Fernandez fastest as Dixon crashes in FP2

Augusto Fernandez has finished fastest in FP2 for the Moto2™ field at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider clocked a 2:04.573 just inside the final five minutes of the second practice session at the Silverstone Circuit, and that turned out to be the most rapid lap of the day for the intermediate class. Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team) was classified second after a late spill, with Alonso Lopez (CAG Speed Up) completing the top three.

Crash costs Dixon a chance of P1

Dixon had set the pace in FP1 at his home grand prix on a 2:05.409, and needed less than 10 minutes in FP2 to get down to a 2:05.097. He followed that up immediately with a 2:05.010 before, in the 35th minute session, the Briton went even faster again with a 2:04.760. However, Fernandez raised the bar moments later when he set a 2:04.573.

Dixon had been on top for most of the 75 minutes of practice to that point, dating back to the start of the morning session, and it seemed he might hit back when he went red (ie fastest) to the end of the second sector. However, the 26-year-old then tucked the front of his bike at Village (Turn 13), bringing a slightly premature end to his afternoon. It also effectively locked Fernandez into top spot, from Dixon himself and Lopez on a 2:05.129.

How the rest finished the day

Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) took fourth and Albert Arenas (GASGAS Aspar Team) fifth, while the three key riders in the title race are in the top 14 and therefore going straight into Q2, as it stands. In addition to Fernandez, who is second in the World Championship only on a countback, Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) finished the day ninth on a 2:05.546 and Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), who is only one point behind those two, was seventh on a 2:05.471.

Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40), who is fourth in the standings, will certainly be looking to improve his time in FP3. He is currently only 12th on a 2:05.639 after also falling during FP2, meaning his place in Q2 is assured. Keminth Kubo (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) too had an early crash in FP2 and would be classified 26th in the end, while Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) has been declared unfit having dislocated his left shoulder when he was flicked off his bike in FP1.

The fight for Q2 places will hot up again when FP3 takes place on Saturday morning. Catch all that action from 10:55 (GMT +1)!

Moto2™ Top 10 on Friday:
1. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – 2:04.573
2. Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.187
3. Alonso Lopez (CAG Speed Up) + 0.556
4. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.576
5. Albert Arenas (GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.785
6. Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) + 0.841
7. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) + 0.898
8. Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) + 0.939
9. Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) + 0.973
10. Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP)

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