Jack Miller fastest on day one in Qatar, three Ducati’s in the top four

It was deja vu for Jack Miller today as the Australian was fastest on the combined session times, just as he was for the test earlier this month. 

Miller completed a lap time of 1m 53.387s which is just seven thousands of a second slower than the official lap record set by Marc Marquez in 2019. 

Miller finished the first free practice session third, but with night conditions providing peak performance and a more representative race start time, the Ducati’s showed their potential with three out of the four best times. 

It was a slow start to FP2, as with eight minutes gone there was the first red flag of the season due to debris on the start finish straight. 

However, the action soon resumed with Aleix Espargaro clocking the first 1m 53 lap of the weekend which stood at the top of the leaderboard for some time. 

But as the session approached the final ten minutes, the soft tyres came out as the battle to get an all important top ten intensified. 

Bagnaia was first to lay down a considerable marker with a 1m 53.422s which would only be topped by Miller. 

Third was Monster Energy Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo who continues to look in fine form ahead of Sunday’s race. 

Johann Zarco bounced back from an early crash and thirteenth position in FP1 to claim fourth for Ducati, showing why they are a firm race favourite. 

Fifth was Alex Rins for Suzuki as he claimed a likely Q2 spot, as times are not expected to be bettered during FP3’s day session. 

Six and seventh were the Yamaha’s of Maverick Vinales and Franco Morbidelli, while Valentino Rossi was ninth, making it a consecutive session with all four Yamaha riders in the top ten. 

Eighth was Espargaro who continues to look like a potential podium finisher for the Grand Prix, and rounding out the top ten was his brother Pol Espargaro, who was considerably quicker than he was in FP1, however he suffered yet another crash late on. 

It was not the greatest start for defending champion Joan Mir, as he just missed out on the top ten in 11th place. 

Action continues tomorrow with FP3 at 15:15 local time, ahead of what will be a crucial qualifying session at 20:00.