Iannone takes a front row and starring role in the drama

Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) will start the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas from second after an action-packed qualifying day, with the day’s fastest man Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) penalised three positions after an incident with Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and the Italian gaining a place.

The ‘Maniac’, however, was a protagonist of sorts in the drama of the day - it was him Marquez was focused on when the reigning Champion then impeded Viñales, having been looking the wrong way.

Why? “I know a fast rider behind me can improve his laptime, and Iannone yesterday was first,” explained Marquez. “I was looking more for Iannone, and then I didn’t expect Maverick!”

And he was right to look, with Iannone confirming that was the idea: “Every rider tries to do the best for himself. I went out from the pits, I saw Marc, and I know he’s fast so I tried to follow him…and he didn’t want to overtake me…”

As stated, however, the Italian was indeed first on Friday, and led the timesheets into Saturday afternoon. The impressive qualifying – and he did eventually end up just behind Marquez in the session – just adds on the positives, and sets Iannone up for a solid Sunday.

The importance of the front row is an oft-used line post-qualifying, but for Iannone there’s a little more to it. On Friday, he explained that his biggest challenge at the moment is overtaking – so with only one man ahead of him on the grid, it’s looking good.

The importance of the front row is an oft-used line post-qualifying, but for Iannone there’s a little more to it. On Friday, he explained that his biggest challenge at the moment is overtaking – so with only one man ahead of him on the grid, it’s looking good.

On pace, too, it’s looking rosy for Sunday – but there Iannone errs on the side of caution, saying only that he’ll be pushing.

“At the moment it’s only on paper. For sure I want to be on the podium tomorrow and we need a good result, we’ve worked a lot since last year and step by step we’ve closed the gap. We’ll see tomorrow, but I’ll start with all my energy and push at 150%.”