An eventful Q2 session at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) this afternoon saw Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales secure second place on the grid for the Grand Prix of The Americas. However, he is set to gain a starting position for the race tomorrow, as Race Direction has decided to move Marc Marquez back three spots, as a penalty for compromising one of Viñales’ hot laps.
First place start for Maverick Viñales after eventful Austin qualifying
Viñales gave the majority of the Q2 riders a head start to ensure himself of some clear space on track. His first lap put him in fourth place, but he wasn’t satisfied with his soft rear tyre and headed straight back into the pits with more than seven minutes to go.
He soon went back out, this time on a medium rear tyre. He was in eighth position, but he knew he had the speed to turn things around. He put his head down and was on a potential pole lap until he was held up by Marc Marquez. On his next try he moved up from tenth to second place, with a 2’04.064s. He held on this position after the flag came out and finished 0.406s from first. However, due to Race Direction’s decision after Q2, Viñales will start tomorrow’s race from first position on the grid.
Maverick Viñales:
“For sure I’m very satisfied. It’s been a long time since I was on the first row. I think tomorrow we can do a great race. I felt really good with the tyres, especially the rear. I think that tomorrow we still have a little room to improve. Race by race I’m finding my own bike, my own style, and I still have a margin to push more. I’m quite happy and tomorrow we’re going to try to be even faster. I’m very much focused on tomorrow. We had great pace in FP4 and we have to keep pushing. I think fighting for the victory will be difficult, but not impossible. I feel good and I feel good on the bike, so let’s see. I think between today and tomorrow we can make another step.”
