Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) has stormed to pole position at the iconic Monster Energy British Grand Prix after a tense qualifying. The #48 set a new lap record in the process, and pipped Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), with just 0.041s separating the top two riders. Joining Ortola and Veijer on the front row was Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports), who found incredible time on his fifth lap of qualifying and looks strong on his own.
Q1 exit for Muñoz as pole battle begins
There was drama early in Q1 with David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) losing the front and crashing at Turn 7. As the clock ticked down, the pace began to heat up with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) stealing to honours in Q1 after a fantastic final flying lap. Joining the Spaniard in Q2 were Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team). With the Q2 spots decided it led to a stunning session, with the Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 duo working together and Jacob Roulstone topping the order in the opening stages.
However, in the final five minutes, the majority of the field began to set their fast laps with Veijer setting the pace – taking provisional pole position. Ortola would quickly respond, setting a sensational 2:09.270. Meanwhile, Veijer was already on another flying lap, with the battle for pole position going down to the wire as the Dutchman missed out by less than a tenth.
Alonso starts in fourth
David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) will start Sunday’s race from the second row of the grid, qualifying in fourth position – 0.628s adrift from his rival. The Colombian left it late to set a time and will start ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), who rounds out the top five on the grid. Next to the #6 on the grid will be Roulstone, showing great potential and consistency this weekend.
Further back, Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) will head the third row of the grid, as he continues to look comfortable at Silverstone. Nepa will start alongside two experienced riders on the third row with Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) in eighth and Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) starting from ninth on the grid. Some big names will have work to do further back, with both Leopard Racing machines starting outside the top 10 and Scott Ogden (Fibre Tec Honda - MLav Racing) starting from 17th at his home Grand Prix.
Next up for Moto3™ is to go racing on Sunday at 11:15 local time (UTC +1), so make sure you don’t miss anything and tune in on motogp.com!
Top 10:
| 1 | Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets - MSI) | 2:09.270 |
| 2 | Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) | +0.041 |
| 3 | Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) | +0.483 |
| 4 | David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) | +0.628 |
| 5 | Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets - MSI) | +0.661 |
| 6 | Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) | +0.770 |
| 7 | Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP - MTA) | +0.849 |
| 8 | Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) | +0.858 |
| 9 | Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) | +1.184 |
| 10 | Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | +1.516 |