GermanGP: Marc Márquez Rules Top Practice Sachsenring Again
Marc Márquez once again proved why Sachsenring is his kingdom after the Ducati Lenovo Team star dominated Friday Practice at the MotoGP German Grand Prix, setting the fastest lap and taking another step toward an unprecedented 10th premier-class victory at the legendary circuit.
The championship leader clocked a stunning 1:19.394, comfortably securing the fastest time of the day ahead of Raúl Fernández (Trackhouse MotoGP) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who completed the top three.
If Friday's performance is any indication, the "King of the Ring" looks firmly on course to extend his remarkable Sachsenring legacy.
After the opening laps, Marco Bezzecchi briefly led the timesheets ahead of Márquez and his younger brother Álex Márquez, but it didn't take long before the eight-time world champion began asserting his dominance around one of his favourite circuits.
As the session intensified, lap times continued to tumble, with Márquez becoming the first rider to break into the 1:19s before lowering the benchmark once again in the closing minutes.
The Ducati rider's final effort of 1:19.394 proved untouchable.
Raúl Fernández continued his impressive recent form by finishing second, confirming the competitiveness of the Trackhouse Aprilia package at Sachsenring.
Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio delivered another outstanding Friday performance, ending Practice in third after briefly occupying the top spot during the final time attack.
Álex Márquez finished fourth, while Jack Miller produced one of Yamaha's strongest sessions of the season by claiming fifth place and a direct ticket into Q2.
Friday wasn't without controversy. Franco Morbidelli was handed a three-place grid penalty after stewards ruled that he impeded Pedro Acosta at Turn 7 by slowing on the racing line during Practice.
It marks Morbidelli's second offence, resulting in an automatic sporting sanction ahead of qualifying
The biggest surprise of the day came from Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia.
The Ducati Lenovo Team rider failed to put together a competitive lap during the decisive closing stages, finishing outside the top ten and missing automatic qualification for Q2.
The reigning World Champion will now face the added pressure of Qualifying 1, where only the fastest two riders will advance.
Bagnaia will be joined in Q1 by several high-profile names, including:
- Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
- Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol)
- Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol)
- Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3), who crashed late in the session
With only two Q2 places available, Saturday's Q1 promises to be one of the most competitive qualifying sessions of the season.
Friday Practice Top 10
| Position | Rider | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc Márquez | Ducati Lenovo Team |
| 2 | Raúl Fernández | SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP |
| 3 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team |
| 4 | Álex Márquez | BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP |
| 5 | Jack Miller | Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP |
| 6 | Ai Ogura | SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP |
| 7 | Marco Bezzecchi | Aprilia Racing |
| 8 | Jorge Martín | Aprilia Racing |
| 9 | Pedro Acosta | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing |
| 10 | Franco Morbidelli | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team |
With Márquez once again looking almost unbeatable around Sachsenring, attention now shifts to Saturday's qualifying sessions.
Credit Photo : MotoGP
