MotoGP Bharat GP: Luka Marini Tops Second Practice Session at BIC; Marquez, Mir Enter Q2

As Honda’s Marc Marquez and Joan Mir both crack the top ten for direct Qualifying 2 at the inaugural Indian MotoGP, Luca Marini tops Practice 2 at Buddh International Circuit which was delayed by 45 minutes due to logistical difficulties. Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo will also be appearing in Q2 for the first time since the Austrian GP weekend, despite having a rough FP1. The second practice began with KTM's Jack Miller crashing at Turn 12 in the opening moments, demonstrating that the new Buddh layout was still proving difficult for riders. The Australian was unable to keep up with the pack and finished the day in 18th place. First practice session leader Marco Bezzecchi, riding the second VR46 Ducati, set the pace with a lap of 1 minute, 46.674 seconds. Ten minutes into the session, Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro jumped to the top with a lap of 1 minute, 46.387 seconds.

Also Read: MotoGP Bharat GP: Watch Honda’s Marc Marquez and Suresh Raina go for a Joyride in a Royal Enfield at BIC

MotoGP Bharat GP: Second Practice Result

Third place went to Aleix Espargaro, just 0.043 seconds behind Martin, and fourth to Marc Marquez, who finished ahead of Bezzecchi. Maverick Vinales, who was briefly in the lead during the second practice session, finished in sixth place on the second factory Aprilia, one place ahead of world champion Francesco Bagnaia and his factory Ducati. Quartararo maintained eighth place, ahead of Honda's Mir and Pramac's Johann Zarco. Brad Binder of KTM moved up to fourth place with his final effort. However, Binder's lap was called off due to a third-sector yellow flag after LCR Honda's Takaaki Nakagami crashed at Turn 8. 

The rewards continue

P1 - @Luca_Marini_97
P5 - @Marco12_B #MooneyVR46RacingTeam #LM10 #MB72 #VR46 #MotoGP #IndianGP pic.twitter.com/fMUbyxpYqA

— Mooney VR46 Racing Team (@VR46RacingTeam) September 22, 2023

Also Read: Bharat GP: Buddh International Circuit Gets Thumbs Up from MotoGP Riders

MotoGP Bharat GP: Changers Made to Buddh International Circuit

There were many changes made to the BIC for the first MotoGP in India, including the addition of 1800 metres of extra safety barriers (including air fences and foam barriers) and a longer gravel area to reduce the likelihood of collisions. Turns 1, 3, and 5 now have additional gravel traps for bikers' safety, and barriers at Turn 12 have been pushed back quite a distance. Fairstreet Sports has paid extra attention to the sloping areas. There has been no major change to the layout of the track.

The track has one of the longest straights in MotoGP's 2023 Calender at 1,006 metres in length, and it features thirteen turns (eight right and five left) and a total length of 4.96km. Turn 3 leads into a stretch with two hills, one going up and one going down. The MotoGP race has been scheduled for 24 laps. 

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