KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Bezzecchi narrowly edges out Martin in a thrilling contest for the pole
- Joan Mir and Marc Marquez make impressive Q2 appearances
- Bezzecchi sets the fastest lap of the weekend, breaking the 1 minute 44 seconds barrier
- Brad Binder and others contend with yellow flags in the qualifying session
After a highly competitive qualifying session at the Buddh International Circuit today, the final results are in. In a thrilling race, the VR46 Ducati MotoGP team secured the top spot on the grid for the first-ever Indian Grand Prix. They are the very first team to achieve this coveted pole position in the event's history. Keep reading for a full rundown of this intense competition.
Also Read: 2023 MotoGP Bharat Day 1 Recap: Luca Marini's 1:44.782 Lap Takes the Lead
VR46 Ducati Secures Pole Position for Inaugural Indian Grand Prix
The Ducati team at the factory showed their skills, and the current world champion, Francesco Bagnaia, joined Bezzecchi and Martin at the front of the pack. Bezzecchi barely outperformed Jorge Martin from Pramac by a tiny 0.043 seconds in an exciting showdown. Meanwhile, the factory Honda duo of Joan Mir and Marc Marquez, who were making their first appearances in Q2 this season, did really well, landing in fifth and sixth places, respectively.
Also Read: Shotgun 650 Specs and Dimensions Leaked Smaller Profile Than Super Meteor
Bezzecchi and Martin had an intense battle for the pole position. They initially set some fast laps, but Bezzecchi eventually clinched the top spot with an incredibly quick lap of 1 minute and 43.947 seconds, which was the fastest of the weekend so far. Martin gave it his all but couldn't beat Bezzecchi's time, settling for second place with a lap time of 1 minute and 43.990 seconds. Bagnaia completed the front row with a lap time of 1 minute and 44.203 seconds.
On a less fortunate note, Alex Marquez from the Gresini team had a tough day. He crashed at the end of Q1 and had to undergo a medical evaluation due to rib fractures. His last-minute tumble in Q2 had some unintended consequences. The yellow warning flags caused a bit of a hiccup for his teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, who missed making it to Q2 by just a whisker, with a mere 0.010-second difference.
Also Read: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Specs Revealed Power, Dimensions, And More!
In the race, the top contenders were doing their thing up front. Luca Marini from VR46 Ducati grabbed the fourth spot. Meanwhile, Mir and Marc Marquez put on quite a show, landing themselves in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Johann Zarco rode his Pramac Ducati to a solid seventh-place finish. Right behind him was Fabio Quartararo on a Yamaha, with Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro from Aprilia not far behind. Raul Fernandez from RNF Aprilia secured the 11th spot, impressively leading the way in the qualifying session.
Brad Binder from KTM faced some tough luck with yellow flags and ended up in 14th place. Franco Morbidelli, Augusto Fernandez, and Miguel Oliveira held the middle ground in the rankings. Pol Espargaro from Tech3, Stefan Bradl of LCR, and Michele Pirro on a Ducati rounded out the lineup.
All these riders are gearing up for an exciting Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit. It's going to be quite a race!
Verdict
The VR46 Ducati team's historic pole position sets the stage for a thrilling Indian Grand Prix, with riders showcasing their skills and battling fiercely for top honours on the Buddh International Circuit. This thrilling race has set the stage for a gripping Indian Grand Prix, with intense competition and impressive performances. Racing fans are in for a treat! Also, you can join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Group for all such latest updates from the automotive industry.
Also Read: MotoGP Bharat 2023: Where To Watch, Dates, Time And Everything Else
