Another exciting MotoGP™ double header just got started at the Grand Prix of Germany, but the Red Bull KTM Tech3 squad unfortunately faced the absence of Enea Bastianini on the opening day at the Sachsenring. The Italian was hospitalised on Thursday after being diagnosed with appendicitis, and he was forced to miss day 1 of action at the Sachsenring. If the treatment received has allowed Enea to feel a bit better, the team got confirmation a few minutes ago that the number 23 will miss the remainder of the German Grand Prix, as he focuses on a proper and speedy recovery, with the target to be in Brno next week. Maverick Viñales remained the sole soldier to ride the RC16 on Tech3’s side. At the end of a competitive Practice that saw 13 riders finish less than one second from Fabio Di Giannantonio, ‘Top Gun’ unfortunately came a bit short and missed out on Q2 by a narrow margin of just 0.047 seconds, in P11.
Grand Prix of Germany
Ready to take on an exciting double header starting with this German leg, Maverick Viñales was eager to try the RC16 on the 13 turns of the fun Sachsenring track. Clouds were around all day in Germany, but no rain showed up. Maverick Viñales seemed at ease in the opening Free Practice 1 this morning, as he took the 5th time with a 1'20.947, while the king of the ring Marc Marquez took the honours of an already competitive opening session. As the fight for Q2 began with Practice at 15:00, the Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider first focused on the race pace in the first half hour, before it was time for the time attacks. Viñales began to increase the efforts alongside his opponents, and he sat in a provisional 4th place, 0.335 seconds off Marc Marquez who had set the benchmark in 1’19.812, 15 minutes to the end. We had 17 riders less than one second from each other, the final minutes promised some sparkles. Maverick dropped to P10 when ten minutes remained, but that was just before he could earn a few more hundredths with a 1’20.045 to move up to 8th. One final pit box return, and ‘Top Gun’ chose to exit for the final run with just two flying laps left, a risky bet, but if you don’t play, you don’t win! He improved to 1’19.780 in the first lap, and then he was on course to improve his final lap, but the crash of Fermin Aldeguer in the last corner meant yellow flag, and lap cancelled for Viñales. P11 for today, and we will have to go through Q1 in the morning.
While we wish Enea a speedy and prompt recovery, the action will resume on Saturday at 10:10 (UTC+2) with Free Practice 2, followed immediately by qualifying. Then, the Tissot Sprint will start at 15:00 LT, for 15 laps!
MAVERICK VIÑALES: "It has been a tough day, but one to learn. Since FP1 I have not felt good on the bike. This is why it is important for us to try understanding why specifically in Sachsenring we are not feeling right. So let's try to understand, I am open to working together, to keep improving the lines to improve our lap times. Tomorrow will be a different day, so let's work, because we must be better."
PRACTICE SESSION RESULTS
1. Fabio Di Giannatonio (ITA), VR46 Racing Team, 1'19.071
2. Alex Marquez (SPA), BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP, +0.337
3. Marc Marquez (SPA), Ducati Lenovo Team, +0.390
11. Maverick Viñales (SPA), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.709
TRACK RECORDS
All Time Record: 2025 - F. Di Giannatonio (ITA) - 1'19.071 - 167.1 km/h
Best Race Lap: 2024 - J. Martin (SPA) - 1'20.667 - 163.8 km/h
Best Pole: 2024 - J. Martin (SPA) - 1'19.423 - 166.3 km/h
Top Speed: 2024 - P. Acosta (SPA) - 306.8 km/h
