Repsol Honda Team start intensive Spanish GP work
Joan Mir and Luca Marini remained focused on the task ahead of them as they capitalised on all the available Friday track time in Jerez.
The fourth round of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship got underway at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto as Joan Mir and Luca Marini completed 89 laps between them. Working diligently, the pair experimented with the respective setups of their Honda RC213V machines in the quest to close the gap to the front.
Ending the afternoon in 21st with a best time of 1’37.476, Mir was half a second faster than his best time from Friday in 2023. The #36 feels there is more to come tomorrow after a last-minute setting change improved his feeling in the afternoon. Keeping his expectations realistic, Mir and his side of the Repsol Honda Team garage have clear targets in mind to continue the progress of the weekend.
Luca Marini found the day more challenging as he finished with a best time of 1’37.838, some 0.4s back on his teammate. Comparing his data and setting to that of his fellow Honda riders, Marini is confident in finding more pace overnight. Saturday and Sunday present more opportunities to continue progressing.
Both riders will now contest Q1 on Saturday as they battle to define their grid positions for the Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Joan Mir
“Today was along the lines of what we were expecting after the first races. We are struggling with turning here unfortunately. We were able to make a good change with the setup of the bike in the afternoon and I feel like we can do a mid 36 – it’s a realistic goal with a bit here and a bit there. I felt better in the afternoon and I think this time is a realistic goal so let’s work with the team for it.”
Luca Marini
“The weekend has started in a similar way to the previous ones, maybe we were expecting a little bit more with the layout. We need to work on closing the gap, especially with new tyres because the other riders are able to make a gap there. Taka was strong today so it gives us something to look at and study overnight to make some more improvements. There are things to do and things to try.”
Friday Practice - Gran Premio de España
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bagnaia Francesco | 1 | ITA | Ducati Lenovo Team | Ducati | 01'36.025 |
| 2 | Vinales Maverick | 12 | SPA | Aprilia Racing | Aprilia | 0.100 |
| 3 | Marquez Marc | 93 | SPA | Team Gresini Racing MotoGP | Ducati | 0.143 |
| 4 | Bezzecchi Marco | 72 | ITA | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | Ducati | 0.339 |
| 5 | Martin Jorge | 89 | SPA | Pramac Racing | Ducati | 0.410 |
| 6 | Acosta Pedro | 31 | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech 3 | KTM | 0.414 |
| 7 | Espargaro Aleix | 41 | SPA | Aprilia Racing | Aprilia | 0.421 |
| 8 | Bastianini Enea | 23 | ITA | Ducati Lenovo Team | Ducati | 0.455 |
| 9 | Di Giannantonio Fabio | 49 | ITA | Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team | Ducati | 0.511 |
| 10 | Marquez Alex | 73 | SPA | Team Gresini Racing MotoGP | Ducati | 0.514 |
| 11 | Binder Brad | 33 | RSA | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | KTM | 0.619 |
| 12 | Morbidelli Franco | 21 | ITA | Pramac Racing | Ducati | 0.686 |
| 13 | Miller Jack | 43 | AUS | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | KTM | 0.875 |
| 14 | Pedrosa Dani | SPA | 0.919 | |||
| 15 | Rins Alex | 42 | SPA | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP | Yamaha | 0.934 |
| 16 | Nakagami Takaaki | 30 | JPN | LCR Honda | Honda | 0.944 |
| 17 | Fernandez Raul | 25 | SPA | Trackhouse Racing | Aprilia | 1.086 |
| 18 | Zarco Johann | 5 | FRA | LCR Honda | Honda | 1.252 |
| 19 | Oliveira Miguel | 88 | POR | Trackhouse Racing | Aprilia | 1.317 |
| 20 | Quartararo Fabio | 20 | FRA | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP | Yamaha | 1.357 |
| 21 | Mir Joan | 36 | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 1.451 |
| 22 | Fernandez Augusto | 37 | SPA | Red Bull GASGAS Tech 3 | KTM | 1.586 |
| 23 | Bradl Stefan | 6 | GER | HRC Test Team | Honda | 1.684 |
| 24 | Marini Luca | 10 | ITA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 1.813 |
| 25 | Savadori Lorenzo | 32 | ITA | Trackhouse Racing | Aprilia | 1.877 |
Location Information
Built in 1986 and hosting its first Grand Prix one year later, the circuit of Jerez is now one of the most popular MotoGP venues and the focal point for a city fanatical about sport. Set in a slight valley in the south of Spain, Jerez is blessed with consistently… read more.
| Length | 4.423 kilometres / 2.748 miles |
| Width | 11 metres |
| Left corners | 5 |
| Right corners | 8 |
| Longest straight | 0.607 kilometres / 0.377 miles |
| Constructed | 1986 |
| Modified | 2002 |
| Resurfacing | Complete resurfacing before 2018 round |
Circuito de Jerez, Jerez, Spain - View in Google Maps
Records
| Pole Position | 1m 36.170s (165.5km/h) Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati, 2022) |
| Race Lap | 1m 37.449s (163.3km/h) Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati, 2024) |
| Race Time | 40m 58.053s (161.9km/h) Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati, 2024) |
| 2024 Race Winner | Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) |
| 2024 Sprint Winner | Jorge Martin (Ducati) |
