Augusto Fernandez rides slowly on the racing line in practice and is penalized – but Fabio Quartararo doesn’t think he would have made Q2 without blocking
A close situation played out at the end of Friday practice for the Australian Grand Prix. Augusto Fernandez (Tech3-GasGas) was already on his out lap. The MotoGP rookie was riding slowly around the Phillip Island circuit.
After the famous “Lukey Heights” crest, Fernandez rolled down the hill off the racing line. Before turn 10, however, he sheared back to the left onto the racing line. At the same time Fabio Quartararo came shooting on his last flying lap.
The Yamaha rider pulled to the left to avoid a rear-end collision. Next to the track, he was able to decelerate before the gravel. The race stewards immediately launched an investigation against Fernandez.
The penalty came promptly. For the Grand Prix, which will be held exceptionally on Saturday, the Spaniard will be moved back three places on the grid. “There are no excuses. I didn’t see him,” Fernandez takes the blame.
In 13th place, Fernandez eventually missed out on Q2 entry just as Quartararo did. But the former world champion does not believe that this unintentional blockade cost him a top-10 place. Under its own steam, Yamaha was not fast enough for that.
“No chance,” Quartararo waves off. “Of course I would have improved a little, but I was already half a second behind.” In 17th place, the Frenchman was 0.994 seconds behind. His lap time puzzles him.
@Afernandez37 was right where @FabioQ20 wanted to be!
The incident is under investigation! ⚠️AustralianGP pic.twitter.com/9ZXKPfgP7W
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 20, 2023
“I went half a second faster today than last year, but I’m only 17th, which is crazy. I rode on the limit to make that 1:28.9.” A year ago, Quartararo was fifth on Friday with a 1’29.6.
What’s the Yamaha’s biggest problem on the fluid track? “Turning. Our bike is getting harder to ride every year. In 2019 it was our strength, now it’s our weakness. You can see that. I’m a second off the top.”
“My teammate is struggling even more. It’s much worse than expected. Last year I qualified fifth, two tenths of a second behind. We improved every day then because the track conditions got better. “
