Johann Zarco has been crowned poleman this Saturday during the Portuguese Grand Prix. The 31-year-old rider managed to win the time sheet over Joan Mir and Aleix Espargaró in a fight for pole that was not decided until a few seconds from the end.
This has been the 26th pole for the French rider, who since Germany in 2021 could not return to the hands of the Pramac Ducati rider.
“Q1 is much more difficult for the drivers,” compared the French driver after finishing the qualifying day. “Already having Q2 helps a lot to analyze how the other drivers can ride in these conditions,” he assured.
Now, Johann Zarco feels strong to return to the top drawer of a circuit where he finished on the podium last year and, with it, improve the position he registered in Indonesia.
“It’s perfect. It’s my first pole position of the season, I didn’t think I could do it here, but I’ve learned a lot,” the French driver clinched.
“We will see tomorrow, because it is difficult to have predictions. It should be dry conditions and with the experience of last October, I think we will have to play with the temperature and the wind this weekend.”
The choice of tires has been the great unknown during the day on Saturday, being able to appreciate very few bets on slicks. Faced with this situation, the Pramac Ducati rider underlines the importance of carrying out a good tire strategy.
“The good thing has been to have the same rubber for the whole session,” he said. “Also, we have been waiting for the track to be in the best possible condition.”
The French rider will start ahead of Joan Mir and Aleix Espargaró, in a race that seems unpredictable due to the weather conditions.
Results of the MotoGP Q1 of the Portuguese Grand Prix
| Cla | # | Pilot | Motorcycle | laps | Weather | Difference | Interval | Km/h | Top speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 73 |  |
 |
Sling | 8 | 1,46,316 | 158,606 | 0 | ||
| 2 | 10 |  |
 |
Ducati | 6 | 1’47.199 | 0.883 | 0.883 | 157,299 | 0 |
| 3 | 89 | |
 |
Ducati | 8 | 1’47,936 | 1,620 | 0.737 | 156,225 | 0 |
| 4 | 12 | |
 |
Aprilia | 5 | 1’49.332 | 3.016 | 1.396 | 154.231 | 0 |
| 5 | 49 | |
 |
Ducati | 6 | 1’49.639 | 3,323 | 0.307 | 153.799 | 0 |
| 6 | 4 | |
 |
Yamaha | 7 | 1’49,695 | 3.379 | 0.056 | 153.720 | 0 |
| 7 | 30 |  |
|
Honda | 7 | 1’49.889 | 3.573 | 0.194 | 153.449 | 0 |
| 8 | 23 | |
|
Ducati | 6 | 1’50.618 | 4.302 | 0.729 | 152.438 | 0 |
| 9 | 21 | |
 |
Yamaha | 7 | 1’50.702 | 4.386 | 0.084 | 152.322 | 0 |
| 10 | 87 |  |
 |
KTM | 4 | 1’50.953 | 4.637 | 0.251 | 151.977 | 0 |
| 11 | 32 | |
 |
Aprilia | 6 | 1’51,308 | 4,992 | 0.355 | 151,493 | 0 |
| 12 | 40 |  |
 |
Yamaha | 8 | 1’51.639 | 5.323 | 0.331 | 151.043 | 0 |
| 13 | 42 | |
 |
Suzuki | 7 | 1’52.300 | 5.984 | 0.661 | 150.154 | 0 |
| 14 | 25 | |
 |
KTM | 6 | 1,53,603 | 7,287 | 1,303 | 148,432 | 0 |
| 15 | 63 | |
 |
Ducati | 2 |
Results of the MotoGP Q2 of the Portuguese Grand Prix
| Cla | # | Pilot | Motorcycle | laps | Weather | Difference | Interval | Km/h | Top speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 |  |
 |
Ducati | 9 | 1’42.003 | 165.312 | 0 | ||
| 2 | 36 | |
 |
Suzuki | 9 | 1’42.198 | 0.195 | 0.195 | 164.997 | 0 |
| 3 | 41 | |
 |
April | 9 | 1’42,235 | 0.232 | 0.037 | 164,937 | 0 |
| 4 | 43 | |
 |
Ducati | 8 | 1’42.503 | 0.500 | 0.268 | 164.506 | 0 |
| 5 | 20 | |
 |
Yamaha | 8 | 1’42.716 | 0.713 | 0.213 | 164.165 | 0 |
| 6 | 72 | |
 |
Ducati | 9 | 1’42.716 | 0.713 | 0.000 | 164.165 | 0 |
| 7 | 73 | |
 |
Sling | 9 | 1,42,903 | 0.900 | 0.187 | 163,866 | 0 |
| 8 | 10 | |
 |
Ducati | 9 | 1’43.179 | 1.176 | 0.276 | 163,428 | 0 |
| 9 | 93 | |
 |
Sling | 8 | 1,43,575 | 1,572 | 0.396 | 162,803 | 0 |
| 10 | 44 | |
 |
Sling | 7 | 1,43,832 | 1,829 | 0.257 | 162,400 | 0 |
| eleven | 88 |  |
 |
KTM | 8 | 1’44.066 | 2,063 | 0.234 | 162,035 | 0 |
| 12 | 33 | |
 |
KTM | 8 | 1’44.710 | 2.707 | 0.644 | 161.039 | 0 |
