Marini capitalises on strong Saturday for Sprint points
Circuit Of The AmericasLuca Marini had his best Saturday to date as a Honda HRC Castrol rider, converting seventh on the grid to a hard-fought eighth place as his teammate Joan Mir fell while battling at the front.
A memorable Saturday at the Grand Prix of The Americas for the Honda HRC Castrol team, achieving their best grid positions of the year as both riders brought the fight to the front of the field. After Friday’s mixed conditions, Luca Marini and Joan Mir were primed to show their ever-evolving speed in the hot and dry as the temperature rose throughout the day.
Luca Marini shone bright throughout every session – sixth in Free Practice 2 converted into first in Q1. Earning passage to Q2 for the first time as a Honda HRC rider, Marini was not satisfied and immediately worked for more. A best time of 2’01.737 saw him qualify in seventh place and as the best Honda, just three tenths from the front row.
Primed on the third row, Marini suffered in the opening sector after a close call with another rider and dropped back but quickly recovered. Locked in a fierce battle with Viñales and Acosta for the majority of the race, the #10 crossed the line in eighth place. Two points and his best Sprint result on the Honda RC213V, Marini showed even more of his potential and now sits on 12 points – just two shy of the total he earned in 2024.
Having earned his Q2 pass on Friday, Joan Mir waited for his moment and put in an explosive session. Challenging for a spot on the front row, a late crash would see the #36 unable to improve on his 2’02.008 – the time still good enough for eighth place, just behind Bagnaia and his teammate.
When the lights went out on the Sprint, Mir roared forward and immediately attacked into the tight first corner. Quickly dispatching of the KTMs, he then set his sights on the VR46 riders and a top five finish. An unfortunate front-end crash in the closing stages of the race meant his efforts went unrewarded, but there is no questioning his and the Honda’s speed.
Sunday offers both Honda HRC Castrol riders another chance to show their potential and add to their respective points halls. Marini and Mir have generally fared better in the Grands Prix so far this year. Set to begin at 14:00 Local Time, the Americas GP will be 20 laps and the weather is expected to continue heating up.
A super good day, especially this morning in Qualifying when I was able to make a really good lap. I was able to push the limit of the bike and really enjoy riding after a couple of changes when we look at what we had in Argentina – another step. I’m able to ride like I want, and we can make up ground in the entry of the corner which then helps in the middle and on exit. In the Sprint today I am happy with my result, but we had some vibrations which limited us to get closer to the top five. I think it won’t be as much of a problem in the long race on Sunday, which I am looking forward to because I think again, we can perform well and get closer. Thanks to everyone for their work, not just this weekend but leading up to this point as well. We keep working in this direction.
A super good day, especially this morning in Qualifying when I was able to make a really good lap. I was able to push the limit of the bike and really enjoy riding after a couple of changes when we look at what we had in Argentina – another step. I’m able to ride like I want, and we can make up ground in the entry of the corner which then helps in the middle and on exit. In the Sprint today I am happy with my result, but we had some vibrations which limited us to get closer to the top five. I think it won’t be as much of a problem in the long race on Sunday, which I am looking forward to because I think again, we can perform well and get closer. Thanks to everyone for their work, not just this weekend but leading up to this point as well. We keep working in this direction.
I am really frustrated with today. The crash was my mistake, I didn’t have any warnings during the race, and I had the pace, riding within our pace. The balance with the bike is good and I am enjoying riding it. Of course there is the side that is positive, we are fast, and we matched Bagnaia’s lap time in the race. We have made so much progress over the winter and now we need some more things to make that next step because we are now fighting in a different situation to the last years. Our time is coming from corner entry, we are in a good position in this part of the lap. Tomorrow we can be close in the long race.
I am really frustrated with today. The crash was my mistake, I didn’t have any warnings during the race, and I had the pace, riding within our pace. The balance with the bike is good and I am enjoying riding it. Of course there is the side that is positive, we are fast, and we matched Bagnaia’s lap time in the race. We have made so much progress over the winter and now we need some more things to make that next step because we are now fighting in a different situation to the last years. Our time is coming from corner entry, we are in a good position in this part of the lap. Tomorrow we can be close in the long race.
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