The Marquez brothers start the Spanish Grand Prix at the top of the Free Practice 1 rankings, with Alex best time ahead of his brother Marc. The official Aprilias of Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaro complete a 100% Spanish top-4. Fabio Quartararo is 14th, Johann Zarco (19th) fell.
Will we go under 1’36 for the first time in history at Jerez this weekend? The 2024 Spanish Grand Prix is in any case starting at a very high pace. As of this Friday morning, Alex Marquez clocked 1’36.630 on his Ducati, coming within half a second of the absolute circuit record. A great time which propels the Gresini Racing driver to the top of the hierarchy ahead of his brother Marc, very good 2nd but pushed back to 0.507s. The Spaniards dominate at home, with a 100% Iberian top-4: the Marquez are followed by Maverick Vinales (+0.591) et Aleix Espargaro (+0.673), both on Aprilia RS-GPs. The first competitor from another country is Franco Morbidelli (+0.917), surprising 5th.
Highly anticipated for its first appearance of the year, The days of Pedrosa climbs to 7th place (+0.983) and serves as the best KTM rider. The Austrian brand, which tested here recently, places three machines in the top 10 thanks to Brad Binder 8th (+0.988) and the rookie Pedro Acosta 10th (+1.012). The official Ducatis of Francesco Bagnaia (+1.162) et Enea Bastianini (+1.256) are 12th and 13th, but we know that they generally start the Grands Prix behind before moving up over the sessions.
Fabio Quartararo, 14th, is, as is often the case, the best ranked rider equipped with a Japanese motorcycle. The Frenchman and his Yamaha are 1.382s off the best time, two tenths ahead of the other M1 of Alex Rins ranked 17th (+1.573). Johann Zarco is the best Honda rider in 19th place despite a fall, with a gap of 1.730s on Alex Marquez.
Jerez (Spanish GP) – Free Practice: