Honda HRC Castrol aim to regroup after complicated Portimao Saturday

12th across the line at the end of the Sprint, a fast-starting Luca Marini brought it home as Joan Mir’s potential was masked by an early issue. The pair frustrated after a run of strong races.

Overnight rain left a damp track as morning practice began, Luca Marini and Joan Mir completing just a handful of laps in the conditions which were too wet for slicks but too dry for wets until the final moments. 18th and third respectively, Marini and Mir turned their attentions to Qualifying and the Sprint as the sun gained control.

Entering Q1 as one of the favourites, Marini attacked straight away having already understood the condition of the circuit from the previous session. As the flag came out on Q1, less than a tenth of a second would again heartbreakingly separate the Italian from progressing further. Starting from 13th and as determined as ever, Marini shot off the line with another rocket launch to immediately charge into the top ten as the Sprint began. A moment at Turn 5 would see Marini lose a handful of positions, settling into 12th place and keeping fellow Honda rider Johann Zarco in his sights throughout the remainder of the Sprint. More work to do as the #10 hunts grip and a step from his overall pace.

Straight into the top 12 shoot out, Mir managed a solid seventh to lead the third row of the grid as he and his side of the Honda HRC Castrol garage continued to refine his feeling on the Honda RC213V. Complications would arise when the 12-lap Sprint began, Mir slow off the line and dropping right down the order into Turn 1. Rallying briefly, the #36 would get back into the top 15 before opting to retire from the race and risk further complications. Honda HRC are investigating the issue but are confident of avoiding a repeat on Sunday.

After such a strong series of races in Japan, Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia, Saturday’s result leaves Marini and Mir with work to do on Sunday. The 25-lap Portuguese GP is schedueld for 13:00 Local Time, ahead of the Moto3 race.