The GP of the Americas promises strong emotions. Maverick Viñales, effervescent and boisterous on pole (after his victory in the Portuguese Sprint), Pedro Acosta the wonder rookie, and Marc Márquez, hungry for his first victory. These three drivers will start from the front row of the grid in this Saturday’s Sprint race (10:00 p.m.) and in the Sunday race (9:00 p.m.) in Austin.
And in the second row, none other than the Ducati trio made up of the two officers, Bagnaia and Bastianini, and the Pramac of Jorge Martin, sixth, who suffered two falls.
Six top drivers with podium options who anticipate a close fight in the two duels of the Circuit of the Americas.
The Q2 qualifying session barely had any history. Bagnaia set the first provisional pole, but it was soon snatched away by Maverick Viñales with superior speed. The man from Roses finished off the first starting position with a second best lap that was definitive, while Acosta surpassed Márquez in second position.
Viñales, who had been the fastest in the first free practice on Friday, will have as his main rivals Acosta (the fastest in the third free practice), Martín despite his two falls and Márquez, who looks set for the podium.
“I hope to fight from the first lap for the first position,” commented Viñales, in search of his first Sunday victory with Aprilia. “We have little to lose and a lot to gain,” threatens Pedro Acosta, who is looking for his second podium after the one achieved in Portimao in the long race on Sunday.
