Two Aprilias up in smoke - What happened in MotoGP Hungarian GP FP1
MotoGP

Two Aprilias up in smoke - What happened in MotoGP Hungarian GP FP1

by Josh Suttill
2 min read

Marc Marquez topped the first MotoGP practice session at Balaton Park that featured two Aprilias going up in smoke. 

Riders spent FP1 trying to get up to speed on the new circuit, which is hosting the first Hungarian Grand Prix on the MotoGP calendar in over 30 years. 

But there was early drama as Jorge Martin’s Aprilia RS-GP25 went up in smoke as he approached Turn 1. 

That was soon followed by Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez’s Aprilia also catching fire at Turn 5, dropping oil on the track that caused a lengthy red flag. 

“First of all it’s necessary to say we have to understand [the problems] better,” Aprilia race manager Paolo Bonora explained during the session.  

“The two problems probably have two different reasons. 

“During FP1s we put the more used engine on the bike and they are the more used for both riders. But in particular for Jorge, it’s necessary to remember it was the bike that crashed in Spielberg in the sprint [last Saturday].

“We checked everything after the race and to be honest, we did all the checks to be sure to make sure we bring to the race track, an engine that can go with the correct reliability. 

“But after the smoke, it’s necessary to understand very carefully what happened. 

“At the moment, our technician is analysing both of the engines.” 

Both riders rejoined the session with Martin rounding out the top 10 and Fernandez 17th at the chequered flag. 

Marc Marquez was once again fastest but he was the only Ducati rider in the top four. 

Maverick Vinales’s stand-in Pol Espargaro - the only rider with MotoGP experience of Balaton Park - made a strong start as Marquez’s nearest challenger, just 0.277s adrift. 

Pedro Acosta backed up KTM’s strong start in third place ahead of Luca Marini’s Honda. 

Alex Marquez’s Ducati was fifth ahead of Marco Bezzecchil, Franco Morbidelli - despite crashes at both Turn 1 and through the Turn 15 right-hander - Enea Bastianini, Fermin Aldeguer and Martin. 

Pecco Bagnaia was 15th, 1.383s off his factory Ducati team-mate Marquez.

Jack Miller - under-pressure and irritated coming into the weekend about his uncertain MotoGP future beyond this year - fell at the Turn 12 chicane in the dying moments of the session. 

He ended up 13th with Fabio Quartararo the top Yamaha in 11th place, 1.057s off the top spot.

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