Sunday (live on Canal + at 2 p.m.), Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) have no interest in missing their first laps on the asphalt of the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit. Respectively 3rd and 4th in the final qualifying round of the Grand Prix de Catalunya, the two French drivers on the grid will start respectively from the 1st and 2nd row. Spaniard Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) will start on pole with the lap record (1′38′’742) ahead of Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team).
On the 4.7 km long track, identical to the one where my F1 cars usually turn, Espargaro continued on its start to the weekend. In the morning, the Quartararo dolphin in the standings had already dominated the two previous free practice sessions. His efforts had been concretized with the circuit record (1′38′’771), thus erasing the mark (01′38′’853) of the French world champion which dated from last year and which had earned him the pole .
Fabio Quartararo, who re-engaged last Thursday with his Yamaha team until 2024, therefore still has the possibility of maintaining his leadership until the next event, in two weeks in Germany on the Sachsenring track. Despite the lesser competitiveness of his machine at the start of the season, the Niçois has every chance, provided he remains in contact with the two pilots who precede him at the start.
“It was a big fight because we really had difficulties with the bike yesterday, as I said I was driving well but I just lacked grip, says the world champion at the microphone of Canal +. This morning was much better. In a session where we really don’t give 100% compared to the tires, I manage to go very quickly, but as soon as we have to use 100%, compared to the two other bikes in front, it’s more complicated. have more traction, more power, which makes them take up our time. What is certain is that it feels good to be on the front line after a very complicated weekend. »
For Johann Zarco, 5th overall, it is also the opportunity or never to get closer to the provisional podium, the Italian Enea Bastianini having completely missed his session: “They drove very fast, he analyzes, still on C+ . The last lap was frankly okay, but I lost a lot in the last sector. I’m still missing things, I’m not comfortable. On the last lap, I found more ease but as it is always this limit to fall, the experience makes me hold back the body a little too much. The three in front especially on this track, I could have them. »