WRC Italy, Barcelona MotoGP
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IndyCar - Toronto: One thing you might've missed amid all the Le Mans and WRC action - ex-F1 driver turned Formula E championship leader Nelson Piquet Jr is racing in Indy Lights with Carlin this weekend.
He took pole for his debut, but then in the race this happened...
Here's the full story.
He took pole for his debut, but then in the race this happened...
Here's the full story.
Checkered flag
FR3.5 - Hungaroring:
1 Rowland; 2 Vaxiviere; 3 Malja; 4 Jaafar; 5 Dillmann; 6 Ellinas.
1 Rowland; 2 Vaxiviere; 3 Malja; 4 Jaafar; 5 Dillmann; 6 Ellinas.
MotoGP - Barcelona: Ducati isn't quite the same factor here. Dovizioso starts fifth, Iannone 10th - and the latter had to come through from Q1 (as did Pedrosa, who messed up a crucial practice lap). But the men in red are reasonably optimistic about their race pace.
Watch Crutchlow too - he shunted in qualifying and starts ninth, but said he'd promised LCR he'd give it everything to get on the front row so was just keeping his word... For a man who dislocated his ankle a fortnight ago, he's been pretty chipper and pretty quick all weekend.
Watch Crutchlow too - he shunted in qualifying and starts ninth, but said he'd promised LCR he'd give it everything to get on the front row so was just keeping his word... For a man who dislocated his ankle a fortnight ago, he's been pretty chipper and pretty quick all weekend.
MotoGP - Barcelona: What about that bloke who won a race earlier this year and is hanging around in fifth in the championship... remember him? Marc Marquez?
Honda has brought some upgrades this weekend and seems in better shape - certainly compared to Mugello where Marquez couldn't even make Q2.
He starts fourth, having been quick in Friday practice in particular, but suspects Lorenzo is still going to be the man to beat in the race.
Marquez was also quizzed about whether he would settle for what the Honda was actually capable of rather than lobbing it down the road on its side trying to achieve a miracle if the Yamahas proved quicker. His response suggested settling for points isn't his vibe.
Honda has brought some upgrades this weekend and seems in better shape - certainly compared to Mugello where Marquez couldn't even make Q2.
He starts fourth, having been quick in Friday practice in particular, but suspects Lorenzo is still going to be the man to beat in the race.
Marquez was also quizzed about whether he would settle for what the Honda was actually capable of rather than lobbing it down the road on its side trying to achieve a miracle if the Yamahas proved quicker. His response suggested settling for points isn't his vibe.
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: As he starts his last lap, leader Rowland is under investigation.
No other information is included on the monitor. Completely guessing, a possible pitstop infringement could be the cause.
No other information is included on the monitor. Completely guessing, a possible pitstop infringement could be the cause.
MotoGP - Barcelona: On Thursday, Rossi said he needed to get his Fridays and Saturdays better sorted so he wasn't going into Sundays still tinkering with set-ups and with ground to make up from further down the grid.
Well... he had to grapple to set a practice time quick enough to get into Q2 automatically, and then qualified seventh, so on paper it's mission not accomplished for Rossi.
And yet he remains very, very confident in his race pace. With those Suzukis in the mix shaking things up, being four places behind Lorenzo on the grid might not matter too much this time.
Well... he had to grapple to set a practice time quick enough to get into Q2 automatically, and then qualified seventh, so on paper it's mission not accomplished for Rossi.
And yet he remains very, very confident in his race pace. With those Suzukis in the mix shaking things up, being four places behind Lorenzo on the grid might not matter too much this time.
Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, Barcelona MotoGP 2015
MotoGP - Barcelona: Suzuki last qualified first and second in this class long before it was even called MotoGP - back in 1993, when Kevin Schwantz and Alex Barros led the field away at Jerez.
Its last pole was at Assen in 2007, and that came two weeks after its last win (at Le Mans), both taken in wet conditions by Chris Vermeulen.
Yes, Suzuki is allowed to use a softer tyre than Yamaha and Honda. But so is Ducati - as Espargaro was very keen to underline yesterday. The returnee squad is probably not yet a potential race-winner, but it's improving rapidly.
Espargaro is very keen for his and Vinales's pace to be judged when everyone is on the same tyre in the race today. That suggests he's confident it's good on a level playing field too. Let's see.
Its last pole was at Assen in 2007, and that came two weeks after its last win (at Le Mans), both taken in wet conditions by Chris Vermeulen.
Yes, Suzuki is allowed to use a softer tyre than Yamaha and Honda. But so is Ducati - as Espargaro was very keen to underline yesterday. The returnee squad is probably not yet a potential race-winner, but it's improving rapidly.
Espargaro is very keen for his and Vinales's pace to be judged when everyone is on the same tyre in the race today. That suggests he's confident it's good on a level playing field too. Let's see.
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: In addition to the enthralling duel between Rowland and Vaxiviere, a great battle is shaping up for third.
Jazeman Jaafar has closed to within a second of the man occupying the position, Strakka's Gustav Malja.
Jazeman Jaafar has closed to within a second of the man occupying the position, Strakka's Gustav Malja.
MotoGP - Barcelona: Nearly time for the main event, here's how the grid lines up today:
1 A Espargaro (Suzuki)
2 Vinales (Suzuki)
3 Lorenzo (Yamaha)
4 Marquez (Honda)
5 Dovizioso (Ducati)
6 Pedrosa (Honda)
7 Rossi (Yamaha)
8 Smith (Tech 3 Yamaha)
9 Crutchlow (LCR Honda)
10 Hernandez (Pramac Ducati)
11 P Espargaro (Tech 3 Yamaha)
12 Iannone (Ducati)
13 Barbera (Avintia Ducati)
14 Redding (Marc VDS Honda)
15 Bradl (Forward Yamaha)
And this is how the points look:
1 Rossi 118
2 Lorenzo 112
3 Dovizioso 83
4 Iannone 81
5 Marquez 69
6 Smith 57
1 A Espargaro (Suzuki)
2 Vinales (Suzuki)
3 Lorenzo (Yamaha)
4 Marquez (Honda)
5 Dovizioso (Ducati)
6 Pedrosa (Honda)
7 Rossi (Yamaha)
8 Smith (Tech 3 Yamaha)
9 Crutchlow (LCR Honda)
10 Hernandez (Pramac Ducati)
11 P Espargaro (Tech 3 Yamaha)
12 Iannone (Ducati)
13 Barbera (Avintia Ducati)
14 Redding (Marc VDS Honda)
15 Bradl (Forward Yamaha)
Aleix Espargaro takes Barcelona MotoGP pole 2015
And this is how the points look:
1 Rossi 118
2 Lorenzo 112
3 Dovizioso 83
4 Iannone 81
5 Marquez 69
6 Smith 57
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Vaxiviere has dropped back to 0.9s behind Rowland. The Lotus driver could be giving his tyres a breather before an attack in the final 12 minutes.
Malja is third, from Jaafar, Fantin - who will be penalised 10s, Dillmann and Ellinas.
Malja is third, from Jaafar, Fantin - who will be penalised 10s, Dillmann and Ellinas.
Yellow flag
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Sean Gelael has caused a local yellow after spinning off and crashing at the fast right-hand Turn 11.
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Vaxiviere's warmer tyres assist in propelling the Frenchman rapidly onto Rowland's gearbox, and the pair run wheel-to-wheel in Turns 1 and 2 on lap 13.
Fifth-placed Fantin has received a 10s penalty for crossing the white line the pit exit.
Fifth-placed Fantin has received a 10s penalty for crossing the white line the pit exit.
MotoGP - Barcelona: Moto3 and Moto2 have already produced thrillers this morning, albeit both won by the championship leaders.
Here's how those title chases now stand:
Moto3:
1 Kent 149
2 Bastianini 98
3 Oliveira 77
4 Vazquez 76
5 Fenati 75
6 Vinales 64
Moto2:
1 Zarco 134
2 Rabat 94
3 Lowes 80
4 Luthi 78
5 Rins 74
6 Folger 66
Here's how those title chases now stand:
Moto3:
1 Kent 149
2 Bastianini 98
3 Oliveira 77
4 Vazquez 76
5 Fenati 75
6 Vinales 64
Moto2:
1 Zarco 134
2 Rabat 94
3 Lowes 80
4 Luthi 78
5 Rins 74
6 Folger 66
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Rowland rejoins from his mandatory tyre change comfortably clear of Vaxiviere and maintains his lead.
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Vaxiviere and Malja pit from second and third on lap 11.
Only leader Rowland and Aurelien Panis are yet to come in for their mandatory tyre change.
Only leader Rowland and Aurelien Panis are yet to come in for their mandatory tyre change.
Checkered flag
Moto2 - Barcelona: This was the final result in that very tight Moto2 race:
1 Johann Zarco
2 Alex Rins
3 Tito Rabat
4 Sam Lowes
5 Luis Salom
6 Tom Luthi
7 Jonas Folger
8 Franco Morbidelli
9 Dominique Aegerter
10 Lorenzo Baldassarri
1 Johann Zarco
2 Alex Rins
3 Tito Rabat
4 Sam Lowes
5 Luis Salom
6 Tom Luthi
7 Jonas Folger
8 Franco Morbidelli
9 Dominique Aegerter
10 Lorenzo Baldassarri
Checkered flag
WRC - Italy: Here's how that ended up:
Powerstage result:
1 Ogier 7m15.9s
2 Latvala +3.8s
3 Mikkelsen +4.1s
4 Tanak +6.3s
5 Evans +12.8s
6 Kubica +13.1s
Overall top 10:
1 Ogier
2 Paddon +3m05.4s
3 Neuville +4m22.5s
4 Evans +5m34.8s
5 Ostberg +7m50.1s
6 Latvala +8m06.7s
7 Protasov +14m57.7s
8 Andreucci +15m03.3s
9 Kopecky +17m41.7s
10 Al Qassimi +19m12.0s
Powerstage result:
1 Ogier 7m15.9s
2 Latvala +3.8s
3 Mikkelsen +4.1s
4 Tanak +6.3s
5 Evans +12.8s
6 Kubica +13.1s
Overall top 10:
1 Ogier
2 Paddon +3m05.4s
3 Neuville +4m22.5s
4 Evans +5m34.8s
5 Ostberg +7m50.1s
6 Latvala +8m06.7s
7 Protasov +14m57.7s
8 Andreucci +15m03.3s
9 Kopecky +17m41.7s
10 Al Qassimi +19m12.0s
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: After his stop, Jaafar is the fastest man on track, in ninth.
Merhi, Dillmann and Stoneman take note to pit on lap nine.
Merhi, Dillmann and Stoneman take note to pit on lap nine.
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Rowland and Vaxiviere are still tied together, but now three seconds clear of Malja.
McLaren protege Nyck de Vries was the first pit caller on lap five, along with Gelael, Nissany, Celis Jr and Bonifacio.
Jazeman Jaafar has rejoined from his stop on lap six ahead of de Vries.
McLaren protege Nyck de Vries was the first pit caller on lap five, along with Gelael, Nissany, Celis Jr and Bonifacio.
Jazeman Jaafar has rejoined from his stop on lap six ahead of de Vries.
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: The lead pair of Rowland and Vaxiviere have extended a 1.9s gap over third placed Malja.
Lotus driver Vaxiviere is hounding the Fortec driver for first position.
Fantin is running fifth ahead of Dillmann and Merhi. Third-qualifier Jaafar has dropped to P8.
Lotus driver Vaxiviere is hounding the Fortec driver for first position.
Fantin is running fifth ahead of Dillmann and Merhi. Third-qualifier Jaafar has dropped to P8.
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Roberto Merhi produced a great save at Turn 2 after being tapped by Pietro Fantin, but the Pons racer has dropped to sixth.
Green flag
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Rowland makes a sensational to lead into Turn 1 from fifth on the grid.
Orudzhev has outbraked himself and dropped to 12th.
Orudzhev has outbraked himself and dropped to 12th.
Checkered flag
Moto2 - Barcelona: Incredible stuff, Zarco passes first Rins, then Rabat to take the lead, and then Rabat slides wide and lets Rins grab second.
Zarco extends his championship lead with victory despite being shoved down the order at the start.
Zarco extends his championship lead with victory despite being shoved down the order at the start.
Moto2 - Barcelona: Zarco is right with Rabat and Rins now, it's an absolutely open three-way fight for victory. See Moto2, you can do interesting races!
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Powerstage bonuses went to Ogier, Latvala and Mikkelsen, by the way. A VW one-two-three for the telly stage but a VW win over a Hyundai two-three in the bit that matters.
WRC - Italy: Andreucci loses time at the end of the stage! He's five seconds adrift and Protasov has the WRC2 win and seventh overall.
Moto2 - Barcelona: Five laps to go and it's still wide open - Rins is glued to Rabat's tail with Zarco just three tenths further back.
Lowes is losing touch a little but is still only just over a second back.
Lowes is losing touch a little but is still only just over a second back.
Quote
WRC - Italy: Ogier has kind words for Paddon's drive too.
"It's the first time he's been so consistent with great pace all weekend. He deserves this podium."
Last time out in Portugal Ogier prompted controversy by basically saying the best man didn't win... after his VW team-mate Latvala had triumphed... This time he smiles and politely avoids the question when asked if the best man won in Italy.
"It's the first time he's been so consistent with great pace all weekend. He deserves this podium."
Last time out in Portugal Ogier prompted controversy by basically saying the best man didn't win... after his VW team-mate Latvala had triumphed... This time he smiles and politely avoids the question when asked if the best man won in Italy.
WRC - Italy: Andreucci is on course to snatch the WRC2 win back on the last stage! He's 1.4s quicker than Protasov on the split having gone in half a second behind.
Trophy
WRC - Italy: Ogier crosses the line, wins the powerstage by 3.8s and wins Rally Italy at the same time.
He's straight onto the VW's roof to celebrate a 28-point maximum score.
He's straight onto the VW's roof to celebrate a 28-point maximum score.
Quote
WRC - Italy: Paddon really did have to nurse it there, he reveals that some more after-effects of his Saturday damage started to hurt the car.
"I'm very relieved. I had to nurse it through here. It's a great result, there's much more to come yet.
"It's been a very challenging weekend. Up until yesterday lunchtime it was perfect."
"I'm very relieved. I had to nurse it through here. It's a great result, there's much more to come yet.
"It's been a very challenging weekend. Up until yesterday lunchtime it was perfect."
FR3.5 - Hungaroring:Race one victor and rookie Egor Orudzhev has not marked himself out as title contender so far this season, but five rounds remain on the calendar.
Oliver Rowland leads the standings on 98 points, today's pole starter Matthieu Vaxiviere is second on 89, Jazeman Jaafar is third on 75, Dean Stoneman is fourth on 68, Tom Dillmann is fifth on 45 and Nyck de Vries is sixth on 44.
Orudzhev has moved up to seventh, while Roberto Merhi's second place on Saturday places the Spaniard 10th.
Oliver Rowland leads the standings on 98 points, today's pole starter Matthieu Vaxiviere is second on 89, Jazeman Jaafar is third on 75, Dean Stoneman is fourth on 68, Tom Dillmann is fifth on 45 and Nyck de Vries is sixth on 44.
Orudzhev has moved up to seventh, while Roberto Merhi's second place on Saturday places the Spaniard 10th.
Moto2 - Barcelona: Eight laps left and Rins is still right on Rabat's tail for the lead.
WRC - Italy: Paddon is taking it very easy on the powerstage, he'll loses half a minute to the leaders but really who cares? His first WRC podium is secured.
Stopwatch
WRC - Italy: Ogier is 1.4s up on Latvala at the split. 28 points heading for his pocket...
Quote
WRC - Italy: Sometimes Neuville startles with his pace. This weekend he's been beaten by Paddon but he's also had to twice fix problems on road sections. His reward is a return to the podium in third.
"A different drive and a few good mechanical skills!" he jokes.
"A different drive and a few good mechanical skills!" he jokes.
FR3.5 - Hungaroring: Mechanics are assembling on the grid in anticipation of their drivers completing sighting laps.
The pitstop window for this afternoon's race is between laps five and 14.
The pitstop window for this afternoon's race is between laps five and 14.
WRC - Italy: Evans and Neuville back it home. That's one podium spot secured for Hyundai...
Moto2 - Barcelona: Simultaneous passes in the lead group as Rabat retakes the lead from Rins and Zarco makes it through on Lowes for third.
Folger has only got back to 10th so far.
Folger has only got back to 10th so far.
WRC - Italy: Ogier starts the stage. Seven miles to go to claim his fourth win from six rallies this year, and will he also grab the three powerstage points just for kicks?
By: Matt Beer, Jack Benyon, David Evans, AUTOSPORT staff, Mark Glendenning, Peter Mills, Alex Kalinauckas
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