Jorge Martin takes pole in MotoGP qualifying with track record – Luca Marini and Aleix Espargaro on row one – Francesco Bagnaia only on grid six
Back-to-back poles for Jorge Martin in Buriram: the Pramac Ducati rider beat the competition in qualifying for the Thai Grand Prix with a new track record of 1:29.287 minutes. Luca Marini (VR46-Ducati) surprised in second place. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) was third.
“I didn’t expect to go 1’29.2,” admits pole-sitter Martin. “That’s a really good lap.” He thus distanced Marini by 0.138 seconds. Aleix Espargaro was 0.174 seconds behind. The two also stayed under the old track record (1:29.671 minutes) at the Chang International Circuit.
Martin is confident for Sunday’s sprint and main race: “The general feeling with the used tires was great. I feel strong – for tomorrow and for today. I think we can do well in both races. “
Both Marquez brothers make it through Q1
In Q1, Marc Marquez (Honda), Jack Miller (KTM) and the two Gresini-Ducati riders were the first to battle to advance. Alex Marquez set the early pace and formed the top duo with his brother Marc after run one.
The final run began with a lot of waiting. None of the riders wanted to play the draught horse. One who tried to do it alone was Raul Fernandez. The RNF Aprilia rider moved up to second, but then was passed in the closing stages.
@marcmarquez93 has chosen @jackmilleraus as his marker!
But while he was looking for Jack, @25RaulFernandez has knocked him out of the top two! ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/TakZdSaWzm
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 28, 2023
Both Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio still passed him. Marc Marquez took advantage of Miller’s slipstream to do so and eventually moved on to second behind brother Alex, who set the session best time. Di Giannantonio missed Q2 in the end by just two hundredths of a second.
Several riders crack the old track record
Among the top 12, Martin put himself in the favorite position early on. Already on his second flying lap, the Pramac rider made an announcement with a new track record. His first pursuer after run one: Marco Bezzecchi. Bagnaia was only in sixth place at this point.
How giving it everything looks! @88jorgemartin crawling all over that Ducati!
2nd runs coming up… ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/xEfYxsZ4RQ
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 28, 2023
The two Marquez brothers waited at first, as they had fewer fresh tires available after Q1 than the competition, and only attacked in the second run. In the process, Marc Marquez again sought a fast rear wheel with Bagnaia.
In the battle for pole position, it was really tight in the final phase. Bezzecchi undercut the track record just set by Martin, but he in turn was also able to make gains and reclaimed the top spot. Marini and Aleix Espargaro also passed Bezzecchi.
Bagnaia only in second after late mistake
POLE for @88jorgemartin!
The Martinator is unmatched on one lap pace at the moment! ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/wyk89ddnzn
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 28, 2023
Bagnaia braked at the start of his final lap and was stuck in sixth place behind Brad Binder (KTM). Alex and Marc Marquez finished qualifying seventh and eighth respectively. They share row three with Maverick Vinales (Aprilia).
Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) could hardly take advantage of his Q2 direct entry and had to settle for tenth on the grid. Johann Zarco (Pramac-Ducati) and Augusto Fernandez (Tech-3-GasGas) were eleventh and twelfth.
Di Giannantonio leads the fifth row of the grid ahead of Raul Fernandez and Miller. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR-Honda), Pol Espargaro (Tech-3-GasGas) and Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha) follow on row six. Joan Mir (Honda), Miguel Oliveira (RNF-Aprilia) and Enea Bastianini (Ducati) close out the grid in last place.
