SIC58 Squadra Corse's Tatsuki Suzuki secured back-to-back pole positions in the Moto3™ class after obliterating the outright lap record at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España on Saturday. With a minute remaining and with clear track ahead, the Japanese star put his head down and grabbed his second pole of 2020, four months after his first.
Four months apart, but back-to-back pole positions for @TatsukiSuzuki24! ????@M16NO and @johnmcp17 complete the front row! ????#SpanishGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/jQ727NllHY
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) July 18, 2020
He'll be joined on the front row by Petronas Sprinta Racing's John McPhee after the Scot tucked in behind the SIC58 man on his flying lap and took benefit of the tow to go second with just seconds remaining. However, SKY Racing Team VR46's Andrea Migno dug deep with the chequered flag out to split the Japanese rider and the Scotsman on the front of the grid meaning Sunday's front row for the Spanish Grand Prix will read Suzuki, Migno, McPhee.
Half a second behind Suzuki's monstrous 1:45.465 and fronting row two of the grid is Red Bull KTM Ajo's Raul Fernandez who, despite complaining of front-end feel halfway through Q2, found some pace to go fourth. He'll be joined on row two by Migno's SKY Racing Team VR46 counterpart Celestino Vietti and Kömmerling Gresini Moto3's Jeremy Alcoba - a sensational performance from the lightweight class rookie.
Moto3™ World Championship leader Albert Arenas will try to defend his five point lead from seventh on the grid, with the experienced Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) a place behind in eighth having progressed through from Q1 and the Free Practice pacesetter Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) joining the Spaniard and the Italian on the third row of the grid in ninth.
All aboard the @SkyRacingTeam train! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) July 18, 2020
Celestino Vietti and @M16NO working together in Q2! ????#SpanishGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/3BMBmitrfG
Row four is packed full of Moto3™ victories and Championship protagonists with Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team) joined by Leopard Racing's Jaume Masia and SIC58 Squadra Corse's Niccolo Antonelli. Picking a favourite for Sunday's race is certainly a difficult task with anyone all the way down to Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0), dead last on the grid after failing to set a lap in Q1, more than capable of challenging at the front. Lights go out at 11:00 local time (GMT+2).
Top 10:
1. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) – 1:45.465
2. Andrea Migno (SKY Racing Team VR46) + 0.195
3. John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) + 0.307
4. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.501
5. Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) + 0.611
6. Jeremy Alcoba (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) + 0.626
7. Albert Arenas (Gaviota Aspar Team Moto3) + 0.696
8. Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) + 0.773
9. Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) + 0.800
10. Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team) + 0.877