Qatar MotoGP, Losail Circuit - Free Practice (1) Results
Reigning MotoGP title runner-up Morbidelli and his A-Spec Petronas Yamaha start fastest during first practice for the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix at Losail.
Zarco, Miller, Honda's Espargaro and rookie Bastianini all fell without harm during the 45-minute session, where a hot afternoon track temperature combined with dust caused a slippery surface.
Bradl is again replacing the injured Marc Marquez, who is missing both Qatar rounds.
Vinales and Marquez (Alex) are without their usual crew chiefs for most of this weekend, after both registered an unclear PCR test upon arrival in Qatar. Esteban Garcia (Vinales) and Christophe 'Beefy' Bourguignon (Marquez) will remain isolated in their hotels until passing a PCR test on Saturday.
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| Qatar MotoGP, Losail Circuit - Free Practice (1) Results | ||||||
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time/Diff | Lap | Max |
| 1 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1'54.921s | 16/17 | 343k |
| 2 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) | +0.125s | 14/15 | 342k |
| 3 | Jack Miller | AUS | Ducati Team (GP21) | +0.191s | 12/13 | 351k |
| 4 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.292s | 16/16 | 346k |
| 5 | Joan Mir | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +0.334s | 15/15 | 345k |
| 6 | Maverick Viñales | SPA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.388s | 7/18 | 345k |
| 7 | Alex Rins | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +0.432s | 17/18 | 350k |
| 8 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Team (GP21) | +0.444s | 8/16 | 348k |
| 9 | Valentino Rossi | ITA | Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.498s | 15/15 | 345k |
| 10 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.824s | 17/17 | 346k |
| 11 | Alex Marquez | SPA | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +0.827s | 16/16 | 346k |
| 12 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +0.833s | 16/17 | 348k |
| 13 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Pramac Ducati (GP21) | +0.950s | 14/16 | 351k |
| 14 | Stefan Bradl | GER | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +1.021s | 13/13 | 345k |
| 15 | Pol Espargaro | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +1.125s | 16/17 | 352k |
| 16 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +1.136s | 4/16 | 347k |
| 17 | Luca Marini | ITA | Sky VR46 Avintia Ducati (GP19)* | +1.148s | 14/15 | 347k |
| 18 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Avintia Ducati (GP19)* | +1.277s | 6/16 | 350k |
| 19 | Danilo Petrucci | ITA | KTM Tech3 (RC16) | +1.309s | 8/15 | 344k |
| 20 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Pramac Ducati (GP21)* | +1.620s | 15/16 | 354k |
| 21 | Lorenzo Savadori | ITA | Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* | +1.638s | 14/15 | 343k |
| 22 | Iker Lecuona | SPA | KTM Tech3 (RC16) | +2.022s | 15/15 | 348k |
* Rookie.
2021 Qatar Tests - Fastest Time:
Jack Miller AUS Ducati 1m 53.183s
Official Qatar MotoGP records:
Best lap:
Marc Marquez SPA Honda 1m 53.380s (2019)
Fastest race lap:
Jorge Lorenzo SPA Yamaha 1m 54.927s (2016)
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
