Bastianini boasts fastest time in FP1

May 29, 2015
2 min read

Conditions were near-perfect for the start of the first Moto3 session of the weekend from the Mugello Circuit in Italy.

The home crowd were treated to a home rider ending the session fastest, courtesy of Gresini Honda's Enea Bastianini. The Italian posted a lap of 1:58.247 in the closing seconds of FP1, and was able to do that without the use of a tow.

The Italian took over from Leopard Racing Honda's Danny Kent who had just posted the fastest lap only a lap prior to Bastianini. The Championship leader didn't look 100% settled in that session, hovering just inside the top ten for much of the session. He'll be looking to come out of the blocks swinging in FP2 later today.

Niccolo Antonelli will no doubt be up there in qualifying tomorrow, and showed this morning that he will be a threat after setting the third quickest time of the session – a 1:58.747.

Karel Hanika was the first non-Honda rider in 4th. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was forced to start from pit-lane last time out in France, denying him the chance to fight for good points. If he keeps up his pace from FP1 then he could very much trouble the top three in the race. Isaac Vinales completed the top five.

Romano Fenati took his first win of the season in France two weeks ago, and won at Mugello last year. He'll be hoping that this momentum, coupled with the support of the home crowd will see him return to the top step of the podium on Sunday. He got his weekend off to a decent start with the 6th fastest time of FP1.

Francesco Bagnaia was 7th, with Niklas Ajo, Jorge Martin and Hiro Ono.

FP1 Top 10:

1st Enea Bastianini, Junior Gresini Team Moto3 Honda, 1:58.247

2nd Danny Kent, Leopard Racing Honda, 1:58.545

3rd Niccolo Antonelli, Ongetta-Rivacold Honda, 1:58.747

4th Karel Hanika, Red Bull KTM Ajo, 1:58.829

5th Isaac Vinales, Husqvarna Factory Laglisse, 1:58.981

6th Romano Fenati, SKY Racing Team VR46 KTM, 1:59.015

7th Francesco Bagnaia, Mapfer Mahindra Team, 1:59.044

8th Niklas Ajo, RBA Racing Team KTM, 1:59.055

9th Jorge Martin, Mapfre Mahindra Team, 1:59.273

10th Hiro Ono, Leopard Racing Honda, 1:59.301