Quartararo tops MotoGP FP2, but suffers nasty turn eight crash

Just like Marc Marquez in FP1, Fabio Quartararo topped FP2 for the British MotoGP while also suffering a nasty looking crash at turn eight. 
Fabio Quartararo British MotoGP, 27 August 2021
Fabio Quartararo British MotoGP, 27 August 2021
© Gold and Goose Photography

Fabio Quartararo ended day-one of the British MotoGP fastest thanks to a blistering final run, however, the Yamaha rider had to recover from a nasty looking fall at turn eight. 

Following this morning’s FP1 session, Marc Marquez showed no ill effects of his huge turn two crash and was instead the first rider out of pit lane. 

With just eight minutes gone, a worrying moment for championship leader Quartararo occurred as he crashed at turn eight and was visibly in a lot of discomfort. 

The Frenchman was initially helped away from the track by a marshal, before being able to walk off on his own accord. 

Johann Zarco was the first rider to better Marc Marquez’ top time from this morning, before Aleix Espargaro did the same to go fastest. Pol Espargaro then became the third rider to do so as he moved into second spot.

Alex Marquez suffered a second fall of the day with 17 minutes gone - a crash that was very similar to his brother Marc at turn two.  

Quartararo was soon back on track with a new medium rear tyre after slipping down to eight place on combined times. And after a couple of slower laps Quartararo went fastest overall, while Marquez slotted into P3 on used tyres. 

With just over ten minutes to go, Quartararo improved again with a 2:00.132s lap as he and team-mate for the weekend Cal Crutchlow were the only riders out on the circuit. 

Jake Dixon continued to improve as the day went on and managed to get within three seconds of Quartararo, who in turn was fourth tenths better off than second place. 

Quartararo then produced a sensational sub two minute lap once the time-attacks began to finish over five tenths clear of Miller and Jorge Martin. 

Fourth and fifth were the Repsol Honda pair of Espargaro and Marquez, while Franceco Bagnaia made it three Ducati’s inside the top six. 

Rounding out the top ten was the Aprilia of Espargaro, AustrianGP winner Brad Binder, Alex Rins and Valentino Rossi.

Read More