Never off the Marc

Fast pace: Spain’s Marc Marquez from Ducati Lenovo Team zooming past during free practice at the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

SEPANG: Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez survived an early crash during practice at the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prixbut made it up by topping the charts yesterday at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Marquez, who started the morning with the fastest time in free practice one, shook off a crash in the afternoon qualifying practice session to take the top spot once again for Ducati.

He pipped younger brother Alex Marquez of Gresini in the afternoon session, while a late lap from Trackhouse Aprilia’s Ai Ogura saw the Japanese rider take third.

While several other riders complained about worsened track conditions following the circuit’s hosting of the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix earlier this month, Marquez concurred it was time for a resurfacing.

“I don’t feel a big difference compared to the testing that we did earlier this year,” said the seven-time world champion.

“But honestly speaking, we have been saying since last year that it’s time to resurface.”

Marc Marquez.

Having won twice in Sepang in 2014 and 2018, Marquez is no stranger to the Malaysian track, and apart from the small hiccup, he felt he was on track to have a good weekend.

“From the first lap I was feeling good; opting for the medium rear tyre was also a good feeling.

“Apart from the small crash at turn 15, which was where I took more risks, the rest was perfect,” he said.

Marquez’s closest championship contender, Jorge Martin of Aprilia, had his day cut short after completing only three laps in the afternoon session before returning to the pits.

The top 10 riders during the afternoon session advanced directly into the second qualifying session today.

The remaining riders will start in first session, with the two fastest riders advancing into second qualifying to determine the top 12 starting grid.

RESULTS

FREE PRACTICE 1

1. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo) 1:58.912, 2. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) +0.474, 3. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM) +0.474, 4. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) +0.776, 5. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) +0.825, 6. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina VR46 Ducati) +0.883, 7. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Ducati) +0.989, 8. Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) +1.241, 9. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina VR46 Ducati) +1.325, 10. Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) +1.348,

11. Alex Rins (Monster Yamaha) +1.358, 12. Jack Miller (Pramac Yamaha) +1.412, 13. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) +1.418, 14. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) +1.419, 15. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) +1.508, 16. Maverick Vinales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) +1.545, 17. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) +1.669, 18. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) +1.697, 19. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia) +1.704, 20. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) +1.835, 21. Augusto Fernandez (Yamaha Factory Racing) +2.198, 22. Iker Lecuona (BK8 Gresini Ducati) +2.764.

PRACTICE

(Qualified for qualifying two)

1. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo) 1:57.00, 2. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Ducati) +0.109, 3. Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia) +0.167, 4. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM) +0.380,

5. Fabia Di Giannantonio (Pertamina VR46 Ducati) +0.422, 6. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) +0.475, 7. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) +0.545, 8. Maverick Vinales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) +0.547, 9. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina VR46 Ducati) +0.582, 10. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) +0.618.

Riders in qualifying one

11. Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) +0.805, 12. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) +0.807, 13. Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) +0.913, 14. Alex Rins (Monster Yamaha) +1.161, 15. Iker Lecuona (BK8 Gresini Ducati) +1.192, 16. Jack Miller (Pramac Yamaha) +1.208, 17. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) +1.462, 18. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) +1.499, 19. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) +1.604, 20. Augusto Fernandez (Yamaha Factory Racing) +2.376, 21. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) +2.670.