Moto GP test - Portimao

[wull]

2023 Portimao MotoGP Test results - Day 1 lap times (Saturday)




Lap times as of 12:30pm during Saturday’s opening day of the final 2023 MotoGP pre-season test, at Portimao.

The 2023 MotoGP grid has its last chance for pre-season preparations with a two-day official test at Portimao this weekend, the same circuit where the season-opener will take place on March 24-25.


VR46 Ducati’s Luca Marini has set the fastest lap time at both previous winter outings, at Valencia in November and then a three-day test at Sepang in February.

While Marini is using a year-old Ducati, Portimao will be the last chance for factory teams to pick the aerodynamic and, most importantly, engine with which they will start the 2023 racing season.

Once chosen, the engine design cannot be changed until the end of the world championship, while aero can be updated just once.

Testing takes place at Portimao from 9:30-17:30 on Saturday and Sunday, followed by practice starts…


12:30: Reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia has now taken the best lap time down from 1m 40s to 1m 36.6s, but with home star Miguel Oliveira in hot pursuit! Jorge Martin and Luca Marini follow, but with Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo briefly rising to third before being pushed down to fifth.

Alex Rins has made big progress to move into sixth and top Honda, with Johann Zarco down to eighth after a fall. Top KTM rider Brad Binder has improved to 13th, with Bagnaia's team-mate Enea Bastianini climbing from 21st to 15th. Marc Marquez has slipped back to 17th for Repsol Honda.

Jack Miller and Takaaki Nakagami are proping up the timesheets, either side of Ducati test rider Michele Pirro...


2023 OFFICIAL PORTIMAO MOTOGP TEST - DAY 1 (12:30PM)
RIDER NAT TEAM TIME LAP SPEED
1 = Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) 1m 39.61s 33/40 334.3
2 ^2 Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +0.033s 38/39 335.4
3 ^2 Miguel Oliveira POR RNF Aprilia (RS-GP 22) +0.162s 31/32 337.5
4 ˅1 Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.247s 28/34 332.3
5 ^1 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +0.361s 36/39 333.3
6 ^6 Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.466s 37/38 333.3
7 ^4 Alex Rins SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +0.684s 33/35 330.2
8 ˅6 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP22) +0.768s 21/27 335.4
9 ^9 Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.768s 19/19 334.3
10 ˅1 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.769s 29/30 336.4
11 ˅3 Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.821s 19/26 332.3
12 ˅2 Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.878s 32/36 331.2
13 ^1 Fabio Di Giannantonio ITA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.917s 29/30 332.3
14 ^2 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.111s 23/26 333.3
15 = Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +1.133s 44/45 330.2
16 ^5 Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +1.135s 17/18 334.3
17 ˅10 Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +1.163s 18/24 338.5
18 ˅5 Joan Mir SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +1.378s 23/24 328.2
19 ˅2 Stefan Bradl GER Honda Test Rider (RC213V) +1.483s 31/33 329.2
20 ˅1 Pol Espargaro SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16) +1.546s 23/24 333.3
21 ^1 Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +1.739s 22/29 330.2
22 ˅2 Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.836s 19/28 331.2
23 ^1 Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (GP) +1.908s 28/30 331.2
24 ˅1 Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Hond

[Skub]

Rins the top Honda. I wonder how significant that is. Mir doesn't seem to have clicked with his new bike just yet.

I also wonder how many more opportunities Nakagami and Morbidelli are going to enjoy.

Anyway,another season of Yamaha trying to figure out what way the Ducatis went?

[wull]

2:30pm: World champion Francesco Bagnaia, winter test leader Luca Marini continue to head the timesheets, ahead of Fabio di Giannantonio and Jorge Martin.

As at Sepang, Ducati and Aprilia currently dominate the top ten with Maverick Vinales the fastest RS-GP in fifth and team-mate Aleix Espargaro now in ninth.

Fabio Quartararo's M1 remains the lead Japanese bike, in tenth, just ahead of Bagnaia's team-mate Enea Bastianini.

Former Suzuki team-mates Alex Rins and Joan Mir are the quickest Hondas in 12th and 14th, either side of Raul Fernandez, followed by Marc Marquez.

The KTMs remain towards the tail of the timesheets, with Brad Binder the quickest RC16 in 18th but within one-second of Marini!


2023 OFFICIAL PORTIMAO MOTOGP TEST - DAY 1 (2:30PM)
RIDER NAT TEAM TIME
1 = Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) 1m 39.548s
2 = Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +0.062s
3 = Fabio Di Giannantonio ITA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.093s
4 = Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +0.095s
5 = Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.145s
6 = Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.162s
7 = Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.206s
8 = Miguel Oliveira POR RNF Aprilia (RS-GP 22) +0.224s
9 ^9 Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.198s
10 ˅1 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +0.423s
11 ˅1 Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +0.461s
12 ˅1 Alex Rins SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +0.475s
13 ^3 Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.537s
14 ˅2 Joan Mir SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.603s
15 ˅2 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.622s
16 ^4 Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (GP) +0.788s
17 ˅3 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP22) +0.830s
18 ˅3 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +0.918s
19 ˅2 Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +0.940s
20 ˅1 Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.195s
21 = Stefan Bradl GER Honda Test Rider (RC213V) +1.271s
22 = Pol Espargaro SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16) +1.422s
23 = Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +1.426s
24 = Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.481s

[Skub]

Maverick doing well at the test championship again.

[wull]

3:30pm: Luca Marini continues to lead an all-Ducati top four covered by just 0.095s, followed by the Aprilia of Maverick Vinales.



Johann Zarco has bounced back up the order after an earlier fall, while Marc Marquez has just tumbled from his Repsol Honda at Turn 14.

The top 18 riders are covered by less than one-second.


2023 OFFICIAL PORTIMAO MOTOGP TEST - DAY 1 (3:30PM)
RIDER NAT TEAM TIME
1 = Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) 1m 39.548s
2 = Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +0.062s
3 = Fabio Di Giannantonio ITA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.093s
4 = Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +0.095s
5 = Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.145s
6 = Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.162s
7 = Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.206s
8 = Miguel Oliveira POR RNF Aprilia (RS-GP 22) +0.224s
9 ^8 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP22) +0.388s
10 ˅1 Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.198s
11 ˅1 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +0.423s
12 ˅1 Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +0.461s
13 ˅1 Alex Rins SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +0.475s
14 ˅1 Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.537s
15 ˅1 Joan Mir SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.603s
16 ˅1 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.622s
17 ˅1 Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (GP) +0.788s
18 = Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +0.918s
19 = Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +1.058s
20 = Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.271s
21 = Stefan Bradl GER Honda Test Rider (RC213V) +1.426s
22 = Pol Espargaro SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16) +1.481s
23 = Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +1.686s
24 = Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.837s

[wull]

[G.P]

Times starting to bunch up. Miller 20th at 1.2secs. The top twenty all within 1 sec. I think there;s going to be plenty of movement yet to come..

[mangocrazy]

Capture.JPG (177.18 KiB) Viewed 696 times

[mangocrazy]

Italian bikes taking 9 out of the top 10 places. And Alex Rins fastest Honda, with MM down in 19th place. How the world has changed...

[wull]

[wull]

Easier to read


2023 OFFICIAL PORTIMAO MOTOGP TEST - DAY 1 (FINAL)


RIDER NAT TEAM TIME LAP SPEED


1 ^3 Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) 1m 38.771s 77/78 334.3


2 ˅1 Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.234s 58/65 340.6


3 ˅1 Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.254s 71/88 334.3


4 ˅1 Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.565s 56/65 337.5


5 ^9 Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.689s 62/64 335.4


6 ˅1 Miguel Oliveira POR RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.695s 59/75 337.5


7 ˅1 Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.837s 62/76 337.5


8 ^4 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +0.843s 88/90 333.3


9 ˅2 Fabio Di Giannantonio ITA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +0.870s 32/50 334.3


10 ˅2 Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +0.872s 38/63 335.4


11 ˅2 Alex Rins SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +0.875s 66/77 332.3


12 ˅2 Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.877s 59/60 338.5


13 ˅2 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP22) +0.945s 44/57 335.4


14 ^1 Joan Mir SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +1.005s 74/74 329.2


15 ^5 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.152s 58/69 335.4


16 ^5 Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.216s 57/58 331.2


17 ˅4 Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +1.238s 27/52 336.4


18 ˅2 Stefan Bradl GER Honda Test Rider (RC213V) +1.391s 58/72 331.2


19 ˅2 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +1.399s 35/78 336.4


20 ˅2 Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (GP23) +1.565s 45/70 333.3


21 ˅2 Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +1.643s 75/95 330.2


22 = Pol Espargaro SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16) +1.736s 58/64 333.3


23 ^1 Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.871s 68/74 328.2


24 ˅1 Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +2.000s 63/72 3

[Skub]

Rossi's little bro showing signs of being more of a threat this year.

I'm surprised to see Martin down in 10th and 0.8 off,if anyone can put in a lap it's him.

[wull]

Lap times during Sunday’s final day of 2023 MotoGP pre-season testing, in Portimao.




New Gresini Ducati rider Alex Marquez leads the timesheets as of 11:30am on the final day of 2023 MotoGP pre-season at Portimao, while brother Marc has suffered further problems in the form of a technical issue with his Repsol Honda at Turn 5.


Aleix Espargaro and Raul Fernandez complete the top three as Ducati and Aprilia riders fill the top ten.

Reigning world champion and day one leader Francesco Bagnaia was first out on track this morning. The Ducati star said his testing work was already 90% finished after day one and plans to spend the final day rehearsing for the new race weekend format of a short free practice then qualifying on Saturday morning, followed by the new Sprint race in the afternoon. Bagnaia may also try a full race simulation today.

While Ducati and Aprilia riders once again dominated the top ten on day one, the likes of Marc Marquez (Honda) and Quartararo (Yamaha) still have issues to solve with their 2023 machines. But time is running out to evaluate more new parts or radical ideas and they will need to start working on a set-up for the GP weekend at some point today.


Likewise, the KTM/GASGAS riders, while appearing to have settled on their 2023 chassis and engine configuration (with aero still TBC), need to find a better set-up having all been outside the top 14 on day one. Lead rider Brad Binder explained that turning is better this year, but it's come at the expense of rear grip.

"I have one issue: we need rear grip," he said. "We’re just missing a bit of natural grab from the rear tyre. Already peeling into the corner, it wants to come around. And then you go for the gas but it’s already slipping. You keep sliding the whole time. It’s not making that hook-up and driving. That’s what we’re missing. It’s clear to us. We fix that and it’ll make a massive difference."

An 'angry' Fabio di Giannantonio will not test on day two following his concussion on Saturday. Meanwhile, Aleix Espargaro struggled with chronic arm pump on day one, which he admitted might be due to all of the downforce from the extra fork, swingarm and rear seat wings fitted to the Aprilia.



2023 OFFICIAL PORTIMAO MOTOGP TEST - DAY 2 (11:30AM)
RIDER NAT TEAM TIME LAP SPEED
1 ^1 Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) 1m 38.717s 24/24 339.6
2 NA Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +0.133s 11/12 340.6
3 ^4 Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.137s 20/22 337.5
4 ˅3 Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +0.223s 13/27 339.6
5 NA Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.296s 9/9 337.5
6 ^3 Miguel Oliveira POR RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +0.371s 22/23 341.7
7 ˅3 Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +0.397s 16/17 339.6
8 = Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +0.501s 15/18 340.6
9 ^3 Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP22) +0.520s 14/16 337.5
10 ˅5 Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +0.535s 22/25 339.6
11 ˅8 Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +0.575s 12/24 339.6
12 ^1 Pol Espargaro SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16) +0.809s 18/19 338.5
13 ˅7 Marc Marquez SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.835s 13/19 340.6
14 ^2 Joan Mir SPA Repsol Honda (RC213V) +0.919s 12/15 330.2
15 ˅5 Alex Rins SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.184s 19/21 337.5
16 ˅5 Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +1.190s 14/15 336.4
17 ˅3 Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +1.284s 10/11 335.4
18 = Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +1.335s 15/16 334.3
19 NA Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +1.434s 2/7 343.9
20 ˅5 Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +1.884s 4/4 335.4
21 ˅2 Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Test Rider (GP23) +1.899s 16/18 335.4
22 ˅5 Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +2.343s 4/13

[mangocrazy]

I'd never been really convinced by Alex Marquez. He'd done OK in Moto2, albeit taking 5 years to become champion, but in the big class he'd never been a regular front-runner, always on the margins of the top 10. But now he's got a Ducati underneath him, he's showing what he can do.

[Skub]

" Aleix Espargaro struggled with chronic arm pump on day one, which he admitted might be due to all of the downforce from the extra fork, swingarm and rear seat wings fitted to the Aprilia".

I wonder if that'll be a looming factor for riders,with all the sprouting wings n' schitt.

[mangocrazy]

" Aleix Espargaro struggled with chronic arm pump on day one, which he admitted might be due to all of the downforce from the extra fork, swingarm and rear seat wings fitted to the Aprilia".

I wonder if that'll be a looming factor for riders,with all the sprouting wings n' schitt.

The law of unintended consequences strikes again...

[wull]

Another string to the bow of absolute fuckery that MotoGP has become.

[mangocrazy]

Another string to the bow of absolute fuckery that MotoGP has become.

It's a prototype class, get over it. You have the production-based class (WSB) that you clearly prefer, which is cool. Different series, different rules, different outcomes.

Personally I prefer to see the world's best riders on the world's fastest bikes. And the time differences between riders are significantly closer in MotoGP, which also adds spice.

[wull]

0.571s faster than the outright lap record

[wull]

Another string to the bow of absolute fuckery that MotoGP has become.

It's a prototype class, get over it. You have the production-based class (WSB) that you clearly prefer, which is cool. Different series, different rules, different outcomes.

Personally I prefer to see the world's best riders on the world's fastest bikes. And the time differences between riders are significantly closer in MotoGP, which also adds spice.

Get over what? If you have an issue with me having a moan about MotoGP then do one, I wasn’t moaning at you so don’t bother your arse coming the cunt with me.