Moto3: Suzuki Takes Jerez Pole, McPhee Third

Qualifying for the Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix took place under a scorching Andalusian sun, with the heat presenting familiar, if tough, conditions for the lightweight class riders. 

In Q1, it was Romano Fenati who was fastest and took the top position in advancing to Q2. The #55 was joined in the crucial Q1 top four by compatriots Niccolo Antonelli, who was second, and Tony Arbolino in third, as well as Honda Team Asia’s Ai Ogura in fourth place. 

Q1 saw plenty of waiting around at the start, with the riders in no hurry to rush out into the heat, however in Q2 there was more urgency from the rides in pursuit of pole position. 

It was Tatsuki Suzuki who was able to make the most of the conditions, and he took his second pole position in grand prix racing, and the lap record with it. 

Suzuki’s lap was a special one, and only Andrea Migno was able to get within three tenths of the Japanese; the Italian taking second on the grid in his final lap of Q2. It is also worth noting that Migno is one of three riders with standout race pace across the weekend, and the #16 could prove a real threat tomorrow. 

Completing the front row will be John McPhee, who was able to tag onto the back of Suzuki on his fellow Honda rider’s pole lap. It was the lap directly after, though, that was McPhee’s fastest, and secured his front row starting spot for tomorrow’s race. 

Heading up the second row will be Raul Fernandez, who is perhaps the rider with the most impressive and consistent race pace. In FP3, Fernandez was able to click off 1’46s with relative ease, and if he can get out front tomorrow and stretch his legs the others could be in trouble. 

Other than Fernandez and Migno, only Celestino Vietti has been able to run consistently in the 1’46s in free practice, and in qualifying he was able to secure a second row starting spot with a lap set late on in Q2. Compared to 2019, Vietti’s performance prior to Sunday is much improved. Whereas last season the #13 would often find himself recovering from poor qualifying performances outside of the front three or four rows, Vietti will now be coming from row two, and this could make a big difference for the sophomore’s chances.

Rookie Jeremy Alcoba is the rider who will round out the second row, after an impressive performance in what was his eighth appearance in a world championship qualifying session.

Seventh on the grid tomorrow will be Qatar winner and world championship leader, Albert Arenas, ahead of Romano Fenati after he came through Q1 and Gabriel Rodrigo.

Completing the top ten and heading up row four will be Tony Arbolino – another disappointing result for the Italian who was so fast, especially over one lap, in 2019. Joining Arbolino on the fourth row will be Jaume Masia, who will have work to do from 11th, and last year’s Spanish Grand Prix winner, Niccolo Antonelli. 

Kaito Toba had a fast crash on the exit of turn 12 on Saturday morning. That cut his track time in FP3, and Toba was unable to rebound in qualifying – only 13th for the Japanese, and he will be joined by Filip Salac and Qatar podium finisher Ai Ogura on row five. 

Stefano Nepa qualified 16th and will head up row six. Alongside the Italian will be the Red Bull KTM Tech 3 pairing of Ayumu Sasaki and Deniz Oncu. 

Dennis Foggia was the fastest rider to miss out on Q2, ending Q1 in 5th. The Italian will therefore start from 19th tomorrow, and will be joined by the rookie, Yuki Kunii, and Darryn Binder who was unable to repeat his impressive qualifying performance from Qatar. 

Davide Pizzoli qualified 22nd, and will start from the front of the eighth row. Starting alongside the Italian will be reigning Red Bull Rookies champion, Carlos Tatay, and Riccardo Rossi. 

Ryusei Yamanaka will start from the head of row nine in 25th, with Maximilian Kofler and a disappointing Alonso Lopez starting alongside the Japanese rookie; whilst a rookie duo of Jason Dupasquier and Barry Baltus will start ahead of Khairul Idham Pawi on row ten.

All of Sergio Garcia’s laps in Q1 were cancelled for track limits, and a slow out-lap on his final run meant he didn’t get around to the line to have a final run. The 2019 Valencian GP winner will start last for his home race tomorrow.