Results from the Warm-up Session of the 2024 Thai MotoGP in Buriram

The warm-up session results for the Thai MotoGP, held in Buriram as the 18th round out of 20 in the 2024 global championship.

* Newcom

Buriram MotoGP Official Records:

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive up-to-date MotoGP stories, exclusive content, one-on-one interviews, and special offers straight from the circuit to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia clocked at 1 minute and 28.700 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time in the race: Marco Bezzecchi clocked at 1 minute 30.896 seconds (2023)

The first rain-soaked laps of the weekend occurred during the morning warm-up for the Thai MotoGP at Buriram.

Marc Marquez led the pack on the intermediate wet tires, outpacing championship frontrunner Jorge Martin and Repsol Honda's Luca Marini.

The track is gradually drying, but additional light rain and possibly intense storms are expected to occur over the course of the day.

Miguel Oliveira remains out of action due to wrist fractures sustained in Mandalika and will be substituted at Trackhouse by Aprilia's test pilot, Lorenzo Savado.

Discover More

Sign up for our MotoGP Bulletin

Receive the freshest updates, behind-the-scenes content, one-on-one interviews, and exclusive offers from the world of MotoGP straight to your email.

For additional details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Website Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Reproducing any portion or the entirety of the text, images, or illustrations in any manner is strictly prohibited.

2024 Thailand Motorcycle Grand Prix, Buriram – Practice Session Outcomes

Practice session outcomes for the Thailand Motorcycle Grand Prix held in Buriram, marking the 18th event (out of 20) in the 2024 global championship.

* Beginner

Official Motorcycle Grand Prix Records for Buriram:

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive up-to-date MotoGP updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers directly from the circuit to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia clocked at 1 minute and 28.700 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap time in the race: Marco Bezzecchi clocked in at 1 minute and 30.896 seconds (2023)

The Buriram circuit experienced its initial rain-affected laps of the weekend during the Sunday morning warm-up session for the Thai MotoGP.

Marc Marquez led the pack on the medium wet tires, surpassing the championship frontrunner Jorge Martin and Repsol Honda's own Luca Marini.

As the track begins to dry gradually, additional rain showers and possibly intense storms are expected to occur over the course of the day.

Miguel Oliveira remains out of action due to injuries to his right wrist sustained in Mandalika, with Aprilia test pilot Lorenzo Savado stepping in for him at Trackhouse.

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Bulletin

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, unique stories, conversations, and special offers straight from the race track to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Site Navigation

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Copying or reproducing text, photos, or illustrations in full or in part is strictly prohibited in any manner.

Fabio Quartararo criticized Franco Morbidelli for making a reckless move during the Thai MotoGP, which led to Quartararo crashing on the fourth lap.

The MotoGP Thai Grand Prix held this weekend started with high tension but became less dramatic as it progressed. A significant incident early in the race involved a collision between Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo, resulting in Quartararo's fall.

Quartararo got back on his Yamaha M1 and ended the race in 16th place. Meanwhile, Morbidelli later crashed at the same corner where he had collided with Quartararo, following a long lap penalty for reckless riding.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight in your email inbox.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

For Quartararo, Franco Morbidelli's maneuver at turn eight during the fourth lap felt like a "suicide attack." This incident marked the second time in two days that Quartararo's race was impacted at that particular corner, following an earlier encounter where Brad Binder forced him onto the exit kerb during the Sprint race.

Quartararo expressed frustration over turn eight, stating, "I'm not sure what happened with this corner, but twice in a row, I've been forced out of the race by two different people."

"Yesterday's action was quite forceful, but today's was more of a desperate attempt. However, that's the nature of the competition. Sadly, we were unable to manage the other participants' maneuvers."

While addressing the press following the race in Thailand, Quartararo admitted he had not witnessed the maneuver. However, he was puzzled by what seemed to him like Morbidelli's urgent attempt to overtake him.

Quartararo mentioned that he didn't notice the incident involving Morbidelli. However, he did observe that Morbidelli approached him very quickly at turn eight. Quartararo believes that Morbidelli was quite distant during the braking phase and then suddenly let go of the brake.

"Overall, I believe the decision was overly optimistic. Earlier today, he was incredibly quick. He only needed to be patient for one more straight, and he could have passed me at the third turn."

"There were still 20 laps remaining in the race, so I doubt that being three corners further back would prevent him from reaching the podium or winning. Therefore, I have nothing else to comment on regarding the incident."

Morbidelli admitted, "I was at fault." The Italian rider had a different perspective on the event, suggesting that it wasn’t a reckless move. He clarified that Quartararo had slowed down sooner than expected, and his maneuver to the inside was an attempt to steer clear of a collision.

"It was very unfortunate," Morbidelli commented. "I was making an effort to catch up, moving at a fast pace, and I was attempting to regain my initial position, pushing myself to advance as quickly as possible."

"However, I did make an error when it came to Fabio Quartararo."

"I wasn't planning to pass him, but he slowed down slightly before I did. At that moment, I thought, 'Alright, I need to make my move and hope he notices me.'"

However, he did not manage to do so. I likely got there too late, leading to us making contact. As a result, he fell, which spoiled his race and set off a chain of events that negatively impacted my own race.

"I received a long lap penalty, and while trying to make up for it, I experienced a minor slide in turn eight, causing me to crash. The corner was particularly slick today."

Morbidelli mentioned that errors were the main factor that ruined a weekend where he demonstrated good speed and promise.

He stated, "Throughout this weekend, our speed was impressive, but I made errors when it mattered most."

"During the qualifying session yesterday, we had the potential to secure a spot in the front row. However, due to a crash I experienced at turn nine, we ended up starting in 11

"Beginning from the 11th position today, I was trying to make up ground too hastily. It's unfortunate, but we'll take this as a lesson. Moving forward, we'll aim to maintain our speed while being more precise during crucial times."

Discover More

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates on MotoGP, including exclusive content, interviews, and special offers, delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Reports

Website Directory

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Marc Marquez tops the charts in a rain-soaked Thai MotoGP morning session

Marc Marquez dominates the wet warm-up session for the MotoGP race in Buriram, Thailand.

Marc Marquez was the fastest in the dry Friday practice and reclaimed his position at the forefront of the Thai MotoGP rankings during a rainy morning warm-up session in Buriram.

Even though the shower has ceased, the skies are still overcast, and weather predictions indicate more rainfall could occur throughout the day.

Sign up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates, exclusive stories, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP circuit directly to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Marquez, expressing his desire on Saturday for at least one rainy race this season, cautioned that the track was extremely slick after he topped the session, outpacing championship frontrunner Jorge Martin.

Pramac Ducati's Martin widened his lead in the points race against Francesco Bagnaia to 22 points by securing second place, just behind Enea Bastianini, in the Sprint.

Luca Marini capitalized on the rainy weather to surge forward in the rankings, securing a third-place position for Repsol Honda. He was closely trailed by Franco Morbidelli from Pramac and the KTM riders Pedro Acosta and Jack Miller.

Maverick Vinales took the top spot for Aprilia, finishing seventh, with Marco Bezzecchi and the current two-time champion, Bagnaia, trailing behind him.

Brad Binder, finishing 16th, along with Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo in 17th place, and the victor of the Sprint, Bastianini, who ended up 18th, were positioned lower in the rankings during the rainy conditions.

This morning, Augusto Fernandez of Tech3 was the sole rider to experience a fall.

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, behind-the-scenes exclusives, in-depth interviews, and special offers, all delivered straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Website Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

Reproducing text, photos, or illustrations, whether entirely or in part, is strictly prohibited in any manner.

Marc Marquez tops the charts in rainy Thai MotoGP practice session

Marc Marquez dominates the soggy morning practice session for the Thai MotoGP in Buriram.

Having been the fastest in the dry practice on Friday, Marc Marquez reclaimed his position at the forefront of the Thai MotoGP rankings during a rainy morning warm-up in Buriram.

Even though the rainfall has ceased, the skies are still overcast, and meteorological predictions indicate additional heavy showers are expected throughout the day.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive up-to-date MotoGP updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers straight from the track to your email.

Refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

Marquez, expressing his desire on Saturday night for at least one rain-affected race this year, cautioned that the track was extremely slick after he topped the session, outpacing championship frontrunner Jorge Martin.

Pramac Ducati competitor Martin widened his lead in the points tally against Francesco Bagnaia to 22 by securing a second-place finish, just after Enea Bastianini, in the Sprint.

Luca Marini capitalized on the rainy weather, securing a third-place finish for Repsol Honda, with Franco Morbidelli of Pramac and the KTM riders Pedro Acosta and Jack Miller trailing behind.

Maverick Vinales topped the Aprilia team by finishing seventh, with Marco Bezzecchi and the current two-time champion Bagnaia trailing behind.

Brad Binder, finishing 16th, alongside Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo in 17th place and the Sprint victor Bastianini in 18th, found themselves lower in the rankings during the rainy conditions.

This morning, Augusto Fernandez of Tech3 was the sole rider to experience a fall.

Discover More

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Stay updated with the newest MotoGP developments, behind-the-scenes exclusives, one-on-one interviews, and special offers delivered straight to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Updates

Site Navigation

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

The complete or partial copying of text, photos, or artwork is strictly prohibited in all formats.

Pedro Acosta described the Thai MotoGP showdown as a decisive moment, saying, "Fortunately, we managed to avoid any major mistakes." He added that the race felt like a "now-or-never" situation.

Pedro Acosta expressed that his intense competition for a podium finish with his KTM teammate Jack Miller during the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix felt like a "do or die" moment. He was satisfied that they managed to avoid any mishaps.

The newcomer from Tech3 had an accident during Saturday's sprint race while he was in the top five positions. He also had a rough beginning to the 26-lap grand prix on Sunday, which was held in wet conditions.

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the most recent updates, special content, exclusive interviews, and offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

As the race progressed, Acosta made a strong push to secure a podium spot, overtaking factory KTM racer Miller for third place during the second-to-last lap. This exciting duel spanned from Turn 3 to Turn 7.

This was Acosta's first time finishing on the podium and completing a race since the Indonesian Grand Prix.

"It was definitely a really great contest," he commented regarding his clash with Miller.

"I realized it was a fight for a podium finish, and it was a critical moment to act."

"It's always a great experience to compete against Jack. He has an aggressive style, but he stays within the rules. I found it very enjoyable."

"Fortunately, we avoided creating any chaos, otherwise we would have spent a long afternoon dealing with it in the garage."

"In any case, it's important to stay positive and look for ways to enhance our performance in the initial stages of the races."

Following his crash on Saturday, Acosta stated that he would have to reassess his racing strategy to avoid losing strong finishes when there's nothing additional to gain.

He understood this after making numerous mistakes at the start of the grand prix and believes this outcome should serve as a reminder to "keep in mind the importance of completing races."

"We should feel joyful since we finally completed a race after numerous attempts," he mentioned.

"This is positive. We should keep moving forward with the mindset that even if things aren't going our way, we can still turn the situation around."

"We should try to remain a bit more composed to gain from that experience. However, today turned out to be a positive day."

"It’s possible that I had difficulty finding my pace compared to the warm-up session, and I also veered off course during the early phase of the race at Turn 3, as well as at Turn 1."

"I thought it might be a good idea to take a step back and maintain a steady rhythm."

"Indeed, towards the conclusion of the race, something inexplicable occurred, and suddenly I picked up tremendous speed. We should feel pleased and keep in mind the importance of completing races."

Acosta lacks significant experience with MotoGP bikes in wet weather, and he frequently faced challenges in maintaining performance during rainy conditions in other grand prix categories.

When questioned about his competitiveness in Thailand, Acosta responded: "Honestly, I'm not quite sure why I wasn't consistently competitive in Moto2."

"The only time I was really quick was in last year's Australian race, where I started from the back of the grid."

"I was never particularly speedy, as I recall that in 2022 I began the race in fifth place, but by the time I reached the second corner, I had dropped to around 20th position."

"I'm not sure. Riding in Moto2 with the Dunlop tires was challenging because they felt very hard."

"The performance improved significantly after switching to Michelin tires, and it's noticeable that riders on KTM bikes excelled in these challenging conditions."

"Think back to Miguel Oliveira's performance in Thailand in 2022, Brad Binder's speed in the wet conditions at Spielberg, and the impressive pace Pol Espargaro showed at the start of the project."

Explore Further

Join Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers from the MotoGP world delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Articles

Website Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Enea Bastianini rejects notion of supporting Pecco Bagnaia's championship ambitions

Enea Bastianini exited the MotoGP title race following the Thai Grand Prix

Enea Bastianini's 14th-place result in the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix eliminates his chances of winning the title this season. Despite this, he insists he will not shift his attention to assist his Ducati factory teammate, Francesco Bagnaia.

Bastianini began the race next to Bagnaia in the second spot on the front row, but he fell back at the start and was in 13th position by the conclusion of the opening lap.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

"Frankly speaking, I'm not sure what occurred right from the beginning, as I dropped several positions. Even coming out of the first corner onto the straight, it felt like my bike had 30 horsepower less," Bastianini remarked following the Thai Grand Prix.

Nevertheless, he proceeded to clarify that, following the guidance of the Ducati Lenovo Team, he deliberately chose not to utilize the front start device on his Desmosedici GP24.

Martin and Bagnaia are separated by 17 points, keeping the championship battle very much active 🏆#MotoGP #ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/BQdWqjFpNj— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) October 27, 2024

Bastianini explained, "At the start, I didn't use the front device. The team advised me against it, suggesting that avoiding it would prevent potential spinning issues."

"In the end, the rider equipped with the front device was significantly more competitive than I was at the beginning."

Following a disappointing beginning, Bastianini made impressive progress through the pack and had reached seventh place before he fell during the ninth lap.

"Following the start, I needed to heat up the tires because the initial lap was a catastrophe," Bastianini stated.

"However, following that point, I gained confidence and my speed increased with each lap."

I was in seventh place, quite near the race leader since we were all bunched up at that point. However, as I approached turn eight, I went in slightly quicker than I did on the previous lap and ended up losing my front grip.

"I felt reasonably confident given the circumstances, but then I ended up failing."

Before his crash, Bastianini's performance in the race marked a significant improvement. He had faced difficulties during the Warm Up, which was the only other wet session of the weekend. This led him to make adjustments to his setup.

Bastianini explained that they adjusted the configuration slightly, as he was using extremely stiff springs during the Warm Up, making it challenging to maneuver the bike.

During the race, things went well overall, but the biggest issue was with the front, as it kept becoming unstable frequently.

"I occasionally face this issue in dry weather, but when it's wet, the problem becomes more erratic, making it harder for me to manage."

Bastianini's accident, which led to him finishing in 14th place, has now ensured that he cannot win the championship as he prepares to join Tech3 KTM next year.

The championship will be determined between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia. Martin currently holds the lead in points following his performance at the Thai Grand Prix, while Bagnaia, who emerged victorious in the same race, is in second place in the riders’ rankings.

"At this point, the competition for the championship is down to just two competitors, Jorge Martin and Francesco 'Pecco' Bagnaia," Bastianini stated.

"[Bagnaia] showcased an astonishing level of skill today. Additionally, I talked to him prior to the race, and he didn't seem very optimistic about it."

During the warm-up, neither he nor I were particularly quick, but by the time the race came around, we were competitive.

"He had a bit of good fortune early on, as he led the race in the initial laps, making things somewhat simpler for him. However, towards the end, he made a strong effort and secured the victory. The gap between Martin and Bagnaia is now 17 points."

In reflecting on my performance, I missed an opportunity to gain a lot of points. This was especially true since [Marc] Marquez also had an accident. Wet track conditions increase the likelihood of errors.

Bastianini clarified that both he and Marc Marquez have a riding style that increases their chances of making errors in the rainy conditions at Buriram compared to other riders.

Bastianini mentioned that he and Marc have a unique style that sets them apart from the other riders.

"We focus extensively on the front tire, and in situations like today, we found ourselves pushing it to its limits."

With Bastianini mathematically unable to clinch the title, will he now assist his teammate in the championship fight?

He expressed his desire to win in Malaysia, saying, "It's not the right time yet."

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers related to MotoGP straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Recent Updates

Additional Reports

Site Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to reproduce text, photos, or images, whether in whole or in part, in any manner.

Marc Marquez gives a candid opinion on the incident with Joan Mir in the Thailand MotoGP

There was a collision between Marc Marquez and Joan Mir during the Thailand MotoGP race.

Marc Marquez's experience at the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix unfolded in two contrasting segments, with a crash marking the division. However, the primary point of contention occurred when he collided with Joan Mir towards the race's conclusion.

On lap 14, Marquez attempted to overtake Francesco Bagnaia, who was leading the race and would ultimately win. However, Marquez fell from his second-place position. He got back on his bike in 16th place and started working his way back up to earn some points.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest MotoGP updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the racing scene straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

During the 23rd lap, Marquez overtook Joan Mir at the third turn, but the two riders collided as they approached the apex.

Marquez moved to the inside and claimed the spot, while Mir continued in the race. However, Marquez was penalized for reckless riding and was instructed to drop one position. After the race, Marquez was demoted from 11th to 12th place, but he was later restored to his original 11th position when officials confirmed he had already completed the position drop during the race.

After the incident, Marquez anticipated receiving a penalty, but he also believed that it depended on one's point of view.

Marc Marquez came very close to recovering the front end of his bike, but unfortunately, it ended in disappointment for him and his supporters in Thailand. #MotoGP #ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/NdHc5BQERl— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) October 27, 2024

Marquez confessed, "I thought I would receive a penalty."

"I haven't seen the picture, but if it's taken from the front, that's one perspective. However, if it's captured from the end, that's a different perspective."

"However, approaching from the straightaway—even before reaching the braking point—I was already alongside Joan."

Marquez clarified that the incident wasn't as straightforward as the TV footage made it seem, where it appeared he was pushing Mir aside. Instead, he believed the collision happened because Mir was attempting to hold onto his spot.

According to Marquez, the events unfolded when he dropped three spots in the previous lap and was determined not to surrender.

At one moment, he let go of the brake and entered the corner. I had no choice in the matter because I had lost the rear brake following the crash.

"At that moment, I said 'Alright, there's contact.' I was aware that the contact occurred and understood that I would be penalized."

Understanding that a penalty was inevitable and predicting accurately that he would be instructed to lose one position, Marquez continued to push forward to lessen the penalty's effect on his race.

Marquez responded by saying, "I decided to go on the offensive; I aimed to catch up to the rider ahead, pass him, allow him to get back in front, and then overtake him once more. That's exactly what I did."

Explore Further

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special features, interviews, and offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

For additional details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Recent Updates

Additional Stories

Website Index

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to copy the text, images, or drawings in whole or in part in any manner.

Thai MotoGP Rider Evaluations: A Comeback Leads to Podium Success in Buriram

Crash.net rates each rider out of 10 following the Thai MotoGP event.

Here are our evaluations of the riders following the Aragon MotoGP, highlighting one racer who impressed with a comeback performance that nearly secured a podium finish.

Francesco Bagnaia – 8

On Saturday, Francesco Bagnaia's bid for the World Championship came to an end. He couldn't keep up with Jorge Martin's pace, and after the Sprint, the defending champion appeared resigned to his fate.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

It remains uncertain if he would have emerged victorious at the Thai Grand Prix had the conditions been dry. However, when faced with the rain, Bagnaia seized the chance. Although Marc Marquez's fall worked in his favor, the crucial point is that Bagnaia managed to stay on his bike without incident.

Bagnaia secured a win with an impressive performance, marking his ninth Grand Prix triumph of the season. This achievement ensures that, even if he needs to reattach the #63 to his Desmosedici during the Valencia test, he will not head into the winter with any sense that he has already reached the height of his career.

Jorge Martin – 8.5

After Bagnaia didn't maintain his high score on Saturday afternoon, Martin faced a similar situation on Sunday. Following his second-place finish on Saturday, Martin found himself in a favorable scenario. Although it appears simpler in theory than in practice, he can now secure the championship by consistently finishing in second place for the remainder of the season, no matter the outcomes achieved by Bagnaia.

On Sunday, he accomplished precisely that. Admittedly, Marc Marquez's crash played a role, but if Marquez hadn't crashed, he likely would have won, which would have cost Bagnaia another point relative to Martin.

Martin's performance earned him an eight, mainly because he couldn't match the speed of his sole remaining rival in the 2024 MotoGP World Championship. Nevertheless, Martin had a strong weekend overall. He started with a 20-point advantage and managed to maintain most of it, losing just three points.

Pedro Acosta – 7.5

During the 2013 French Grand Prix, Marc Marquez encountered numerous errors, estimated at around 100,000, during the initial half of his debut MotoGP race under rainy conditions. However, he managed to correct his course and ultimately secured a third-place finish on the podium.

In Thailand, the situation somewhat mirrored that experience for Pedro Acosta, who veered off at turn three early in his debut MotoGP race under rainy conditions. As he attempted to regain his position, he committed several other minor errors.

His speed towards the end was remarkable. He prevented Jack Miller from securing a spot on the podium and might have even overtaken Jorge Martin if the Australian hadn't resisted so effectively.

Following a crash during the Sprint race that left him without points for the fifth consecutive event since his podium finish in Indonesia, Acosta's return to the podium on Sunday highlighted his quickness. His path to this achievement underscored his versatility and skill.

Fabio Di Giannantonio – 7.5

Di Giannantonio's performance mirrored Acosta's in many ways, but he managed to avoid any errors.

He began the race at a moderate speed, but his performance improved steadily as the competition progressed.

It is undeniably strange that the only Ducati rider who will finish the season without securing a podium finish in either a Grand Prix or a Sprint race is the same rider who has been awarded the third factory Desmosedici for the upcoming year. Despite not winning any trophies, Di Giannantonio has shown remarkable performances at various times throughout the season, and his last race of the year in Thailand was yet another example of this.

Jack Miller – 7.5

Jack Miller was on track to secure his first MotoGP podium of the 2024 season at the Thai Grand Prix. However, during the last two laps, his fortunes changed as Acosta and Di Giannantonio, both exhibiting greater speed, overtook him.

He earns a 7.5 rating like the other two, as it signifies progress from his previous performances. Sure, the circumstances on Sunday were ones he typically excels in, but he still had to perform on the bike, which he did admirably. A heavy rain and a red flag around three-and-a-half laps before the finish would have been beneficial for him, though.

Brad Binder – 6.5

Among the trio of KTM riders anticipated to secure top-10 finishes (excluding Augusto Fernandez, as expectations for his top-10 presence in a MotoGP race have diminished), Brad Binder had the least favorable result in Thailand. He didn't perform poorly; however, his fellow KTM riders surpassed him on that occasion.

Maverick Vinales faced challenges with grip in dry conditions, though these problems were less noticeable when it was wet. Despite this, finishing seventh in the Thai Grand Prix does little to compensate for his 20th-place result in the previous day's Sprint.

Johann Zarco – 8

Securing a place in the top 10 with a Honda in any MotoGP race during 2024 is no small feat. Therefore, Johann Zarco’s eighth-place finish at the Thai Grand Prix stands out as one of the season's most overlooked performances, largely because Zarco isn't competing for the championship title. Nonetheless, his achievement was impressive, especially as it followed his direct qualification to Q2 in Friday's sessions.

Aleix Espargaro experienced a challenging Saturday in Thailand, largely due to the excessive heat from his Aprilia RS-GP, a recurring issue. In wet conditions, he struggled to match the speed of his teammate, Vinales. Ending up 10 seconds behind a teammate usually indicates a tough day, and his podium finish in the Austrian Sprint is now a distant memory.

Alex Marquez – Rating: 6.5

Alex Marquez had a challenging time at the Thailand Grand Prix. He experienced a fall during the sighting lap and eventually finished in a disappointing 10th place. He managed to finish just 1.1 seconds in front of his brother and teammate, Marc Marquez, who had also crashed but rejoined the race. However, Alex performed reasonably well in the Sprint, securing fifth place and finishing ahead of Franco Morbidelli, who was riding a GP24 Desmosedici, while Alex was on the older GP23 model.

Marc Marquez – 6.5

There appears to be a trend of 6.5 ratings on this list, as many racers experienced weekends with highs that were offset by lows.

A prime example is Marc Marquez's performance at the Grand Prix. Initially, he was in contention for the win during the first half of the race. Even after crashing while in second place, he impressively made his way back through the pack in the remaining laps.

There is no question that Marquez would have defeated Bagnaia if he hadn't fallen. Nonetheless, he did fall, and his performance was somewhat disappointing, especially considering his own very high standards. During the Sprint, he managed to secure fourth place but could not match the speed of the GP24 riders who ended up on the podium.

A qualifying crash has concluded what has been a rather inconsistent weekend for the rider. Just a week ago, everyone thought he would dominate the 2025 season, making it unexciting.

Although he might still do it, this weekend he graciously reminded us that he isn't perfect.

Luca Marini – Score: 6.5

Luca Marini appears to struggle with utilizing the hard-construction rear tire provided by Michelin for races in Thailand, Indonesia, and Austria. On Saturday, he only managed to outpace Maverick Viñales, who was grappling with grip issues, and Lorenzo Savadori, who was filling in for Miguel Oliveira. Marini expressed frustration over his inability to enhance the bike's performance.

However, come Sunday, the rain had washed away the more challenging track, bringing him back to his usual position, surrounded by the Hondas and leading his teammate, Joan Mir.

While not remarkable, it's adequate — and it's likely more advantageous to face challenges with the tire used just three times annually instead of the one employed in the remaining 17 races.

Takaaki Nakagami – 6

Takaaki Nakagami remained largely unnoticed throughout the weekend. It seems like he's just biding his time until the season concludes, which is understandable considering his current equipment doesn't allow him to compete for significant positions.

Finishing in 13th place and earning three points is considered quite satisfactory for someone riding the RC213V in the 2024 season.

Enea Bastianini – 7

It's quite strange that Enea Bastianini has been performing significantly better in Sprint races compared to Grands Prix, yet this is indeed the case.

In recent MotoGP events, a rider known for his exceptional tire management has secured podium finishes in the last three Sprint races, notably clinching a victory in Thailand this weekend. However, he has also experienced crashes in two of the previous three Grand Prix races.

During the race in Thailand, Bastianini's accident stemmed from a disappointing beginning. Although he began in second place, he dropped to 13th by the conclusion of the initial lap. His Ducati Lenovo Team advised him against employing the front start mechanism to prevent wheelspin, but this led to lower power in the first segment of the lap.

The outcome was an effort to regain positions. However, he experienced a fall at the eighth turn, leading to a further decline in his chances of winning the title, which have now completely vanished.

Although it wasn't one of Bastianini's top weekends, his second-place finish in qualifying and victory in the Sprint race indicate it wasn't his worst either.

Joan Mir – 7

We might be showing some bias due to sympathy for Joan Mir, but overall, he was performing well over the weekend in Thailand. However, as both races neared their end, things didn't go his way.

The Sprint race took a turn for the worse during the final laps as Mir lost traction. A similar situation unfolded during the Grand Prix. This time, however, he found himself sliding towards Marc Marquez, who had rejoined the race and quickly nudged Mir aside at the third turn.

Mir didn't achieve the desired outcomes, but he demonstrated respectable speed and maintained a positive outlook on Saturday. Given the current circumstances, this optimism seems to be the best he can hope for.

Fabio Quartararo – 8

It might seem crazy to give a MotoGP World Champion an eight when he didn't earn any points over the weekend. Yet, that's the situation we're in.

Fabio Quartararo likely had the speed to break Ducati's hold on the top eight in the Sprint race. However, he was pushed down to 15th place after a first-lap maneuver by Brad Binder, which resulted in him finishing in 10th place.

At that very corner, Franco Morbidelli forced him out of the race during the Grand Prix.

Following the race, Quartararo believed he could have secured a top-seven finish in the Grand Prix. However, similar to his experience in 2022, he was unfortunate with the rainy conditions in Thailand.

Similar to Mir, but even more so, Quartararo showed promise in Buriram, although he didn't achieve the desired outcome.

Augusto Fernandez – 5

Rating the performance of a rider who hasn't appeared on TV from Friday through Sunday is challenging. Yet, a 16th place followed by a Did Not Finish (DNF) for Augusto Fernandez sums up his overall lackluster season.

Alex Rins – 5

For an explanation of Alex Rins' score, refer to the section about Augusto Fernandez just above. With a 17th place finish followed by a Did Not Finish (DNF), the main distinction between Rins' and Fernandez's weekends was the color and brand of their bikes: Rins was on a black Yamaha while Fernandez was on a red KTM.

Lorenzo Savadori – 5

Much like Fernandez and Rins, Savadori went largely unnoticed throughout the weekend, except for his crash. In the end, his role is primarily to occupy a spot rather than achieve impressive results. Given his 21-DNF record, a score of five seems fitting under any conditions.

Franco Morbidelli – 4

Franco Morbidelli experienced a weekend similar to those of Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo. However, unlike them, the primary factor holding him back from reaching the outcomes his talent hinted at was none other than Franco Morbidelli himself.

During the qualifying session, he had an accident, which resulted in him beginning the race from the 11th position. In the Sprint, he was overtaken by two GP23 bikes belonging to the Gresini team riders. On race day, he initially displayed impressive speed but ended up colliding with Fabio Quartararo, received a long lap penalty, and ultimately crashed, ending his race.

Morbidelli explained that the collision with Quartararo occurred because the Yamaha rider reduced speed sooner than anticipated. To prevent hitting him, Morbidelli had to steer his bike to the inside. For someone not involved in racing, this approach—directing your bike towards the path of the one you want to dodge—appears to be an ineffective strategy for avoiding a crash.

Raul Fernandez – 5.5

Raul Fernandez became a favorite among nearly all motorcycle racing enthusiasts in Australia by securing a 10th-place finish without the use of aerodynamic wings. However, he quickly lost their attention in Thailand, where he finished 14th in the Sprint race and crashed during the Grand Prix.

Marco Bezzecchi – 6.5

Marco Bezzecchi was the first racer to withdraw from the Thai Grand Prix. The silver lining for him is that he only has two more race weekends with the Desmosedici GP23 before he can switch to his new motorcycle in Valencia next month.

The downside is that the motorcycle he’s about to ride is the Aprilia RS-GP. Although Bezzecchi’s sixth-place finish in the Sprint race in Thailand was average, it wasn’t terrible. In contrast, Vinales’ performance, landing him in 20th place, was much closer to being described as awful.

Explore Further

Join Our MotoGP Mailing List

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers from the MotoGP world straight to your email.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

Recent Updates

Additional Stories

Website Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or illustrations in any format.

Jorge Martin Discusses Track Limits in Thai MotoGP Sprint: ‘I Played My Cards Right’

Pramac Racer Widens Championship Advantage in Thai Sprint

Jorge Martin revealed that he was concerned about adhering to track limits during the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix sprint. However, he strategically maneuvered to avoid receiving any penalties.

The Pramac rider had to make a comeback from fifth place on the first lap after veering off course at Turn 1 while attempting to overtake Francesco Bagnaia, who started third on the grid.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest MotoGP updates, unique content, interviews, and special offers from the paddock straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Martin rapidly regained his position among the front-runners, securing second place by executing a bold maneuver on Bagnaia at Turn 7 during the seventh lap.

He ended up on the green run-off section and received a warning for exceeding track limits, repeating this infraction two laps afterward.

Bagnaia mentioned that he expected to receive a penalty because he believed he had exceeded track limits four times. However, Martin was formally recorded as having only crossed the limits twice, which is one infraction short of warranting a penalty.

When questioned about his concerns regarding track limits, Martin responded, "Definitely."

The speaker explains that they push their limits in corner seven by attempting a quick entry and accelerating early, which puts them at the edge of control on the exit.

"I utilized my cards. You are allowed to proceed on the green once, so I took advantage of that opportunity."

"Starting from there, I aimed to maintain a small buffer, though not too large, as I was aware that Pecco was particularly strong in that section of the track. Nonetheless, I needed to leave some room for error."

By surpassing Bagnaia and securing a second-place position in the sprint race, Martin has increased his lead in the overall standings to 22 points.

This implies that he could secure a second-place finish in every remaining race and still emerge as the champion.

"We'll find out over the next few races," he replied when questioned about his opinion on the matter.

"Absolutely, if you were to inquire whether I would agree to this, I would. My goal is to become a world champion."

"I'm not sure, but let's wait and see. Tomorrow, I might not be able to finish second. I'll give it my all, as Pecco is going to be very strong."

"I'll strive to be smart. My competition is definitely with him. If I manage to win, I'll seize the opportunity."

"My challenge lies elsewhere. It's going to be extremely tough. Pecco typically gets better on Sundays, so I'll have to step up my game as well."

Martin explained that veering off course at the first corner during the initial lap was his sole option, as failing to do so would have resulted in a collision with Bagnaia.

"It was quite challenging," he commented regarding his race.

"The initial turn presented a challenge. I felt my options were either to ease off the brakes and veer off course, which would mean losing several spots, or to collide with Pecco. I chose to go off course. It was definitely tough following that decision."

"I found myself in either sixth or seventh place as I approached the third corner. From there, things got challenging. The group was incredibly hot."

"Usually, I'm positioned further ahead, so I'm not accustomed to this level of heat. It was incredibly challenging, and I believe the temperature at the front rose significantly."

"In any case, I felt I was performing strongly and staying competitive. This is crucial, as I managed to pass Pedro Acosta, Marc Marquez, and Pecco again."

"I'm feeling good, and tomorrow's race is going to be quite challenging. I need to stay very concentrated."

Martin remains uncertain about which tires to select for the 26-lap grand prix, although the hard tires are expected to be the preferred choice, similar to last year.

On Friday, he put in a lot of effort on that task, but he was not satisfied with the performance of the used hard tires. Nonetheless, he mentioned that he will follow the same decision as Pecco, no matter the circumstances.

Explore Further

Join our MotoGP Mailing List

Receive the newest updates, special content, interviews, and offers from the MotoGP scene delivered straight to your email.

To learn more, please review our Privacy Policy.

Breaking Updates

Additional Reports

Website Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Marc Marquez: 'Bagnaia Must Take Chances and Outperform Martin Tomorrow'

Marc Marquez talks about the MotoGP championship fight involving Martin and Bagnaia, as well as his own race for third place with Bastianini.

Jorge Martin managed to increase his lead over MotoGP championship competitor Francesco Bagnaia by just two points during the Sprint race in Buriram on Saturday.

However, Marc Marquez, the rider with the most experience in winning top-tier championships—having secured six titles—cautioned that it is essential for his upcoming factory Ducati teammate to surpass Martin in the race this Sunday.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, special reports, interviews, and offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

Marquez, who secured fourth place in the Sprint, anticipated an exciting showdown tomorrow between Bagnaia and Martin, noting that both are performing at high speeds.

"Bagnaia must take chances, as he needs to place ahead of Martin tomorrow to maintain any possibility of competing in Valencia."

Martin currently holds a 22-point lead, allowing him the possibility of securing the championship by finishing second to Bagnaia in the last five races.

Following an unexpected achievement by securing pole position, reigning two-time champion Bagnaia was overtaken at the start when the Pramac rider made an assertive move on the inside at the first corner, causing Martin to fall.

Martin's maneuver pushed both racers to the outer edge of the track, allowing Enea Bastianini, Bagnaia's teammate, to take the lead and maintain it until the finish line. Meanwhile, Martin managed to regain his pace, overtaking Bagnaia halfway through the race to secure second place.

Would Marc Marquez prefer securing third place in the championship or achieving another race victory? Bastianini's recent triumph brought him just eight points away from reclaiming third position in the world championship standings from Marquez.

The Gresini racer ended up 5.4 seconds behind Bastianini and is uncertain about his prospects against the GP24 competitor in the full grand prix event on Sunday.

Marquez mentioned that he has a personal battle for third place in the rankings with Bastianini. He noted that when Bastianini performs exceptionally well, he tends to have a bit more difficulty, and the reverse is also true. "We'll see how it goes," he added.

However, if Marquez were faced with choosing between finishing third in the world championship or securing another MotoGP victory, his preference is unmistakable: "A race win."

Marquez has only three opportunities left to secure a fourth grand prix win with Gresini, and these chances arise in Buriram, Sepang, or Valencia.

Marquez concurred that the final race of the Spanish season could present the greatest opportunity, provided that adverse weather conditions do not disrupt the standings.

"[Buriram] is a great track, and the weekend has been going well. However, Malaysia is one of the toughest tracks for me. You can never predict… We should at least have a race in wet conditions, right?" Marquez remarked.

According to some predictions, there is a possibility of rain in Thailand tomorrow.

Marquez chuckled and said, "I'd rather have the rain in Malaysia! Hopefully, we get at least one race in wet conditions."

"Setting humor aside, Valencia might present another chance for a win… Naturally, we will give it a shot, although it won't be easy."

Explore Further

Sign Up for Our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock sent straight to your email.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for additional details.

Current Updates

Additional Articles

Website Map

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or drawings in any manner.

Rainy conditions kick off Sunday at the 2024 Thai MotoGP, bringing an unexpected element to the championship battle in Buriram.

Following a dry spell on Friday and Saturday, rain made its appearance at Buriram on Sunday morning during the Thai MotoGP.

As of 8 a.m., the rain had stopped, but the track remained drenched under thick cloud cover, with weather radars forecasting additional rain later in the day.

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and special offers from the MotoGP paddock straight to your email.

To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy

The morning warm-up session for the MotoGP class, scheduled to begin at 10:40 am and lasting ten minutes, will be vital for determining an effective set-up for wet conditions.

Marc Marquez expressed his thoughts after securing fourth place in the Sprint, saying, "Shouldn't we have at least one race in the rain this season?" However, he added, "I'd rather it rain in Malaysia!"

Enea Bastianini clinched victory in the dry Sprint race, finishing ahead of championship frontrunner Jorge Martin, who currently maintains a 22-point lead over Francesco Bagnaia.

The Thai Grand Prix, which consists of 26 laps, is set to start at 3 p.m. local time.

Check out this Instagram post by Peter McLaren (@mclarenmotogp)

Discover More

Sign up for our MotoGP Newsletter

Receive the newest updates, exclusive content, interviews, and paddock promotions straight to your email.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy

Breaking Updates

Additional Stories

Site Navigation

Crash.Net

©1999-2024 Crash Media Group

It is prohibited to fully or partially copy text, images, or drawings in any format.