MotoGP Qatar FP1: Márquez fastest, Martin fifth after wrist injury

Marc Márquez (Ducati) has set the tone for the Qatar MotoGP: he topped the first free practice session at Lusail with a 1:52.278, ahead of Marco Bezzecchi's Aprilia. Jorge Martin, back after his wrist fracture, finished fifth.

FP1 times

Eighteen riders took to the track in cooler conditions than usual, as the race has moved to November. Márquez was 0.110s clear of Bezzecchi. Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) was third, 0.413s back, and Pedro Acosta (KTM) fourth, 0.677s back, despite a late technical problem that stopped him doing practice starts. Only these four riders got into the 1:52s.

• 1. Marc Márquez (Ducati): 1:52.278
• 2. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia): +0.110s
• 3. Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati): +0.413s
• 4. Pedro Acosta (KTM): +0.677s
• 5. Jorge Martin (Aprilia): +0.734s
• 6. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati): +0.793s

Raul Fernandez (Aprilia) was seventh, Luca Marini (Honda) eighth, Franco Morbidelli (Ducati) ninth and Johann Zarco (Honda) tenth. Most riders used the medium rear tyre, which the frontrunners used in both of last year's races, paired with the medium front expected for the Grand Prix.

Martin: an encouraging but cautious return

Cleared to ride on Friday morning, Jorge Martin completed 15 laps and strung five together in his second run, against two consecutive flying laps at Sepang. Aprilia boss Paolo Bonora says his physical condition is better than in Malaysia, especially in changes of direction, but he still struggles under heavy braking. Aprilia is asking for patience and no unnecessary risks, while wanting to keep the championship open for as long as the numbers allow.

What is at stake in the title fight

Márquez arrives at Lusail 44 points ahead of Martin, 67 ahead of Bezzecchi and 104 ahead of Acosta, with 111 points still available. To be crowned on Sunday he must outscore Martin by 30 points and extend his lead over Bezzecchi by 8 points (7 if he wins the Grand Prix). If he wins the sprint and the race, he is champion if Martin scores 7 points at most, whatever Bezzecchi does.

Crashes and stand-ins

Jake Dixon, who replaces Joan Mir at Honda HRC, had an eventful return: a big tank slapper, then a fall a few corners later. He finished last. Brad Binder (KTM) also crashed but ended thirteenth. Raul Fernandez, who missed Malaysia with a finger injury, is back on track. A second practice session follows on Friday evening under floodlights.

Key takeaways

• Márquez, on 1:52.278, is 0.110s clear of Bezzecchi.
• Martin is fifth, 0.734s off, after 15 laps.
• Márquez leads by 44 points and can be crowned this weekend.

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