put our heads down and keep working, this is all we can do.
