The one from San Sebastián de los Reyes (Madrid) became the man of the day in Losail after signing his first pole position in MotoGP in what is only his second grand prix with the big bikes.
The Moto3 world champion in 2018 has been able to transfer all the explosiveness to MotoGP in a lap that has already made him leave the small category with the record for pole positions (20) and in the Doha GP he achieved his first success, for ahead of his partner Johann Zarco and Maverick Viñales.
Precisely with the Catalan he maintains a good relationship, since in recent years they have been neighbors in Andorra and on occasion they have coincided training. For the Yamaha rider it is not a surprise to have him ahead.
“I was very happy for him and his family. Sometimes we train together, he is an incredibly talented person, we already know that from Moto3 and Moto2. He already showed it in the first race with the start. There was no doubt that he would go fast.” Viñales pointed out.
The #12 tried until the last moment to snatch pole from him, but he stayed 0.161s behind. However, for the race it looks good.
“I didn’t have a good feeling with the first tire, but with the second everything went well and we had a good lap. I thought I could do pole, but then the Pramac passed me. I feel very strong. My pace was very good in FP4, trying to control the tires. I still have to improve. I’m going to flip it tonight. Johann and Fabio [Quartararo] are very close. I’ve seen Mir quite strong. Gotta make up ground fast, gas, how do I open. There is ground to improve,” he said.
This Saturday, the strong wind was the protagonist in Losail, leaving the track in delicate conditions due to the sand and making things difficult for the pilots. On Sunday he could make an appearance again.
“The air can play tricks. Fabio also goes fast with the wind. The most important thing is that there is no dirt on the track because it destroys the tires. If the track is clean, it’s just air, in some corners it works in your favor and against others. What you lose in one place you gain in another,” he said.
After having managed the previous race in Losail better than anyone else, Viñales has a clear strategy for the second.
“I will try not to lose positions and push from the first lap. Later we will see. There is no plan. Our strategy is to go out and shoot, put a fast pace. That’s what I have in mind,” he said.
The photos of Maverick Viñales at the 2021 MotoGP Doha Grand Prix
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Photo by: MotoGP
Photo by: MotoGP
Photo de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
