Zarco Dominates First Practice Session at Aragon GP
In the build-up to the Aragon GP, a notable change has occurred since the British GP: the initial 45-minute weekend session no longer contributes to the qualifying groups for Saturday’s race. Johann Zarco did a great job in the first practice, which took place on a dry track and lasted 1m29.838 seconds. This swift lap, achieved with a fresh medium rear tire, placed him 0.399 seconds ahead of his competitors. The reigning 2021 world champion, Fabio Quartararo, and Maverick Vinales on the Aprilia closely followed Zarco.
First Practice Session Exempt from Qualifying, Zarco Sets the Pace
Vinales set the early tempo aboard his RS-GP, recording an unstoppable time of 1m31.751s. Shortly after, Enea Bastianini of Ducati momentarily seized the lead with a time of 1m30.852s within the first six minutes of the session. Vinales swiftly reclaimed the top position with an unstoppable subsequent lap time of 1m30.270s, maintaining his dominance for eight minutes. Still utilizing the new aerodynamic package from the British GP, Quartararo outshone his former teammate with an unstoppable time of 1m30.237s, solidifying his place as the fastest rider as the session entered its final half-hour.
Zarco Surges Ahead in Opening Practice at Aragon GP
As the session drew close, Quartararo appeared poised to clinch the top spot in FP1. However, a late surge by Zarco, piloting his Pramac-run Ducati, ensured he concluded the opening practice session at the summit. Trailing the leading trio was Alex Marquez of Gresini, who clocked a time of 1m30.286s. Unfortunately, Marquez encountered issues early on in the session, necessitating an early halt due to visible smoke emanating from his bike each time he applied the front brake. Despite the challenges, Zarco emerged as the standout rider, setting the tone for the Aragon GP weekend.
