Romano Fenati heads into Moto3 qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix as the clear favourite for pole position after topping final practice at Losail. The Italian was quickest in Thursday’s two practice sessions and although the field closed in on Friday night, the Sky Racing Team by VR6 rider remains the man to beat.
Fenati led for much of the session but the Honda riders finally began to show their hand in the closing minutes as Alex Marquez took over with a 2:06.273. Efren Vazquez was looking dangerous too on his Racing Team Germany Honda but the Spaniard hit trouble as he negotiated his way through traffic, losing control after contact with Hafiq Azmi and tumbling at turn six.
Estrella Galicia continued to show promising pace with Alex Rins snatching the fastest time seconds after Fenati had done so but a 2:06.121 ensured Romano would take the honours for the third session out of three. Rins and Marquez claimed a 2-3 for Emilio Alzamora’s Honda-backed outfit while Jack Miller took fourth for Red Bull KTM Ajo, just 0.159s off the pace.
Jakub Kornfeil remains a real contender for the podium this weekend after taking fifth while John McPhee took advantage of a slipstream from Danny Kent to snatch sixth. Alexis Masbou was seventh fastest ahead of Francesco Bagnaia and leading rookie Karel Hanika while Kent completed the top ten for Husqvarna.
