Francesco Bagnaia clinched pole position for the 2024 Thai MotoGP with an impressive lap, solidifying his lead in Buriram as competitors stumbled. The Ducati Lenovo rider set a scorching time of 1'28.700s, marking a new track record and ensuring his place at the front of the grid. Bagnaia's dominance on the circuit was unmatched, even as his fellow Ducati riders were hot on his heels.
Enea Bastianini, also from the Ducati Lenovo team, was Bagnaia’s closest competitor, finishing just 0.232s behind. Bastianini demonstrated resilience and precision, pushing his GP24 to the limit to secure the second position. Jorge Martin from Pramac Ducati completed the front row, despite a challenging session that saw him crash. Martin's performance highlighted his grit, as he rebounded to claim a spot in the top three.
Here is the video:
Contrasting fortunes!!! @88jorgemartin crashes as @PeccoBagnaia throws in the first 1:28 lap in Thailand! 🤯#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/PHgpM2beq2
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 26, 2024
A notable incident during the qualifying rounds was Marc Marquez's crash. The Spanish rider, who had been a top performer during practice, suffered a setback in Q2, landing him in the fifth position. Marquez's crash, while jarring, fortunately, left him unhurt, and he will line up between Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Quartararo. Despite the crash, Marquez’s lap times demonstrated his potential to make a strong comeback during the race.
Fabio Quartararo takes the second row!
Monster Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo secured sixth place, showcasing consistent pace as he handled the demanding conditions of Buriram. Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 made a commendable effort, clocking in at seventh place with an impressive top speed of 341 km/h, the highest recorded in qualifying.
The challenging Buriram track, known for its intense heat and its impact on tyre durability, pushed riders to their limits. Michelin supplied stiffer rear tyres for this event, which proved crucial in maintaining control under extreme conditions. Despite the obstacles, Bagnaia, with his composed and fierce approach, emerged victorious, leaving fans eager for the Buriram Sprint race.
Thai MotoGP 2024 Qualifying Results (Top 12):
Position |
Rider |
Nation |
Team |
Time / Diff |
Lap |
Max Speed |
1 |
Francesco Bagnaia |
ITA |
Ducati Lenovo (GP24) |
1'28.700s |
6/8 |
333 km/h |
2 |
Enea Bastianini |
ITA |
Ducati Lenovo (GP24) |
+0.232s |
6/9 |
334 km/h |
3 |
Jorge Martin |
SPA |
Pramac Ducati (GP24) |
+0.430s |
3/5 |
334 km/h |
4 |
Marco Bezzecchi |
ITA |
VR46 Ducati (GP23) |
+0.624s |
4/9 |
330 km/h |
5 |
Marc Marquez |
SPA |
Gresini Ducati (GP23) |
+0.686s |
3/5 |
333 km/h |
6 |
Fabio Quartararo |
FRA |
Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) |
+0.708s |
8/9 |
334 km/h |
7 |
Pedro Acosta |
SPA |
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16)* |
+0.719s |
8/9 |
341 km/h |
8 |
Fabio Di Giannantonio |
ITA |
VR46 Ducati (GP23) |
+0.735s |
5/5 |
330 km/h |
9 |
Alex Marquez |
SPA |
Gresini Ducati (GP23) |
+0.827s |
9/9 |
327 km/h |
10 |
Maverick Viñales |
SPA |
Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) |
+0.928s |
8/8 |
333 km/h |
11 |
Franco Morbidelli |
ITA |
Pramac Ducati (GP24) |
+1.036s |
3/5 |
335 km/h |
12 |
Johann Zarco |
FRA |
LCR Honda (RC213V) |
+1.097s |
8/8 |
335 km/h |
13 |
Brad Binder |
RSA |
Red Bull KTM (RC16) |
1'29.535s |
6/9 |
330k |
14 |
Aleix Espargaro |
SPA |
Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) |
1'29.568s |
7/8 |
336k |
15 |
Jack Miller |
AUS |
Red Bull KTM (RC16) |
1'29.773s |
3/8 |
331k |
16 |
Augusto Fernandez |
SPA |
Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 (RC16) |
1'29.828s |
6/8 |
332k |
17 |
Alex Rins |
SPA |
Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) |
1'29.835s |
9/9 |
328k |
18 |
Takaaki Nakagami |
JPN |
LCR Honda (RC213V) |
1'29.903s |
8/8 |
328k |
19 |
Joan Mir |
SPA |
Repsol Honda (RC213V) |
1'30.045s |
8/8 |
334k |
20 |
Raul Fernandez |
SPA |
Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP24) |
1'30.102s |
7/9 |
330k |
21 |
Luca Marini |
ITA |
Repsol Honda (RC213V) |
1'30.137s |
3/8 |
333k |
22 |
Lorenzo Savadori |
ITA |
Aprilia Racing (RS-GP24) |
1'30.592s |
5/6 |
335k |