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Moto3 - Jerez: First up race-wise today at Jerez it's Moto3.
A big milestone last time out in Argentina, where Valentino Rossi's new VR46 team took its maiden win with Italian rising star Romano Fenati - but only after he barged both Alex Marquez and Jack Miller at the final corner.
That stopped championship leader Miller's winning streak, and left the Aussie furious. But he's bounced back with pole this time, while Fenati is only 10th on the grid.
Starting grid:
1 Jack Miller
2 Niccolo Antonelli
3 Alex Rins
4 Isaac Vinales
5 Alex Marquez
6 Francesco Bagnaia
7 Efren Vazquez
8 Niklas Ajo
9 John McPhee
10 Romano Fenati
A big milestone last time out in Argentina, where Valentino Rossi's new VR46 team took its maiden win with Italian rising star Romano Fenati - but only after he barged both Alex Marquez and Jack Miller at the final corner.
That stopped championship leader Miller's winning streak, and left the Aussie furious. But he's bounced back with pole this time, while Fenati is only 10th on the grid.
Starting grid:
1 Jack Miller
2 Niccolo Antonelli
3 Alex Rins
4 Isaac Vinales
5 Alex Marquez
6 Francesco Bagnaia
7 Efren Vazquez
8 Niklas Ajo
9 John McPhee
10 Romano Fenati
European F3 - Hockenheim: Doesn't look good for Max Verstappen. He seems to have stopped on his out-lap from the dummy grid. Is the polesitter out before the race has even begun?
Dusan Borkovic
WTCC - Hungaroring: Dusan Borkovic will be allowed to start today's WTCC doube-header from the rear of the grid. The Serbian lost his Q1 and Q2 qualifying times when his Campos Chevrolet failed a ground clearance check.
Crash
MotoGP - Jerez: One major incident to report from the warm-up: Ioda's Danilo Petrucci crashed and has fractured his left wrist, which rules him out of today's race.
MotoGP - Jerez: Marc Marquez may have continued his pole streak in yesterday's qualifying session (by a healthy margin), but he had to push very hard to do it as he is convinced the competition is closer at Jerez this weekend.
The warm-up seemed to underline this, as Jorge Lorenzo set a 1m38.983s and his longer-run pace on the Yamaha was as scorching as the weather is set to be.
Marquez was second, ahead of Valentino Rossi, Stefan Bradl and Dani Pedrosa.
Expect a four-way fight between the two works Hondas and two works Yamahas this afternoon, all four look quick enough to win.
The warm-up seemed to underline this, as Jorge Lorenzo set a 1m38.983s and his longer-run pace on the Yamaha was as scorching as the weather is set to be.
Marquez was second, ahead of Valentino Rossi, Stefan Bradl and Dani Pedrosa.
Expect a four-way fight between the two works Hondas and two works Yamahas this afternoon, all four look quick enough to win.
DTM - Hockenheim: There's been a slight change to the grid for the first race of the season at Hockenheim. Audi driver Miguel Molina, who qualified sixth, has been sent to the back of the grid for not having a dummy camera installed in his car during qualifying.
European F3 - Hockenheim: Here's how the points stand just a little way into the very long season ahead:
Championship standings after four of 33 rounds:
1 Esteban Ocon 60
2 Tom Blomqvist 57
3 Antonio Fuoco 52
4 Jordan King 40
5 Lucas Auer 39
6 Nicholas Latifi 38
7 Max Verstappen 38
8 Ed Jones 28
9 Felix Rosenqvist 18
10 Antonio Giovinazzi 14
(25 points for a win)
Championship standings after four of 33 rounds:
1 Esteban Ocon 60
2 Tom Blomqvist 57
3 Antonio Fuoco 52
4 Jordan King 40
5 Lucas Auer 39
6 Nicholas Latifi 38
7 Max Verstappen 38
8 Ed Jones 28
9 Felix Rosenqvist 18
10 Antonio Giovinazzi 14
(25 points for a win)
European F3 - Hockenheim: Verstappen had to do something good to make up for the first race of the weekend, which happened on Saturday morning, as he crashed into Nicholas Latifi on the first lap of that one.
The race was dominated by Mucke's Lucas Auer, and it unfolded like this...
Hockenheim Euro F3 race one report
The race was dominated by Mucke's Lucas Auer, and it unfolded like this...
Hockenheim Euro F3 race one report
F3
European F3 - Hockenheim: This is the scene on the dummy grid with race two of the European Formula 3 weekend commencing in a little under half an hour.
Teenage sensation Max Verstappen has pole for both today's races, thanks in part to an engine penalty for Tom Blomqvist - though the young Dutchman still outpaced everyone else in the pack.
Hockenheim European F3 qualifying two report
Good morning and welcome back to AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live - it's race day at Jerez for MotoGP and at Hockenheim for the DTM.
We'll also have European Formula 3, Moto3, Moto2, World Touring Car Championship, Auto GP and British Touring Car Championship race commentaries for you over the next five hours.
We'll also have European Formula 3, Moto3, Moto2, World Touring Car Championship, Auto GP and British Touring Car Championship race commentaries for you over the next five hours.
WEC - Spa: GARY WATKINS' comprehensive race report will be on AUTOSPORT later this evening.
That's it for Saturday's AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live coverage, but we're back from 9.45am UK time tomorrow, with commentary on the following scheduled:
10.00: Hockenheim European F3 race two
10.00: Jerez Moto3 race
11.10: Rockingham British F3 qualifying
11.15: Hungaroring Auto GP race two
11.20: Jerez Moto2 race
12.10: Thruxton BTCC race one
12.30: Hockenheim DTM race
12.35: Hungaroring WTCC race one
13.00: Jerez MotoGP race
13.35: Hungaroring WTCC race two
See you then.
That's it for Saturday's AUTOSPORT Race Centre Live coverage, but we're back from 9.45am UK time tomorrow, with commentary on the following scheduled:
10.00: Hockenheim European F3 race two
10.00: Jerez Moto3 race
11.10: Rockingham British F3 qualifying
11.15: Hungaroring Auto GP race two
11.20: Jerez Moto2 race
12.10: Thruxton BTCC race one
12.30: Hockenheim DTM race
12.35: Hungaroring WTCC race one
13.00: Jerez MotoGP race
13.35: Hungaroring WTCC race two
See you then.
Checkered flag
WEC - Spa: Toyota clinches its second victory in as many races, here's the final result:
1. #8 Toyota
2. #1 Audi
3. #7 Toyota
4. #14 Porsche
5. #2 Audi
LMP2 winner: #26 OAK Morgan-Nissan
GTE Pro winner: #51 AF Ferrari
GTE Am winner: #61 AF Ferrari
1. #8 Toyota
2. #1 Audi
3. #7 Toyota
4. #14 Porsche
5. #2 Audi
LMP2 winner: #26 OAK Morgan-Nissan
GTE Pro winner: #51 AF Ferrari
GTE Am winner: #61 AF Ferrari
WEC - Spa: Duval is still ahead of Sarrazin after their respective splashes - and is pulling away.
Checkered flag
NASCAR - Talladega - Q3 result:
1 Scott
2 Menard
3 Allmendinger
4 Mears
5 Dillon
6 Newman
7 Patrick
8 Harvick
9 Kurt Busch
10 Edwards
11 Gordon
12 Stewart
1 Scott
2 Menard
3 Allmendinger
4 Mears
5 Dillon
6 Newman
7 Patrick
8 Harvick
9 Kurt Busch
10 Edwards
11 Gordon
12 Stewart
Checkered flag
NASCAR - Talladega: Brian Scott grabs pole ahead of Paul Menard, AJ Allmendinger, Casey Mears and Austin Dillon as the pack comes around for the final time.
NASCAR - Talladega: Busch and Gordon, who were alone out front, back right off and try to slot in with the group.
Solo man Tony Stewart goes to provisional pole.
Solo man Tony Stewart goes to provisional pole.
NASCAR - Talladega: Right, with two minutes left, we're off. All 12 cars head out, it's pretty much a group one-lap shootout. Kurt Busch leads but the first few cars are well spaced out rather than drafting.
NASCAR - Talladega: Somebody does need to go for pole at some point...
Green flag
NASCAR - Talladega: Final qualifying begins, five minutes and 12 cars fighting for pole.
This is definitely more interesting than the old system, and it seems approximately four hours shorter too...
But so far no one is taking to the track at all. It's a waiting game as no one wants to be leading the group - that's the slowest place to be.
This is definitely more interesting than the old system, and it seems approximately four hours shorter too...
But so far no one is taking to the track at all. It's a waiting game as no one wants to be leading the group - that's the slowest place to be.
Quote
NASCAR - Talladega: Here are champion Johnson's thoughts about the format:
"Definitely exciting, that's for sure. We just didn't want to be caught up in any chaos today. We did well in the first round, the second we just timed it right and couldn't catch up."
"Definitely exciting, that's for sure. We just didn't want to be caught up in any chaos today. We did well in the first round, the second we just timed it right and couldn't catch up."
NASCAR - Talladega: Here's our 12-car group about to fight for pole:
Scott, Allmendinger, Edwards, Mears, Dillon, Newman, Stewart, Harvick, Gordon, Menard, Kurt Busch, Patrick.
So of the big teams, only Richard Childress Racing and Stewart-Haas have got all their cars through.
And that's a very Chevrolet-dominated 'Q3' - 11 of them, just one Ford (Edwards) and no Toyotas.
Scott, Allmendinger, Edwards, Mears, Dillon, Newman, Stewart, Harvick, Gordon, Menard, Kurt Busch, Patrick.
So of the big teams, only Richard Childress Racing and Stewart-Haas have got all their cars through.
And that's a very Chevrolet-dominated 'Q3' - 11 of them, just one Ford (Edwards) and no Toyotas.
Checkered flag
NASCAR - Talladega: Several drivers who flew in round one haven't made it through. Here are some big names and part one stars not into the five-minute pole shootout:
13. Keselowski
14. McDowell
16. Logano
17. Kahne
20. Kyle Busch
21. Johnson
22. Kenseth
13. Keselowski
14. McDowell
16. Logano
17. Kahne
20. Kyle Busch
21. Johnson
22. Kenseth
Yellow flag
NASCAR - Talladega: We briefly had a red flag for debris at Turn 1, then it was rescinded as the officials decided whatever it was was sufficiently far out of the way not to be an issue.
WEC - Spa: Sarrazin has got the gap down to Duval to next to nothing and is challenging for second.
Stopwatch
NASCAR - Talladega: It was an all-Childress top three for a moment, now the underdogs are forging through with Brian Scott fastest ahead of AJ Allmendinger and Casey Mears.
Quote
NASCAR - Talladega: Earnhardt's verdict on the qualifying system's superspeedway debut: "That wasn't a lot of fun. I'd rather do some heat races."
Dale Jr starts 31st tomorrow.
Second qualifying is now happening. Twenty four cars have 10 minutes to get into the top 12.
Dale Jr starts 31st tomorrow.
Second qualifying is now happening. Twenty four cars have 10 minutes to get into the top 12.
Breaking news
World RX - Montalegre: European champion Timer Timerzyanov has been reinstated to the head of the overnight standings in Portugal after all.
He had initially dropped down the order when he was disqualified from the second heat today for clashing with Petter Solberg, but that decision has been overturned.
He had initially dropped down the order when he was disqualified from the second heat today for clashing with Petter Solberg, but that decision has been overturned.
WEC - Spa: Jani has just made his final stop with 48 minutes to go. He didn't take tyres, which could be a roll of the dice to try to grab a podium. All the cars ahead of him will have to make one final splash.
Quote
NASCAR - Talladega: But as McMurray puts it about the importance of qualifying at Talladega... "it's tough not to get in, but it won't matter by lap five."
Checkered flag
NASCAR - Talladega: Part one is done and Kyle Busch leads those who qualified.
Frontrunners out include:
27. Marcos Ambrose
29. Clint Bowyer
31. Dale Earnhardt Jr
33. Jamie McMurray
35. Denny Hamlin
36. Greg Biffle
38. Martin Truex Jr
And drivers who fail to qualify altogether in this weekend's bumper 47-car field:
Eric McClure, JJ Yeley, Dave Blaney and Joe Nemechek.
Frontrunners out include:
27. Marcos Ambrose
29. Clint Bowyer
31. Dale Earnhardt Jr
33. Jamie McMurray
35. Denny Hamlin
36. Greg Biffle
38. Martin Truex Jr
And drivers who fail to qualify altogether in this weekend's bumper 47-car field:
Eric McClure, JJ Yeley, Dave Blaney and Joe Nemechek.
NASCAR - Talladega: Looks like Daytona 500 winner Earnhardt isn't fussed about starting back in the pack here, he's 31st but not going out again.
Several drivers have hinted that as racing through the field is so easy at Talladega, they won't chance their arm too much in the qualifying packs.
Several drivers have hinted that as racing through the field is so easy at Talladega, they won't chance their arm too much in the qualifying packs.
WEC - Spa: Lapierre's lead is down to 53s as a result of that delay, with di Grassi leading Sarrazin by 2.4s.
NASCAR - Talladega: There's no one going very fast at the moment, just a lot of cars trundling around trying to find some playmates to go drafting with.
WEC - Spa - order after 5 hours:
1 #8 Toyota
2 #1 Audi
3 #7 Toyota
4 #14 Porsche
5 #2 Audi
LMP2 leader: #26 OAK Morgan-Nissan
GTE Pro leader: #51 AF Ferrari
GTE Am leader: #61 AF Ferrari
1 #8 Toyota
2 #1 Audi
3 #7 Toyota
4 #14 Porsche
5 #2 Audi
LMP2 leader: #26 OAK Morgan-Nissan
GTE Pro leader: #51 AF Ferrari
GTE Am leader: #61 AF Ferrari
WEC - Spa: There was a delay on the right rear on the leading Toyota, to the tune of a dozen or so seconds. It's not going to affect the result, though.
Breaking news
MotoGP - Jerez: The Grand Prix Commission met at Jerez today and came up with a small but useful ruling.
The old stipulation that if you pitted in a wet/dry race you had to change to a bike with a different type of tyre has been dropped.
That used to mean that if you came in with a handling problem, you had to go back out on the opposite tyre type - so potentially slicks in the wet. Thankfully that's no longer the case.
Definitely no rain expected at Jerez tomorrow though, very hot temperatures are forecast.
The old stipulation that if you pitted in a wet/dry race you had to change to a bike with a different type of tyre has been dropped.
That used to mean that if you came in with a handling problem, you had to go back out on the opposite tyre type - so potentially slicks in the wet. Thankfully that's no longer the case.
Definitely no rain expected at Jerez tomorrow though, very hot temperatures are forecast.
WEC - Spa: Davidson pits out of the lead. Lapierre gets in, but he won't be able to go to the end on this tank of fuel.
WEC - Spa: Bruni holds a 25s lead in GTE Pro, but Rigon in the second AF Corse Ferrari is fighting a rear guard action to hold off Bergmeister's Porsche. Turner will move back to second when they pit, but will have to make a splash-and-dash stop before the end.
NASCAR - Talladega: Eleven minutes left in the first part of qualifying, but many of the big names reckon the job is done. Penske boys Keselowski and Logano have hopped out of their cars and are watching from the pitwall.
Drivers still to make it through include:
29. Clint Bowyer
31. Dale Earnhardt Jr
33. Jamie McMurray
35. Greg Biffle
36. Denny Hamlin
38. Martin Truex Jr
Drivers still to make it through include:
29. Clint Bowyer
31. Dale Earnhardt Jr
33. Jamie McMurray
35. Greg Biffle
36. Denny Hamlin
38. Martin Truex Jr
WEC - Spa: Duval is edging away from Sarrazin, while Jani is a further 20s down in fourth. The Porsche is due a pitstop, but will be able to go to the end from there.
By: Matt Beer, Gary Watkins, Pablo Elizalde, Kevin Turner, Peter Mills, Andrew van Leeuwen, Scott Mitchell
Published:
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