Gonzalez on the front row again; Agius to attack from row four
The two Moto2 riders of the LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Team have thoroughly prepared for the 16th race of the season in Japan. Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez will start from third place, so he has a clear view on the turn one. Teammate Senna Agius confident his strong race pace can pay off on Sunday.
As in previous years, the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend marks the start of the World Championship’s annual Asia/Australia tour, which takes place in October and November. In the land of the Rising Sun, the massive Mobility Resort Motegi complex serves as the venue.
On day one of practice at Motegi, 24-year-old Manuel Gonzalez left no doubt that the move from Europe to overseas would not affect him, and he underscored this more than clearly by setting fastest lap time in Friday’s Free Practice 1. Finishing second later in Practice Session, the Spaniard had no trouble to made it straight directly for Q2.
By Saturday, conditions at Motegi had improved even further. Gonzalez finished third in FP2, making him one of the favourites for pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix. In Q2, the Spaniard set a strong lap time on his very first attempt, temporarily moving him up to second place. After his pit stop, Gonzalez fully exploited the potential of his new tires, which was rewarded with a time of 1´46.961. This put him in second place at that point, just one-tenth of a second behind eventual pole-setter and his fiercest rival in the title race, Izan Guevara. At the very last moment, Gonzalez was edged out by Filip Salac and dropped to third on the grid.
Senna Agius started with P8 and P10 on Friday, each time just half of a second off the fastest lap time, thereby securing a direct spot for Q2. On Saturday morning, the 21-year-old Australian impressed with a strong and consistent pace, which ultimately earned him sixth place in FP2.
In his time attack for a spot on the front rows, Agius was unable to set the perfect lap at the newly completely resurfaced Motegi circuit, but with the tenth starting position in the fourth row, his confidence heading into the race remains unshaken.
As usual, the race starts at 12:15 p.m. local time, however, which means 5:15 a.m. CEST.
Moto2™ Qualifying Results:
1 Izan GUEVARA / SPA / BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 / BOSCOSCURO / 1´46.851
2 Filip SALAC / CZE / OnlyFans American Racing Team / KALEX / 1´46.902 +0.051
3 #18 Manuel GONZALEZ / SPA / LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP / KALEX / 1´46.961 +0.110
…
10 #81 Senna AGUIS / AUS / LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP / KALEX / 1´47.406 +0.555
