After a first free practice session disrupted by a wet track, qualifying practice for the Portuguese Grand Prix was very lively on the Algarve circuit in Portimao. Ultimately, it was the Italian Enea Bastianini (Ducati) who set the best time in 1’38”057. He was ahead of Jack Miller (KTM, +0”118) and Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati, +0”153). But the Spaniard had to watch the very end of the session from his garage as he crashed at turn 5 with less than two minutes on the clock. Without consequence since he had ensured sufficient time beforehand.
On the other hand, double world champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) had to wait until the very last minute to validate his ticket in the top 10, offering a direct place in Q2 on Saturday during qualifying. He finally took 8th place (+0”484). Good surprise after a disappointing start in Qatar, Fabio Quartararo’s Yamaha seems a little more comfortable in Portugal. The Frenchman took 9th place (+0”495) just ahead of his teammate Alex Rins (10th, +0”503). No miracle, however, for Johann Zarco only 20th (+1”090) with his LCR Honda.
Besides Marquez, no less than four other drivers fell in the last quarter of an hour of these qualifying practices. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) were the first to land at the same time but in different places on the circuit. A little later, it was the turn of Luca Marini (Honda) and Franco Morbidelli (Pramac Ducati) to make a mistake. All four will have to go through Q1 on Saturday to have a chance of starting on one of the first three rows during the sprint and then the Grand Prix.
