Rookie sensation Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) has taken no time to get to grips with the fast and flowing Silverstone Circuit as the title-chasing Spaniard sits top of the Moto2™ pile after Day 1 at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix. Fernandez’ 2:04.501 was marginally enough to beat FP1 pacesetter Jorge Navarro (Lightech Speed Up) by 0.017s in the afternoon, as home crowd favourite Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) completed the top three.
What a way to finish the session ????@25RaulFernandez snatches P1 in the last minutes ????#Moto2 | #BritishGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/TB51aZaJmL
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) August 27, 2021
Raul Fernandez and Navarro clear of the pack
Friday morning belonged to 2019 British GP podium finisher Navarro and heading into the closing stages of FP2, it looked like Friday afternoon would do to. The Spaniard sat three tenths clear of anyone but as the riders picked up the pace in the latter stages, Raul Fernandez was able to pip his compatriot to P1. The duo are three tenths faster than Lowes in third, the British rider enjoyed his FP2 after a Brooklands corner crash dented his FP1 slightly.
Augusto Fernandez and Gardner in touch
The field is unusually spread out so far in the Moto2™ class, but three-time 2021 consecutive podium finisher Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and World Championship leader Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) are fourth and fifth, under half a second away. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) picked up P6 ahead of seventh place Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46), the latter crashed unhurt at the end of FP2 at Turn 12. Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team), Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) and Aron Canet (Kipin Energy Aspar Team) completed the top 10 ahead of Saturday’s action.
Can anyone close the gap to Raul Fernandez and Navarro at the top in FP3? Make sure you tune in at 10:55 local time (GMT+1) to see who will be straight into Q2.
Top 10:
1. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – 2:04.501
2. Jorge Navarro (Lightech Speed Up) + 0.017
3. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.314
4. Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.365
5. Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.414
6. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) + 0.694
7. Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) + 0.771
8. Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) + 0.816
9. Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) + 1.208
10. Aron Canet (Kipin Energy Aspar Team) + 1.334