2023 MotoGP World Championship Round 16: Unveiling the MotoGP Results – Hot

*Rookie.

Official Phillip Island MotoGP records
Best lap: Jorge Martin 1m 27.767s (2022)
Fastest race lap: Marc Marquez 1m 28.108s (2013)

Brad Binder and home hero KTM team-mate Jack Miller lead Friday practice for the 2023 Australian MotoGP at a sunny Phillip Island.

But there was more Friday drama for title leader Francesco Bagnaia, who suffered a repeat of last week’s Mandalika practice woes – again missing out on the top ten, sending him into Saturday’s Qualifying 1.

After striking straight back from his Mandalika mistake by dominating morning practice, albeit with a best time set on soft rear rubber, Bagnaia’s title rival Jorge Martin was again the rider to beat as the crucial final afternoon runs began.

By contrast, Bagnaia was still down in 14th. The Italian’s predicament made him an obvious target for those seeking a tow (since he couldn’t afford to back off) and there were no less than five riders – led by Martin, who didn’t actually need another fast lap – queued up behind the #1. 

Bagnaia, who seemed annoyed by the tow seekers, was slow onto the main straight to start his penultimate lap, dropping him to 18th and piling the pressure on for his final lap. Bagnaia duly improved, but only to 11th, while Martin settled for a safe fourth.

While the cameras focused on the title leaders, Maverick Vinales and then Binder went fastest, with Miller slotting his carbon fibre chassis into a popular second by just 0.148s.

GASGAS Tech3’s Pol Espargaro made it three RC16s in the top five.

Out-of-work Gresini rider Fabio di Giannantonio again turned heads by briefly featuring in P1 before being replaced at the top by Johann Zarco, who put in an early soft-tyre flier.

The Aprilias of Espargaro and team-mate Vinales then took over, before the Pramac duo of Martin and Zarco fought back for a purple one-two heading into the closing minutes.

After becoming the first faller this morning, Marc Marquez’s confidence was eroded further when he hit the ground again (at the same Turn 10) in the afternoon.

The #93 chased Martin to leap from 17th to 5th on a soft rear, but couldn’t cling to a place in the top ten and was relegated to 16th. 

A cruising Augusto Fernandez may well face a penalty for obstructing Fabio Quartararo at the end of the session.

*Rookie.

Official Phillip Island MotoGP records
Best lap: Jorge Martin 1m 27.767s (2022)
Fastest race lap: Marc Marquez 1m 28.108s (2013)

Jorge Martin responds perfectly to his Mandalika mistake by dominating opening practice for the 2023 Australian MotoGP at a dry and sunny Phillip Island.

Martin was fastest for much of the 45 minutes before returning on new soft rear rubber to blast 0.720s clear of the field (running medium rears).

Rookie Augusto Fernandez was an impressive second for GASGAS Tech3 with Maverick Vinales completing the top three for Aprilia.

Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia began the weekend in 11th after several trips down the long lap penalty loop after braking issues into Turn 4. The Ducati team were later seen wiping Bagnaia’s glove and front brake lever during a pit stop.

Marc Marquez was the first faller, suffering his 24th accident of the season when he lost the front of his Repsol Honda under braking for the MG Hairpin, after Lukey Heights.

Last year’s winner Alex Rins later tumbled at Turn 6, Siberia, fortunately walking away unharmed after completing his first grand prix since leg fractures in Indonesia last Sunday.

Luca Marini, who returned from a broken collarbone last weekend, suffered a big scare with an early near highside out of the fast final turn.

Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia takes an 18-point lead over Jorge Martin into the Australian MotoGP, after the Pramac Ducati rider’s costly fall from the lead at Mandalika last weekend.

Marco Bezzecchi’s Indonesian heroics, a week after breaking his (right) collarbone, means the VR46 rider has closed to 45 points from Martin. Team-mate Luca Marini, who took a debut pole position at Mandalika, also expects the condition of his broken (left) collarbone to be slightly improved.

After backing out of a planned comeback in Indonesia due to pain from his recently fractured ribs, Alex Marquez will try again at Phillip Island – meaning all 22 riders could line up for the Saturday Sprint for the first time since the Portimao season opener.

Nonetheless, last year’s Phillip Island winner Alex Rins is still recovering from leg fractures and Enea Bastianini from hand and ankle injuries.

Marc Marquez took his only podium of the season in Australia last year.

While decent weather is forecast for Friday and Saturday, rain and wind gusts reaching as high as 80km/h are predicted for Sunday, prompting speculation of possible schedule changes.