Veijer impresses in Motegi with grid position 2, Suzuki on row 6
The Japan Grand Prix in Motegi demanded a lot from the two LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto3 riders Collin Veijer and Tatsuki Suzuki with its changeable conditions in practice and qualifying 2. While Veijer was able to secure second place on row 1 in Q2, local hero Suzuki finished the qualifying session behind his expectations in 17th place on row 6.
The weekend at the 4.8 km long Mobility Resort Motegi was not an easy undertaking right from the start after changeable conditions with recurring rain turned the sessions into a game of roulette. Nevertheless, Collin Veijer tried to adapt quickly. Shortly before the end of free practice, the Dutchman even switched to slick tyres, which ultimately earned him ninth place, which he then confirmed in P1. On the wet Saturday morning, the 19-year-old, who is currently in fourth place in the world championship, took it easy so as not to risk anything unnecessarily before the Q2. In the 15-minute Qualifying 2, the youngster delivered as usual and set by far his best time of the weekend so far with a 1'55.117 on the now dry tarmac. With a gap of just 0.356s to pole setter Ivan Ortola, Veijer will start the race in second place and try to prevent the title decider in favour of David Alonso, who will start directly behind him.
Meanwhile, Tatsuki Suzuki had a similar struggle. The local hero finished the first wet session of the weekend in 26th place as he and his crew worked on a solid base for this demanding track with its continuing changeable conditions. As Friday progressed, the 26-year-old managed to finish P1 in a strong fifth place and thus a provisional Q2 position. In the second qualifying session, the Japanese rider adopted the same tactics as his younger team-mate, riding carefully in the wet conditions in order to be prepared for Qualifying 2 later on. However, Q2 was not to 'Tatsu's' liking at all, as his fastest lap was cancelled due to having crossed the track limits. From 17th on the grid, he will have his work cut out for him when the race starts at 04:00 (CEST), but he is confident in his speed and the potential of his Husqvarna and hopes to get deep into the points.
Results
FP
1. David ALONSO/ COL/ CFMOTO – 1'59.280
2. Joel KELSO/ AUS/ KTM – 1'59.509 (+0.229)
3. Filippo FARIOLI/ ITA/ HONDA – 1'59.555 (+0.275)
9. Collin VEIJER/ NED/ HUSQVARNA – 2'00.389 (+1.109)
26. Tatsuki SUZUKI/ JPN/ HUSQVARNA – 2'11.310 (+12.030)
P1
1. Ivan ORTOLA/ SPA/ KTM – 1'55.550
2. Angel PIQUERAS/ SPA/ HONDA – 1'55.707 (+0.157)
3. David ALONSO/ COL/ CFMOTO – 1'55.717 (+0.167)
5. Tatsuki SUZUKI/ JPN/ HUSQVARNA – 1'55.865 (+0.315)
9. Collin VEIJER/ NED/ HUSQVARNA – 1'56.142 (+0.592)
P2
1. Angel PIQUERAS/ SPA/ HONDA – 2'05.716
2. Adrian FERNANDEZ/ SPA/ HONDA – 2'06.055 (+0.339)
3. David ALMANSA/ SPA/ HONDA – 2'06.378 (+0.662)
19. Tatsuki SUZUKI/ JPN/ HUSQVARNA – 2'08.183 (+2.467)
21. Collin VEIJER/ NED/ HUSQVARNA – 2'08.489 (+2.773)
Q2
1. Ivan ORTOLA/ SPA/ KTM – 1'54.761
2. Collin VEIJER/ NED/ HUSQVARNA – 1'55.117 (+0.356)
3. David ALONSO/ COL/ CFMOTO – 1'55.170 (+0.409)
17. Tatsuki SUZUKI/ JPN/ HUSQVARNA – 1'56.952 (+2.191)
