Lorenzo Fastest In Sweltering Brno FP1

Aug 14, 2015
4 min read

Temperatures were scorching for the opening MotoGP session of the weekend ahead of the 2015 Czech Republic Grand Prix. And it was Jorge Lorenzo who ended the 45-minute free practice session fastest.

The Movistar Yamaha rider led the way with a 1:56.499, which was two-tenths clear of the rest. The Spaniard is seeking to take more points out of team-mate Valentino Rossi in the championship standings this weekend after clawing back four last week in America.

Rossi's main issue last week was qualifying, so he was out early banging in fast laps as he searches for the optimal set-up to put him in the best position going forward. The Italian was 6th after FP1 with a lap of 1:57.038 right at the end of the session. Rossi was able to run the same pace as the top two during the race last year, so today's pace is very encouraging for a decent qualifying time tomorrow.

Marc Marquez will be looking to add a third win to his recent streak this weekend, and looks in good form to do that. He was 2nd quickest on a 1:56.650 but did suffer a tumble 15-minutes into the session. He carried too much speed into the penultimate corner, most likely the 2015 RC213V's aggressive and unpredictable engine braking having a hand in that, and dropped his bike into the gravel. Unscathed, he was able to get back to the pits and have the damage repaired. Team-mate Dani Pedrosa also had a very encouraging session. The Spaniard was 3rd quickest on the hard rear tyre. Track temperatures were very high, and the Honda tends to move around quite a lot when grip isn't optimal. This could come in handy in qualifying with temperatures expected to reach 40C. The big unknown remains the race. This track does suit Honda typically, but could cause issues for the 2015 bike, particularly those on the 2015 frame.

Ducati brought a new engine and fairing with them in a bid to regain their early season form which has sorely been lacking in recent races. The new engine delivers the power more smoothly, which should aid tyre life as it should reduce rear spinning in corners. Both Andrea Iannone and Dovizioso did back-to-back comparisons between the old and new bike, and the results were very positive. Running the medium rear and front like the Hondas and Yamahas, both ran inside the top five on the older bike. Both went quicker on the new bike and ended up 4th and 5th respectively. Clearly Indianapolis was a wake-up call for the Bologna factory, and it seems that things are going in the right direction again.

No one is sure of the weather for race day, and this will be crucial for Ducati. The do not have the hard tyre available which may cause problems if conditions are much the same.

Bradley Smith as 7th quickest and comfortably top satellite rider, with Cal Crutchlow and Pol Espargaro some way off in 10th and 12th.

Suzuki ran well this morning. This circuit will play to the GSX-RR's chassis strength, but the point and squirt nature of the track, coupled with steep gradient changes, will be a problem. Despite this Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales were 8th and 9th – Vinales setting his best time of 1:57.753 on the medium tyre impressively.

Aprilia brought a new chassis with them for Alvaro Bautista, whilst Stefan Bradl was stuck with the old one in an attempt to get him used to the bike and get some base settings for future races. They finished 19th and 21st at a circuit which will be tricky given that they aren't running a full prototype engine.

Karel Abraham brought up the rear of the field upon his return from injury in 25th with a lap of 2:01.881.

FP1 Result:

1st Jorge Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:56.499

2nd Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, 1:56.650

3rd Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team, 1:56.784

4th Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team, 1:56.821

5th Andrea Iannone, Ducati Team, 1:56.914

6th Valentino Rossi, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:57.038

7th Bradley Smith, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:57.137

8th Aleix Espargaro, Team Suzuki Ecstar, 1:57.597

9th Maverick Vinales, Team Suzuki Ecstar, 1:57.753

10th Cal Crutchlow, CWM LCR Honda, 1:57.781