More from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo:
Triple 100: A record-breaking Sunday for Ducati Corse who, in Ducati’s centenary year, reach the milestone of 100 MotoGP victories with the factory team at Balaton Park.
- Marc Márquez scores his 100th Grand Prix win, while Francesco Bagnaia steps onto the podium in third
The Ducati Lenovo Team completed the perfect weekend at Balaton Park by securing their 100th MotoGP victory courtesy of Marc Márquez, who in turn claimed his 100th Grand Prix win (his 74th in MotoGP). Francesco Bagnaia rounded out the podium in third position.
Márquez got a good launch from pole position but lost the lead on lap two. From lap six onwards, Marc gradually closed the gap to Acosta before overtaking him — after several attempts — on lap fifteen, then pulling away to secure his first Sunday victory of the season. After avoiding the turn-one incident, Bagnaia made his way up to third place during the opening lap and then managed the situation intelligently to secure his third consecutive Grand Prix podium.
As the eighth Grand Prix of the season draws to a close, Marc Márquez is fifth in the championship standings with 108 points. Francesco Bagnaia is seventh, nine points behind his teammate. The Ducati Lenovo Team is second in the teams’ standings (207 points), while Ducati sits second in the constructors’ championship (225 points).
The Ducati Lenovo Team will be back in action on Friday, June 19th, for the opening day of the Grand Prix of Czechia at Brno.
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st: “We did an incredible job. The secret, in my opinion, was managing the effort on Friday: this allowed me to get to Saturday, and especially today, in the best possible shape. Obviously, I gave it everything today and luckily the choice of the medium tyre paid off in the closing stages, otherwise it would have been a lot harder. Now we’ll see how things go at Brno and Assen because, once again, things went better here due to the higher number of left-handers. This win came after a challenging period of surgeries and recovery, but it was worth it. As always, we need to stay positive and continue along this recovery path.”
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 3rd: “The first goal for today was to get a better start. Luckily, when I released the clutch, the rear tyre spun slightly; otherwise, I would have been caught up in the turn-one incident as well. I managed to overtake Moreira and Marini straight away and then tried to stay with Pedro (Acosta), but I wasn’t able to match their lap times as I continued to struggle with grip. When they started to push harder, I focused on managing my margin over the riders behind. The podium is a good result, especially after the difficult start to the weekend, as it allowed us to score some important points. We need to keep working ahead of the upcoming races on bike stability in the changes of direction as well as on grip.”
Luigi Dall’Igna – Ducati Corse General Manager: “No words can describe what Marc was able to achieve today. I’m emotionally exhausted, as I was expecting a much calmer race, but obviously I’m also extremely happy for him and the team. He’s a true champion. This is Marc’s 100th Grand Prix win as well as the Ducati Lenovo Team’s 100th MotoGP victory; we couldn’t have asked for more. Now it’s time to celebrate this success before turning our attention to Brno.”
More from a press release issued by Honda HRC:
Equal best Honda result for Marini after wild Turn 1 in Hungary.
Drama at Turn 1 meant the race was wide open, Luca Marini and Joan Mir quickly inserting themselves right into the mix for the podium battle. Marini walked away with his equal best Honda result in fifth place while Mir fell after contact with another rider.
The only thing hotter than the conditions in Hungary was the action into Turn 1 as the lights went out and a multiple rider crash sent many of the race favourites down. Taking avoiding action, both Honda HRC Castrol riders escaped any damage and were instantly promoted into the mix for the podium.
Luca Marini’s trademark cool primed him to take advantage of the early drama of others, the Italian locking in and chasing down Jack Miller in the opening laps. By mid-race, the Italian was through and set his sights on closing down the sizable gap to Bagnaia in third, able to slowly chip away. Attentions would soon turn to a fast-approaching Ai Ogura who was hot on the heels of Marini in the closing stages of the race. Eventually getting past, Marini managed to equal his best result as a Honda HRC rider in fifth place.
An important result which moves the #10 to just seven points behind Aldeguer and a top ten position in the World Championship. This is Marini’s third fifth place result on the Honda RC213V.
Like his Honda HRC Castrol teammate, Joan Mir was a benefactor of the misfortune of others and found himself well inside the top ten. Chasing down his fellow Honda riders, an incident with Enea Bastianini unsettled the #36 who managed to regroup. Unfortunately, there was more damage than expected and a strange fall would end Mir’s race as he was sitting comfortably in eighth just behind Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira. He was unharmed in the fall.
After two busy back-to-back races in Mugello and Balaton Park, the Honda HRC Castrol team will now have some brief respite before another double-header in Brno and Assen arrive.
Luca Marini: “This was another dramatic race, always you risk a lot into Turn 1 and fortunately this time I was able to gain something – I hope all the other riders are OK. Overnight we made some setup changes which improved the bike and our race was good, of course we were helped by the situation at the start to gain some positions, but I think we could have made up some ground anyway. I tried everything I could to get back past Ogura at the end, but I couldn’t quite manage it. Still some good points in the championship overall so we must focus on this and come back strong in the next two races.”
Joan Mir: “What a race! I think my footpeg got damaged when I had the contact with Enea but we need to check the exact cause. I was comfortable behind Diogo managing the front tyre pressure, so it came as a bit of a surprise. It’s a shame because I think today there was the possibility obviously to get a really nice result after all of the drama at the start of the race. I am OK which is the most important. The good point of the weekend is that we were able to confirm a couple of points from the past that we had some doubts about with the setup so we can now enter the second half of the year with a clearer idea about a few things.”
More from a press release issued by Pro Honda LCR:
Pro Honda LCR rider Diogo Moreira finished 6th on Sunday at Balaton Park.
- Starting from 11th on the grid, the Brazilian rider made a strong launch and immediately joined the battle for the top three positions.
- Moreira executed several impressive overtakes throughout the 26-lap race, setting a competitive pace and delivering a consistent performance from start to finish.
- He eventually crossed the line in 6th place, securing his best MotoGP result to date and once again showcasing the remarkable potential he has displayed throughout his rookie season.
More from a press release issued by BK8 Gresini Racing:
Iker Lecuona shines, Fermin Aldeguer would have wanted to.
- RACE DAY
FERMIN ALDEGUER NC
IKER LECUONA 7º
- WORLD STANDING
9º – ALEX MARQUEZ (67 points)
10º – FERMIN ALDEGUER (64 points)
21º – IKER LECUONA (9 Points)
Iker Lecuona: “It was an incredible weekend with a team that welcomed me in a fantastic way. We worked well, had fun, and brought home a great result. Despite the many mistakes during the race, we found excellent feeling with the bike, especially towards the end, and that’s where I really pushed. I wanted to catch my friend Moreira, but it’s fine like this. A huge thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to be here this weekend. It wasn’t a given that we would be this fast.”
Fermin Aldeguer: “Honestly, I don’t really have much to say. In the end, the most important thing is that I didn’t get hurt, and I hope no other rider had any issues either. It was a weekend where I felt good and where we definitely could have aimed high, but you also need a bit of luck. Now it’s time to go home and rest.”
More from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
Mixed Fortunes for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP in Hungarian GP Race.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Álex Rins pushed for points in today’s Grand Prix of Hungary MotoGP Race, finishing in P13. Fabio Quartararo had a difficult day at the office, retiring from the 26-lap contest on lap 23.
Pushing all the way in the 26-lap Grand Prix of Hungary MotoGP Race, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Álex Rins rode from P20 on the grid to P13 at the finish line. It was a day to forget for teammate Fabio Quartararo, who retired from the race with 4 laps to go.
Starting from P20, Rins emerged in P14 from a multi-rider pile-up in Turn 1. Overtaking his teammate on lap 9 and with Joan Mir crashing on lap 15, the number 42 rider was circulating in P12. The Spaniard focused on his rhythm and defending his position but was pipped at the post by Fabio Di Giannantonio. Rins finished in P13, 29.207s from first.
Quartararo commenced from P15 and moved up as high as P6 after the multi-rider-crash chaos in Turn 1. However, he couldn’t successfully defend his position and gradually dropped down the order due to an issue with the rear. He battled with Franco Mobidelli on lap 19 to keep hold of P13. However, El Diablo was given two separate long-lap penalties for taking short-cuts. After completing them he opted to retire from the race.
Today’s results see Quartararo keep 15th place in the championship standings with 37 points and Rins stays in 19th with 12 points. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP are in 10th position in the team classifications with 49 points, and Yamaha is 5th in the constructor rankings with 49 points.
The team will be back in action in two weeks’ time at the Automotodrom Brno for the Grand Prix of Czechia, held from 19-21 June.
Alex Rins: “I did a great start – the same as yesterday – but as soon as I saw the bike of Jorge [Martin] starting to move, I tried to reduce the speed a bit more. I couldn’t do so much because there were some guys around me. It was a long race but, in general, I made a step forward compared to yesterday.”
Fabio Quartararo: “Because of what happened in Turn 1, I was just behind Jack [Miller] and the position was not bad. But straight away I felt that something was wrong with the rear. I kept trying, but I was losing positions. I was going wide and to the gravel a few times. The team is looking into what happened.”
Massimo Meregalli: “It was a tough Grand Prix for us overall. Álex avoided the chaos at the start and that moved him up the order. It was a long race for him, but he did feel more comfortable with the bike than yesterday. It was a disappointing race for Fabio. He made a strong start and initially capitalised on the Turn 1 incident, but he struggled to maintain his position due to an issue with the rear impacting his performance. We expect that the sensations he felt may have been caused by the medium rear tyre that, due to today’s track conditions and circumstances, did not suit our bike. It caused him to get two long lap penalties and ultimately led to the decision to retire from the race.”
More from a press release issued by Prima Pramac Yamaha:
Double points finish for Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP as progress continues at Balaton.
Jack Miller finishes eighth and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu eleventh at the Balaton Grand Prix, securing the team’s strongest combined result of the season and further confirming the growing competitiveness of the Yamaha YZR-M1 package.
Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP continued its positive trajectory at the Balaton Grand Prix, with both riders delivering strong performances and securing a double points finish in what proved to be the team’s most competitive weekend of the season so far.
An incident involving several riders at Turn 1 on the opening lap reshuffled the field, but both Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu immediately capitalised on the opportunity and established themselves inside the points-paying positions. From that moment on, both riders produced determined and intelligent races, successfully defending their places against constant pressure from the riders behind.
Miller delivered one of his strongest performances of the year, combining pace, consistency and racecraft to cross the line in eighth position. Razgatlıoğlu was equally impressive, continuing the progress shown throughout the weekend and fighting hard throughout the race to secure eleventh place.
Beyond the final classification, the result provides further confirmation of the development steps made by Yamaha and the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team in recent months. On a circuit expected to suit the strengths of the YZR-M1, both riders were able to race competitively within the group and convert that potential into the team’s best combined result of the season.
Jack Miller: “It was a decent race for us and I feel we got the maximum out of what we had available today. We managed to stay out of trouble at the start and put ourselves in a position to fight for points right from the opening laps. From there, it was all about managing the race as well as possible. I had to be quite careful with the rear tyre, especially on corner exit, and spent much of the race trying to protect the soft tyre and make sure it lasted until the chequered flag. We were still missing a little bit compared to some of the riders around us, particularly when accelerating out of the corners, but overall it was a stronger weekend and another step in the right direction for us. Now the focus shifts to Brno. It will present different challenges, including a couple of long straights, but we‘ll keep working hard and try to make the most of the strengths we have shown in recent races.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu: “Overall, this was my best weekend so far in MotoGP. Finishing eleventh is a positive result, but more importantly I felt that I had the pace to fight even closer to the top ten. During the race I spent almost all my time in a group with other riders. The problem is that when I catch them, it is still very difficult for me to overtake because we lose too much on the straights. I can stay with them through the corners, but making the pass is another story. We also made a small adjustment to the engine brake during the race because I was experiencing too much rear locking. It helped in some areas, but in others I lost some of the feeling I needed on corner entry, particularly in Turn 5, where I made a few mistakes. Even so, the pace was strong until the end of the race and the feeling with the bike continues to improve. We have made another step forward this weekend, and that gives me confidence that we can continue moving closer to the riders ahead in the coming races.”
Gino Borsoi – Team Director: “It was a very positive weekend for the team. Both yesterday and today, our riders delivered strong performances and achieved important results, which is a great reward for all the work being done by the team and Yamaha. At the beginning of the weekend, we felt that Balaton could be a circuit suited to the characteristics of the YZR-M1, and that proved to be the case. The layout allowed us to better exploit some of the strengths of the package, and both riders were able to show competitive pace throughout the event. From a chassis and electronics perspective, we are no longer far from our rivals. In certain areas and situations, we are already able to compete at a very similar level, which is an encouraging sign considering where we started the season. The progress is evident. We know there are still areas where we need to improve, but weekends like this confirm that we are moving in the right direction. When further performance arrives, the combination of these riders and this bike has the potential to take another significant step forward.”
More from a press release issued by Tech3:
Bastianini battles adversity for ninth in eventful Balaton Bow.
Enea Bastianini avoided an early multi-rider collision and overcame two Long Lap Penalties to claim a hard-fought ninth place in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix, while Maverick Viñales picked up a point for 15th despite receiving both a Long Lap and tyre pressure penalty.
As ambient temperatures hit 29 degrees ahead of the race start, rear tyre choice was something of a question mark. Both Bastianini and Viñales were confident they could manage Michelin’s soft rear compound over 26 laps, even if nine other riders opted for the medium.
The start was chaotic as five riders were caught up in a multi-bike collision caused at Turn 1. Thankfully, both Red Bull KTM Tech3 runners made it through safely, with Bastianini gaining six places from his grid position of 14th on the first lap.
‘La Bestia’ was soon involved in a multi-rider fight for fourth. Quick moves on Fabio Quartararo on lap three and Diogo Moreira on lap four meant he was in sixth and eyeing that fourth place, before a wobble exiting the final corner affected the Italian’s braking for Turn 1 of lap six.
As well as losing a position, Bastianini had contact with Joan Mir when returning to the racing line, which earned him a Long Lap Penalty. He then had to repeat the penalty for cutting the track at Turn 16. Rejoining in twelfth, the #23 rider was soon back in the fight for seventh and battled until the end. A neat move on Brad Binder at the race’s final corner earned him ninth place.
Viñales was also handed a Long Lap Penalty early in the race due to cutting the track at Turn 10. Rejoining in 16th with clear track ahead, ‘Top Gun’ continued to adapt his riding style to this year’s KTM RC16 in his third race since returning from injury. There were clear signs of progress when he set the ninth fastest lap of the race on lap 16.
After coming home 15th, he was handed a 16-second penalty due to his front tyre pressure being lower than the parameters advised by the official supplier – a likely consequence of riding alone after his Long Lap.
After a hectic run of races, Bastianini and Viñales can now enjoy a well-deserved break before the Grand Prix of Czechia in Brno from 19-21 June.
Enea Bastianini: “It was a strange race. When I saw the incident at Turn 1, I thought there might be a red flag. But we continued and I was well placed, fighting for a good result. Then I arrived in Turn 1 without any brakes after the bike was shaking coming out of the last corner. I went straight on and when I came back on the racing line, I saw Joan very late. There was some contact and I was given a Long Lap.
“After I tried to recover but cut the chicane. I lost the position to Toprak (Razgatlioglu) and tried to lose one second, but I probably didn’t. So, I had to do another Long Lap! After that, it was a crazy race, and it was very difficult to overtake the other riders ahead. The grip was lower than yesterday, and the wind changed through the race. When I was alone my lap times were good, and that’s important. I managed to overtake Brad in the last corner for ninth. I’m not happy because I didn’t achieve my full potential today, but we’ll go again in Brno.”
Maverick Viñales: “There were parts of the race which were quite good, and I could ride in the low 1’39s. That was the target. We were quite quick without gaining many positions. At this moment, I’m still trying to understand how to go fast with this bike, but I felt we could do that over the course of the race. Somehow when I was alone, I could brake late and deep and the lap time was coming. Toward the end of the race, I was behind (Franco) Morbidelli. I had to brake a little earlier and the bike didn’t want to stop – I really had to put the load into the front.
“The feeling I have is you have to ride the bike at the limit all the time on the brakes, and you must push over the limit physically. Still, I don’t quite have the strength to do that. I think I’ll be in a good physical condition soon. The week off will help me build up more strength.”
Nicolas Goyon, Team Manager: “There’s a bit of a bitter taste with Enea’s race. He finished inside the top nine, which is a strong result considering he started in 14th, but he had to serve two Long Lap Penalties. Without those, he would’ve fought for the top five, which was our target for the race today. I want to keep the positives of the weekend, which was Enea had strong pace since Friday. We must keep this in mind and carry this good feeling to the next race in Brno.
“On the other side of the garage, Maverick scored one point. It’s been another difficult weekend for him, but after some deep analysis with his team, he improved his pace through the weekend. He had the ninth fastest lap of the race, which is quite a decent result. Of course, his position is not what we’re aiming for, but we believe the next race will be another step for him. Let’s pack up everything and head to Brno, where we hope to improve on this weekend’s results.”
More from a press release issued by Aprilia Racing:
Black Sunday for Aprilia Racing at Balaton Park. Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin out on the first corner.
It was a Sunday to forget for Aprilia Racing in the long race at Balaton Park, with both riders out on the first corner.
Starting from the sixth spot on the grid, Marco Bezzecchi was involved in a crash triggered by Jorge Martín. After starting from the eighth spot, the Spanish rider lost control of his bike braking on turn 1, colliding with his teammate and Raúl Fernández of SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team, as well as Fabio Di Giannantonio and Fermín Aldeguer. The episode compromised the race for three Aprilia riders just a few seconds after the start.
Regarding Marco Bezzecchi, medical checks have shown no visible fractures, he only has contusions on his right leg and hand.
Regarding Jorge Martin, medical checks have shown no visible fractures, he only has contusions on his back and his right foot. Subsequent to the accident, Martín was also sanctioned with a double long-lap penalty that he will have to carry out during the upcoming Grand Prix in Brno.
The positive note of the day comes from SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team, with Ai Ogura finishing fourth after a comeback ride.
More from a press release issued by Castrol Honda LCR:
Castrol Honda LCR replacement rider Cal Crutchlow finished 16th on Sunday at Balaton Park.
- Starting from 22nd on the grid and determined to make the most of Sunday’s race, the British rider got off to a strong start.
- On one of the most demanding layouts on the calendar, Crutchlow pushed hard to close the gap to the group ahead while maintaining a consistent pace throughout the race.
- Improving session after session over the weekend, Crutchlow crossed the finish line in 16th place, narrowly missing out on the points and collecting valuable data for the team.
