After a weather interrupted FP1, the lightweight class were slightly worried as heavy clouds gathered above the circuit. Fortunately for the Moto3™ World Championship, track conditions were slightly improved with a ground temperature of 20°C. They had little to worry about, spits of rain only coming in the final seconds of the session.
By cutting over a second off his time, Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing Moto3) was able to go from third in Free Practice 1 to the top of Free Practice 2 and conclude the day as the fastest rider in the lightweight class. His time of 1’27.496 was 0.093s faster than second but over four tenths quicker than the rest of the field. Many had expected him to challenge for the title this year, but a broken wrist before Le Mans put a serious dent into that ambition. Now fully healed, the Italian could take race wins away from the main championship contenders.
Fastest in FP1, Romano Fenati (SKY Racing Team VR46) was quick straight away and led until the final few minutes. His session was brought to a premature end when he came into contact with Adam Norrodin (Drive M7 SIC Racing Team). Neither was hurt but Fenati was only able to finish the session, and the day, in second. Fenati walked away from the incident unharmed and will be back to fight for pole in Qualifying on Saturday.
Rookie Nicolo Bulega (SKY Racing Team VR46) continued to be a quick study, ending the first day of practice as the third fastest rider. Having only raced in the Spanish and Italian championships, he has never had any experience around the German track and was off the pace during the morning session. Bulega has proven he can fight with the front group, could he be back on the podium this weekend?
Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA Racing Team) continued to show well after his breakthrough ride at the Catalan GP, ending Friday in fourth overall. Behind him and 0.754s slower than Bastianini was championship leader Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo). It’s been a quiet start to the weekend for the South African and there is some work to be done overnight.
Jules Danilo (Ongetta-Rivacold), Andrea Locatelli (Leopard Racing), Juanfran Guevara (RBA Racing Team), Francesco Bagnaia (Pull & Bear Aspar Mahindra Team) and Niccolo Antonelli (Ongetta-Rivacold) completed the top ten.
Jorge Navarro (Estrella Galicia 0,0) was back on track, the German GP his first race after breaking his left leg before Assen. The left hand nature of the circuit proved tough on his injury, ending the day in 12th.
Niccolo Antonelli crashed at Turn 7, losing the front as he ran down hill. Darryn Binder (Platinum Bay Real Estate) also suffered a fall, coming off his Mahindra at T11. The South African went to the medical centre for checks and will be reviewed further tomorrow. His teammate Danny Webb (Platinum Bay Real Estate) also had a crash, coming off at Turn 4.
Fabio Quartararo (Leopard Team) tipped off as he entered Turn 7, ending his session five minutes early and in the gravel.
Complete standings from the second practice session can be seen here.