MotoGP Thailand FP1 LIVE: we’re off to a good start in Buriram!

Suspense increases as the Thai Grand Prix approaches at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) are only separated by 20 small points in the fight for the 2024 MotoGP world champion title, while 111 are still potentially to be registered.

More than a simple Excel table, our graph allows you to immediately see the highlights of the current season, with in particular the breakaway of the two main contenders for the title, even if mathematically Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) et
Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) are still in the race.

Total uncertainty, therefore, concerning the final order of the first four places, the peloton being led by two future teammates, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM
Factory Racing) et Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who are now fighting only for runners-up.

For the rest, just look at the table, while noting that, on the French side, for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team) the improvement observed on the edge of the Adriatic is having a little difficulty in increasing (patience, patience…), while
Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) has remained in the top 15 for six GPs now.

To write the eighteenth chapter of this 2024 MotoGP season, it will be necessary to cover the 4,554 meter route 13 times during the Sprint on Saturday (i.e. 59.15 km) and complete 26 loops (118.4 km) on Sunday, on a track with a very complete layout, alternating heavy braking and fast curves, forcing Brembo to impose large carbon discs, and Michelin to “to increase the rigidity of the front tires by a notch, but also to strengthen the internal structure of the Hard compound. The rear tires were already in this configuration last year, and we are continuing them as is. »

Let's remember that the Chang International Circuit in Buriram has only hosted MotoGP on 4 occasions and, among the current full-time riders,
Marc Marquez holds the greatest number of victories (2xMotoGP™) ahead of Jorge Martin
(1xMotoGP™) et Miguel Oliveira (1xMotoGP™), while the riders with the greatest number of podiums in the premier category are Marc Marquez (2),
Maverick Viñales (2), Francesco Bagnaia (2), Miguel Oliveira (1),
Fabio Quartararo (1), Jack Miller
(1), Brad Binder (1) et Jorge
Martin (1).
Four of them have already started in pole position, chronologically Marc Marquez (1), Fabio Quartararo (1), Marco Bezzecchi (1) et
Jorge Martin (1).

The records are set in 1'29.287 (Jorge
Martin) in 2023, and 337.5 km/h for the speed (Johann Zarco) in 2021, much less quickly than at Phillip Island despite the 1000 meter straight, due to the high speeds already reached at the exit of the Australian parabolic.

Last year, Jorge Martin won the GP ahead Francesco Bagnaia et Brad Binderwhile
Jorge Martin, Brad Binder and Luca Marini got on the Sprint podium.

For the 18th round of a season which includes 20, you will have to get up early, or go to bed late, and expect generally good weather on Friday and Saturday, a little less so on Sunday…
Note the very mild temperatures.

On the pilot side, Lorenzo Savadori continues to replace Miguel Oliveira injured at Trackhouse Racing, Fabio Di Giannantonio participates in his last GP before having surgery on his left shoulder, and Pedro Acosta will have to go through the medical box after this FP1.

While waiting to discover more, as the 22 drivers prepare for this first 45-minute free practice session, under a clear sky with morning temperatures of 30° in the air and 47° on the ground, let's take advantage of these few live moments thanks to the official MotoGP.com website:

Here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.

When the red lights go out…

Results of Free Practice 1 of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram:

Ranking credit: MotoGP.com

MotoGP Thailand FP1

MotoGP Thailand FP1