Aleix Espargaro fired Aprilia to the fastest time in FP1 for the Doha Grand Prix with a late flyer to deny Suzuki’s Alex Rins at the death.
Espargaro continued to build upon the strong form put on display from Aprilia’s newly upgraded RS-GP to mix it with the top five times throughout the 45-minute test, though he only unleashed his steeds full potential as the session entered its closing moments.
Qatar GP winner Maverick Vinales led the way with a 1:55.095s tour with only time for each rider to post a couple last minute flyers, Espargaro making his efforts count as he moved into the top spot with a 1:54.868.
His time at the head of the scoring pylon was short as Vinales struck back with a gambit 0.004 quicker just seconds later, though it would be Espargaro that would get the last laugh as he moved back into the lead thanks to a final last gasp lap.
Vinales would find himself bumped to third by the end thanks to a late improving Rins, while Jorge Martin fired in time strong enough for fourth in the dying moments.
Franco Morbidelli’s rotten Qatar luck continued as the second straight event at the Losail International Circuit got underway, the Italian’s Petronas SRT-run Yamaha suffering a suspected engine failure on the run to Turn 1 in the early minutes of FP1.
He was able to coast back to the pits and re-join the action following some quick repairs, though the M1 began smoking yet again as the test entered its final stages, bringing an end to his FP1 outing.
His double-calamity is sure to be a cause of concern for Yamaha following the Japanese manufacturers valve-related issues with its powertrain in the early part of last season, an ailment that factored into it losing the constructors title after receiving a point penalty for using illegal valves following its early problems.
The 2020 vice-champion was able to salvage fifth in the session despite his problems though ahead of Danilo Petrucci’s Tech 3 KTM, with Fabio Quartararo on the second factory Yamaha in seventh overall.
Joan Mir ended FP1 eighth quickest, while Honda duo Stefan Bradl and Takaaki Nakagami completed the top ten.
Apart from Martin the rest of the Ducati brigade began the Doha GP weekend on a quiet note, Jack Miller the highest classified of the marque’s crack GP20 bikes in 18th overall ahead of team-mate Francesco Bagnaia in 20th, while Johann Zarco was only 22nd after being the only man to crash during the session-at Turn 15 in the opening minutes.
Luca Marini put in a good performance on his Avintia-run Ducati to end opening practice as top rookie in 11th, while Valentino Rossi was the only one of the Yamaha contingent to take the chequered flag outside the top ten, the seven-time premier class champion 17th behind factory KTM pair Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder.
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