Aragon MotoGP, Zandvoort DTM, Ricard FR3.5, Silverstone BTCC
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FR3.5 - Paul Ricard: Jaafar is back on Merhi's case in the battle for third, and the Spaniard is having to defend fiercely.
We're not seeing many of the leaders coming in for an early stop - probably because tyre degradation has been higher than expected this weekend so nobody wants to risk a long final stint.
We're not seeing many of the leaders coming in for an early stop - probably because tyre degradation has been higher than expected this weekend so nobody wants to risk a long final stint.
BTCC - Silverstone: Tordoff, on the softer tyres, is starting to fall away from the top three, but Menu is not attacking him at the moment.
Collard dives by Austin at Becketts to take eighth.
Collard dives by Austin at Becketts to take eighth.
FR3.5 - Paul Ricard: The pitstop window is open, and Rowland is the first frontrunner to come in.
He was down a left-rear tyre for today following yesterday's puncture, so maybe his lack of pace in that first stint was down to using the older replacement tyre for those early laps so he can complete the bulk of the race on the fresher one now he's pitted to change rears.
He was down a left-rear tyre for today following yesterday's puncture, so maybe his lack of pace in that first stint was down to using the older replacement tyre for those early laps so he can complete the bulk of the race on the fresher one now he's pitted to change rears.
BTCC - Silverstone: That's a shame: Morgan's Mercedes slows and pulls off. He was the one man making progress in that front pack.
FR3.5 - Paul Ricard: Gasly has got himself back under control after those manic opening laps, but he's still losing ground to Sainz out front.
However, the second Red Bull junior is stretching away (just) from Merhi, who is doing the same to Jaafar.
Behind them, Rowland has Sirotkin and Vaxiviere for company in a battle for fifth.
However, the second Red Bull junior is stretching away (just) from Merhi, who is doing the same to Jaafar.
Behind them, Rowland has Sirotkin and Vaxiviere for company in a battle for fifth.
BTCC - Silverstone: Nice move from Morgan at Becketts on Smith to take sixth. Plato still leads from Turkington.
Moto2 - Aragon: Kallio gets back ahead of 2015 team-mate Morbidelli for sixth, but with Rabat looking reasonably safe in second - despite pursuer Zarco's best efforts - the Finn's title hopes are continuing to decline.
Vinales continues to lead, 2.4s clear with six laps left.
Vinales continues to lead, 2.4s clear with six laps left.
FR3.5 - Paul Ricard: Sainz is streaking away, while Gasly has several cars for company. He fends off three attacks from Jaafar - including a fantastic attempt around the outside at Signes - and Merhi pounces on the Malaysian to snatch third.
Sainz is nearly 5s clear of this fight already, and it's only lap three.
Sainz is nearly 5s clear of this fight already, and it's only lap three.
Moto2 - Aragon: Rabat may be poised to extend his points lead, but winning this race looks tougher - Vinales answers the title favourite's charge with some new fastest times of his own, maintaining his lead at 2.5s with eight laps left.
BTCC - Silverstone: The top seven are covered by 1.6s, with Plato leading Turkington, Jackson, Tordoff, Menu, Smith and Morgan.
Lights out
FR3.5 - Paul Ricard: Cracking getaway from Sainz, who pounces on polesitter Gasly and swoops into the lead into Turn 1.
Gasly goes off at the first right/left, but slots into second between Sainz and a fast-starting Jaafar.
Merhi gains a place to run fourth, while Rowland is up to fifth from eighth on the grid.
Gasly goes off at the first right/left, but slots into second between Sainz and a fast-starting Jaafar.
Merhi gains a place to run fourth, while Rowland is up to fifth from eighth on the grid.
Moto2 - Aragon: Rabat moves past Zarco into second, 2.6s behind Vinales - and immediately sets new fastest sector times as he begins chasing down the leader.
And Kallio is going backwards, meanwhile, falling to seventh as Luthi starts moving forwards.
So this isn't turning into a great day title-wise for Kallio, but he has at least secured a new job. He'll be joining Italtrans - which currently runs Morbidelli and Julian Simon - next year after losing his Marc VDS place to the incoming Alex Marquez.
And Kallio is going backwards, meanwhile, falling to seventh as Luthi starts moving forwards.
So this isn't turning into a great day title-wise for Kallio, but he has at least secured a new job. He'll be joining Italtrans - which currently runs Morbidelli and Julian Simon - next year after losing his Marc VDS place to the incoming Alex Marquez.
BTCC - Silverstone: Plato dives neatly by Turkington into Brooklands to take the lead on lap three.
Lights out
BTCC - Silverstone: Turkington jumps Plato at the start as Mat Jackson slots into third.
MotoGP - Aragon: If you're just joining us and think this Moto2 race is a running a bit late, you're correct.
The Aragon morning got off to a one-hour-late start due to fog prior to the warm-ups, but the schedule has been compacted with the aim of getting the full Moto3 and Moto2 races in before an on-time MotoGP start at 2pm local time.
That's going to be doable provided the Moto2 field doesn't do anything too untidy in their remaining 12 laps.
The Aragon morning got off to a one-hour-late start due to fog prior to the warm-ups, but the schedule has been compacted with the aim of getting the full Moto3 and Moto2 races in before an on-time MotoGP start at 2pm local time.
That's going to be doable provided the Moto2 field doesn't do anything too untidy in their remaining 12 laps.
FR3.5 - Paul Ricard: Almost time for the off here, but here's a quick chance to catch up on what happened in yesterday's race:
DTM - Zandvoort: With just over half an hour until race start, let's have a look at the starting grid and the tyre choices:
1 Rockenfeller (Audi) OPTION
2 Wittmann (BMW) OPTION
3 Green (Audi) OPTION
4 Muller (Audi) OPTION
5 Wehrlein (Mercedes) OPTION
6 Tomczyk (BMW) OPTION
7 Hand (BMW) OPTION
8 Ekstrom (Audi) STANDARD
9 Molina (Audi) STANDARD
10 Paffett (Mercedes) OPTION
11 Tambay (Audi) OPTION
12 Di Resta (Mercedes) OPTION
13 Glock (BMW) OPTION
14 Spengler (BMW) STANDARD
15 Scheider (Audi) OPTION
16 Martin (BMW) STANDARD
17 Vietoris (Mercedes) STANDARD
18 Da Costa (BMW) OPTION
19 Farfus (BMW) STANDARD
20 Wickens (Mercedes) STANDARD
21 Juncadella (Mercedes) STANDARD
22 Petrov (Mercedes) STANDARD
23 Mortara (Audi) OPTION
1 Rockenfeller (Audi) OPTION
2 Wittmann (BMW) OPTION
3 Green (Audi) OPTION
4 Muller (Audi) OPTION
5 Wehrlein (Mercedes) OPTION
6 Tomczyk (BMW) OPTION
7 Hand (BMW) OPTION
8 Ekstrom (Audi) STANDARD
9 Molina (Audi) STANDARD
10 Paffett (Mercedes) OPTION
11 Tambay (Audi) OPTION
12 Di Resta (Mercedes) OPTION
13 Glock (BMW) OPTION
14 Spengler (BMW) STANDARD
15 Scheider (Audi) OPTION
16 Martin (BMW) STANDARD
17 Vietoris (Mercedes) STANDARD
18 Da Costa (BMW) OPTION
19 Farfus (BMW) STANDARD
20 Wickens (Mercedes) STANDARD
21 Juncadella (Mercedes) STANDARD
22 Petrov (Mercedes) STANDARD
23 Mortara (Audi) OPTION
Moto2 - Aragon: More presents for Vinales: now Aegerter and Zarco are going knuckle-to-knuckle for second, and his lead is up to 2.3s.
The second place battle is growing as they dice too, with Franco Morbidelli and Luthi getting involved as well.
It's all bad news for Kallio, who's down to sixth behind Morbidelli while title rival Rabat is back into fourth.
The second place battle is growing as they dice too, with Franco Morbidelli and Luthi getting involved as well.
It's all bad news for Kallio, who's down to sixth behind Morbidelli while title rival Rabat is back into fourth.
FR3.5 - Paul Ricard: As the French officials put their whistles to good use to start clearing the grid, here's how the top 10 lines up:
1 Gasly
2 Sainz
3 Sirotkin
4 Jaafar
5 Merhi
6 Vaxiviere
7 Stockinger
8 Rowland
9 Nato
10 Ocon
1 Gasly
2 Sainz
3 Sirotkin
4 Jaafar
5 Merhi
6 Vaxiviere
7 Stockinger
8 Rowland
9 Nato
10 Ocon
Moto2 - Aragon: Rabat passes title rival and team-mate Kallio for second, they barge each other a bit and both go wide, allowing Aegerter through.
They then have another close call a few corners later, and that drops them to fourth and fifth - Rabat ahead - behind Zarco.
Until that moment, Vinales's lead was pretty tiny, but his pursuers trying to beat each other up has given him a 1.3s cushion.
They then have another close call a few corners later, and that drops them to fourth and fifth - Rabat ahead - behind Zarco.
Until that moment, Vinales's lead was pretty tiny, but his pursuers trying to beat each other up has given him a 1.3s cushion.
FR3.5 - Paul Ricard: While the home support will be focused on Gasly's bid for a first win, we also have title permutations to keep an eye on.
Sainz (starting P2) currently leads Merhi (starting P5) by 31 points, so the ex-DTM man needs to avoid a 19-point loss to stay in title contention heading to the finale at Jerez next month.
If Sainz wins, that means Merhi can finish no lower than seventh. Gasly is also bidding to stay in contention, but sitting 48 points adrift, he effectively has to beat Sainz today to keep that figure from rising to 50.
Sainz (starting P2) currently leads Merhi (starting P5) by 31 points, so the ex-DTM man needs to avoid a 19-point loss to stay in title contention heading to the finale at Jerez next month.
If Sainz wins, that means Merhi can finish no lower than seventh. Gasly is also bidding to stay in contention, but sitting 48 points adrift, he effectively has to beat Sainz today to keep that figure from rising to 50.
Black pasta at Zandvoort
DTM - Zandvoort: Hankook Pasta? The colour of lunch in the media centre turned a few people off, but it was actually quite delicious.
Moto2 - Aragon: Vinales slices inside Kallio to take the lead at the first corner as they begin lap five.
Vinales, last year's Moto3 champion, took his first Moto2 win in only his second start at Austin in April.
That raised hopes of a title challenge, which he hasn't managed to sustain, although he's still done enough to earn a Suzuki MotoGP deal for next year, despite some reservations about his readiness from current team boss Sito Pons.
Vinales, last year's Moto3 champion, took his first Moto2 win in only his second start at Austin in April.
That raised hopes of a title challenge, which he hasn't managed to sustain, although he's still done enough to earn a Suzuki MotoGP deal for next year, despite some reservations about his readiness from current team boss Sito Pons.
Moto2 - Aragon: Vinales is putting a lot of pressure on Kallio for the lead after three laps, while Rabat has moved up to fourth, with Zarco falling to fifth behind Dominique Aegerter.
BTCC - Silverstone: AUTOSPORT wonders if Turkington's points-leading WSR BMW will be safe starting between the two MGs! He did, after all, find himself off the road after a clash with Plato at Knockhill...
On the other hand, the fight between Plato and Jordan here last year was one of the season highlights.
On the other hand, the fight between Plato and Jordan here last year was one of the season highlights.
Green flag
FR3.5 - Paul Ricard: The pits are open here in France, 15 minutes until the start of the race.
Breaking news
Moto2 - Aragon: Jonas Folger vaulted from 12th to seventh at the start, but he jumped it in the process, so is getting a penalty.
Hopefully he'll notice it, after his adventure at Misano when he got a track limits penalty, missed or ignored it, and then got a black flag after eventually giving back the required position later than the officials wanted.
Hopefully he'll notice it, after his adventure at Misano when he got a track limits penalty, missed or ignored it, and then got a black flag after eventually giving back the required position later than the officials wanted.
Lights out
Moto2 - Aragon: After Rabat's recent win spree, Kallio has fallen 22 points behind his Marc VDS team-mate in the title race, so he needs a win today...
...and he does himself a big favour by bursting from third to first at the start, ahead of Vinales, Zarco and Rabat.
...and he does himself a big favour by bursting from third to first at the start, ahead of Vinales, Zarco and Rabat.
BTCC - Silverstone: The cars will be heading out shortly for race one, with title contenders Jason Plato and Colin Turkington on the front row.
Quite a few drivers electing to start on the soft Dunlop tyres for this one, including Sam Tordoff (Q3) and the rapid BMR VWs of Aron Smith (Q5), Alain Menu (Q6) and Jack Goff (Q13).
The struggling Hondas have done too, with Andrew Jordan, Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal all going for the softs, from 16th, 17th and 18th spots respectively.
Quite a few drivers electing to start on the soft Dunlop tyres for this one, including Sam Tordoff (Q3) and the rapid BMR VWs of Aron Smith (Q5), Alain Menu (Q6) and Jack Goff (Q13).
The struggling Hondas have done too, with Andrew Jordan, Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal all going for the softs, from 16th, 17th and 18th spots respectively.
FR3.5 - Paul Ricard: Less than half an hour to the start of race two here in France, and Red Bull junior Pierre Gasly is hoping to turn his first pole into a first win.
After finishing second to championship leader Carlos Sainz Jr in race one, Gasly declared "if we can find the pace in qualifying [to take pole] we'll be fine".
"All the time I'm really close but not enough to get a win," he said. "The main thing in this series is to get pole - then it is much easier. So that's been our focus."
Gasly shares the front row with fellow Red Bull charge Sainz, and you can read our full report from qualifying this morning by clicking here.
After finishing second to championship leader Carlos Sainz Jr in race one, Gasly declared "if we can find the pace in qualifying [to take pole] we'll be fine".
"All the time I'm really close but not enough to get a win," he said. "The main thing in this series is to get pole - then it is much easier. So that's been our focus."
Gasly shares the front row with fellow Red Bull charge Sainz, and you can read our full report from qualifying this morning by clicking here.
DTM - Zandvoort: It's been a strange weekend for support categories so far. With this being a replacement round for the failed plan to race in China, the DTM is sharing the bill with a historic race meeting. That means historic monoposto races (Formula Atlantic and Formula Ford), and the Vintage Revival (demonstration runs from all sorts of wacky old cars).
Still, you can't help but feel that the organisers missed a great chance to bring the backwards DAF races and caravan derbies back to Zandvoort. No idea what we mean? Check this out:
Still, you can't help but feel that the organisers missed a great chance to bring the backwards DAF races and caravan derbies back to Zandvoort. No idea what we mean? Check this out:
Moto2 - Aragon: The Moto2 field is on the grid now. Maverick Vinales has his first Moto2 pole - and will his 2015 Suzuki MotoGP deal be announced in the next few weeks?
Johann Zarco, riding for Tony Fernandes's Caterham team (yes, he still owns the two-wheeled version), starts second ahead of title contender Mika Kallio.
Points leader Tito Rabat is fifth, between Franco Morbidelli and Tom Luthi.
Johann Zarco, riding for Tony Fernandes's Caterham team (yes, he still owns the two-wheeled version), starts second ahead of title contender Mika Kallio.
Points leader Tito Rabat is fifth, between Franco Morbidelli and Tom Luthi.
DTM - Zandvoort: 'Goedemorgen' from deep within the Dutch sand dunes. We're here for the penultimate round of the DTM season.
With Marco Wittmann having already wrapped up the title there is a little less to play for this weekend, although the fight for second is well and truly alive. Currently it's Mercedes' Christian Vietoris fighting Audi drivers Mattias Ekstrom, Edoardo Mortara and Mike Rockenfeller for the vice champion spot. Here's how the top five looks:
1 Wittmann 128
2 Vietoris 59
3 Ekstrom 56
4 Mortara 56
5 Rockenfeller 54
After qualifying it is advantage Rockenfeller. The outgoing champ will start from pole while Vietoris managed just 17th on the grid, and Ekstrom and Mortara both got post-qualifying penalties.
Mattias Ekstrom given grid penalty
Edoardo Mortara handed grid penalty
With Marco Wittmann having already wrapped up the title there is a little less to play for this weekend, although the fight for second is well and truly alive. Currently it's Mercedes' Christian Vietoris fighting Audi drivers Mattias Ekstrom, Edoardo Mortara and Mike Rockenfeller for the vice champion spot. Here's how the top five looks:
1 Wittmann 128
2 Vietoris 59
3 Ekstrom 56
4 Mortara 56
5 Rockenfeller 54
After qualifying it is advantage Rockenfeller. The outgoing champ will start from pole while Vietoris managed just 17th on the grid, and Ekstrom and Mortara both got post-qualifying penalties.
Mattias Ekstrom given grid penalty
Edoardo Mortara handed grid penalty
Moto3 - Aragon: The Miller/Marquez collision is slightly overshadowing the breakthrough Fenati has made today.
It's been a rough few months for Rossi's protege, whose last three results were two 11th places and a 16th. Along the way, he's been re-signed by VR46 for 2015, but team boss Vito Guareschi has departed.
The Aragon win (from 13th on the grid!) brings him back up to fourth in the championship, although the 41-point gap to new leader Marquez will be tough to bridge in the remaining four rounds.
Championship standings after 14 of 18 rounds:
1 Alex Marquez 206
2 Jack Miller 195
3 Alex Rins 188
4 Romano Fenati 165
5 Efren Vazquez 154
6 Alexis Masbou 140
(25 points for a win)
Complete 2014 Moto3 stats on FORIX
It's been a rough few months for Rossi's protege, whose last three results were two 11th places and a 16th. Along the way, he's been re-signed by VR46 for 2015, but team boss Vito Guareschi has departed.
The Aragon win (from 13th on the grid!) brings him back up to fourth in the championship, although the 41-point gap to new leader Marquez will be tough to bridge in the remaining four rounds.
Championship standings after 14 of 18 rounds:
1 Alex Marquez 206
2 Jack Miller 195
3 Alex Rins 188
4 Romano Fenati 165
5 Efren Vazquez 154
6 Alexis Masbou 140
(25 points for a win)
Complete 2014 Moto3 stats on FORIX
Quote
BTCC - Silverstone: Motorbase team manager Oly Collins explains why Fabrizio Giovanardi has struggled so far this weekend, qualifying 19th compared to team-mate Mat Jackson's fourth.
"He had a diff problem in FP1, then we changed the set-up for FP2 and went too far," Collins told AUTOSPORT.
"In each session the car has been different and he probably over-drove in qualifying, which is understandable."
"He had a diff problem in FP1, then we changed the set-up for FP2 and went too far," Collins told AUTOSPORT.
"In each session the car has been different and he probably over-drove in qualifying, which is understandable."
Moto3 - Aragon: Given some of the furious reactions Miller has had to various blows over the course of the season, he's being relatively restrained as he describes today's incident with Marquez to TV crews in the paddock.
Let's wait and see what Race Direction comes up with penalty-wise, but based on precedent this year, any change to the result is very, very unlikely.
Let's wait and see what Race Direction comes up with penalty-wise, but based on precedent this year, any change to the result is very, very unlikely.
BTCC - Silverstone: Momentary drama as poleman Jason Plato initially fails the breath test. But it turns out that the figure is thrown out by the tomato sauce in his bacon roll!
Mouth cleaned, Plato scores a zero so is comfortably fit to race.
Mouth cleaned, Plato scores a zero so is comfortably fit to race.
MotoGP - Aragon: Here's a welcome sight: the Aragon organisers are mixing things up with a model of each gender on the podium to assist with handing out trophies.
Moto3 - Aragon: Valentino Rossi leads the congratulations as his boy Fenati celebrates in parc ferme.
Checkered flag
Moto3 - Aragon - results:
1 Romano Fenati
2 Alex Marquez +0.057s
3 Danny Kent
4 Alex Rins
5 Jakub Kornfeil
6 Enea Bastianini
7 Miguel Oliveira
8 Brad Binder
9 Niccolo Antonelli
10 Alexis Masbou
1 Romano Fenati
2 Alex Marquez +0.057s
3 Danny Kent
4 Alex Rins
5 Jakub Kornfeil
6 Enea Bastianini
7 Miguel Oliveira
8 Brad Binder
9 Niccolo Antonelli
10 Alexis Masbou
By: AUTOSPORT staff, Kevin Turner, Andrew van Leeuwen, Glenn Freeman, Matt Beer, Pablo Elizalde, Dan Cross
Published:
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