Quartararo is the only non-Ducati rider in the top eight as Aleix Espargaro does not finish in the top 10
It’s Ducati dominance so far at the CryptoDATA Motorrad von Österreich Grand Prix, with Johan Zarka (Prima Pramac Racing) leading a 1-2-3 for the Balogna marque in FP2, the Frenchman beating Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Jorge Martin ( Prima Pramac Racing) by less than half past ten.
Ducati dominance, Aleix Espargaro outside the top 10
On a dry surface after mixed FP1 conditions, most of the field improved their FP1 times from the start as a busy second free practice session of the weekend opened, with the threat of rain and automatic Q2 places on the minds of the teams. Bagnaia climbed to the top of the grid and was overshadowed by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) before Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was fastest. However, time was going to continue to fall.
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With 20 minutes to go, Quartarara was ahead of Rins and Joan Mir (Suzuki Ecstar Team) and beat the top 10 by less than half a second. Clouds were closing in and with 10 minutes left on the clock, a big rush started in the pit lane to get onto the fresh soft rubber when a light rain started. And it was news for title runner-up Alejandro Espargar (Aprilia Racing) as the Spaniard sat outside the top 10 in 11th, making it potentially crucial for Espargar to get into the previous automatic Q2 places.
Espargaro’s first effort put him in P6, while Martin and Zarca moved up to P1 and P2, while Miller improved but remained in 3rd. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed flat between the penultimate and final corners as Martin, Miller and Zarca quickly traded 1st place.
The Ducatis then locked down the top six with four minutes to go as Francesco Bagnani (Ducati Lenovo Team), Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Marco Bacecki (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) moved up the grid, but Bastianini’s time was ruled out. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) then rounded out the top 10 before Quartararo moved from P11 to P4. Bastianini once again took the time to break into the top 10, ousting Aleix Espargaro – how expensive could it be?
What does the top 10 look like on Saturday
World Championship leader Quartarara is the only non-Ducati rider in the top eight in fourth place, followed on the timesheets by title rival Bagnaia, who in turn is partnered by VR46 Academy companions Marini and Bacecki on 6 and 7 respectively. Bastianini is 8th ahead of FP3 on Saturday morning, the Italian ahead of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Brad Binder in the all-important top 10.
With rain likely to affect FP3, all eyes will be on the sky on Saturday morning to see if there is an opportunity to improve on Friday’s effort. Tune in to MotoGP™ FP3 at 09:55 local time (GMT+2) to see what happens.
Top 10:
1. Johan Zarka (Prima Pramac Racing) — 1:29.837
2. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) +0.024
3. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) +0.029
4. Fabio Quartarara (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) + 0.040
5. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) +0.160
6. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) +0.193
7. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) +0.229
8. Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) + 0.229
9. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) +0.276
10. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) + 0.291
https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2022/08/19/zarco-fastest-from-miller-top-four-within-a-tenth/431634
