Muñoz and Pini start ambitiously from positions 7 and 21
The LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Moto3 duo have experienced a mix of highs and lows so far at the Italian Grand Prix on the Mugello Circuit. David Munoz and Guido Pini will give their all from grid positions seven and 21 to live up to their high expectations - especially the young Italian Pini, who wants to give his home crowd every reason to celebrate.
For David Muñoz, it was clear after his impressive Moto3 debut victory in Aragon that he wanted to be right up there at the front again in Mugello. As soon as the lights went out for the first free practice session on the 5.25-kilometer long Tuscan circuit, the Spaniard made a strong start to the weekend with a third place. In qualifying, however, a mistake in turn 13 prevented a better position, meaning Muñoz had to start in Q1 after finishing in sixteenth place. There, the 19-year-old impressed as second fastest on the hot Saturday afternoon and thus secured the chance to fight for pole in Q2. After another exciting 15 minutes, the current world championship tenth finished in seventh place and will start the ninth race of the season from the third row of the grid.
Guido Pini started his home Grand Prix with great enthusiasm: the Moto3 rookie delivered a strong fourth place in the first practice session. However, the legendary Mugello Circuit did not make it easy for the local hero. A high-speed crash in the decisive qualifying session set him back in the qualifying rankings. Fortunately, the 17-year-old was uninjured, but had to line up in Q1 on Saturday. In the session, which only lasted 15 minutes, he only had just under four minutes left after his best time got cancelled whole leading - due to crossing over the track limits. Despite a fast lap, his time of 1'56.916 was ultimately only good enough for seventh place in Q1, which prevented him from advancing to Q2. Pini will therefore start the race from seventh on the grid in 21st position. The young Italian remains confident that he can fight his way into the points in the 17-lap heat battle starting at 11:00 on Sunday.
Results
FP1
1. Jose Antonio RUEDA/ SPA/ KTM – 1'55.924
2. Scott OGDEN/ GBR/ KTM – 1'56.648 (+0.724)
3. David MUÑOZ/ SPA/ KTM – 1'56.718 (+0.794)
4. Guido PINI/ ITA/ KTM – 1'56.732 (+0.808)
PR
1. David ALMANSA/ SPA/ HONDA – 1'55.535
2. Taiyo FURUSATO/ JPN/ HONDA – 1'55.567 (+0.032)
3. Ryusei YAMANAKA/ JPN/ KTM – 1'55.722 (+0.187)
16. David MUÑOZ/ SPA/ KTM – 1'56.306 (+0.771)
25. Guido PINI/ ITA/ KTM – 1'57.825 (+2.290)
FP2
1. Scott OGDEN/ GBR/ KTM – 1'55.249
2. David ALMANSA/ SPA/ HONDA – 1'55.291 (+0.042)
3. Angel PIQUERAS/ SPA/ KTM – 1'55.557 (+0.308)
5. David MUÑOZ/ SPA/ KTM – 1'55.606 (+0.357)
9. Guido PINI/ ITA/ KTM – 1'55.803 (+0.554)
Q1
1. Maximo QUILES/ SPA/ KTM – 1'56.078
2. David MUÑOZ/ SPA/ KTM – 1'56.142 (+0.064)
3. Vicente PEREZ/ SPA/ HONDA – 1'56.236 (+0.158)
7. Guido PINI/ ITA/ KTM – 1'56.916 (+0.838)
Q2
1. Alvaro CARPE/ SPA/ KTM – 1'54.733
2. Jose Antonio RUEDA/ SPA/ KTM – 1'54.970 (+0.237)
3. Scott OGDEN/ GBR/ KTM – 1'55.032 (+0.299)
7. David MUÑOZ/ SPA/ KTM – 1'55.591 (+0.858)
