Marini fastest after second India practice

Luca Marini topped Friday’s second practice session at India’s MotoGP debut at the Buddh International Circuit.
The Italian, who rides a Ducati for VR46 Racing, lapped the Buddh circuit in one minute, 44.782 seconds, which was 0.008sec ahead of Jorge Martin on a Pramac Ducati and 0.051sec in front of Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro.
Marini, who claimed his first MotoGP podium at the Americas GP in April, stands seventh in the 2023 overall championship standings led by fellow Italian Franceso Bagnaia.
Reigning world champion Bagnaia, on a factory Ducati, was 15th after the morning practice but put in a better run in the second session to come in seventh. In MotoGP, the 10 quickest riders in practice take part in the final qualifying session today for the first 12 places on the grid.
They are joined by the two fastest riders from the first qualifying session, which sets spots 13 to 22.
Marco Bezzecchi topped the morning practice but finished fifth after the second session on one minute, 45.202sec.
Tony Arbolino (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) clocked one minute, 52.1050 seconds on his final lap to top Moto 2.
The competition for the top spot was fiercely contested between Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), his teammate Ai Ogura and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM). Throughout the practice sessions, they kept dethroning each other to rein at the top.
However, it was Arbolino who had the last laugh. Finally, Acosta finished second clocking one minute, 52.1700 seconds, while Ogura and Chantra settled at third and fourth with one minute, 52.1880 and one minute, 52.3190 seconds
Collin Veijer of Netherlands riding Liqui Moly Husqvarna topped the Moto3 standing in Practice 2 with a timing of one minute, 59.5660 seconds.
He was the only rider fastest in the category with timing under two minutes for most part of the second Practice Session, until Spanish rider Jaume Masia astride Leopard Racing clocked sub-two-minute with one minute, 59.7520 seconds in the last few minutes of the session to challenge Veijer.
Stefano Nepa, currently at the 9th position in overstanding, clocked two minutes, 00.1220 seconds for his third position.
India’s Kadai Yaseen Ahamed, wildcard entry representing Petronas, found himself out of time with his timing of two minutes, 06.0820 seconds.
India is hosting the 13th of the 20 MotoGP races scheduled for this season.
The Buddh track on the outskirts of capital New Delhi hosted Formula One for three seasons until 2013.
Riders have raised concerns about some corners and walls too close to the asphalt.
Top 10 times from the second practice session at the India MotoGP:
1. Luca Marini (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 1 min, 44.782sec, 2. Jorge Martin (ESP/Pramac Ducati) at 0.008sec, 3. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 0.051, 4. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 0.335, 5. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 0.420, 6. Maverick Viñales (ESP/Aprilia) 0.431, 7. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 0.498, 8. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) 0.509, 9. Johann Zarco (FRA/Pramac Ducati) 0.523, 10. Joan Mir (ESP/Honda) 0.550