Row 8 start for Tulovic in Malaysia, Binder injured after horror crash
The LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 Team is once again facing new challenges at the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit. Lukas Tulovic earned the 24th starting position on row eight, while Darryn Binder was unable to take part in qualifying after a heavy high-speed crash in practice on Saturday morning necessitated further medical examinations.
The start to the hot and tropical Malaysian race weekend was by no means easy, but the German Lukas Tulovic only just missed out on his goal of securing a grid position in the top 20 with P24. The 23-year-old got tenth place in Qualifying 1, which meant he ended the day on the eighth row of the grid. Again, not an easy starting position for last year's European Moto2 champion, but he remains highly motivated to gradually make his way into the points in the 17-lap race.
Unfortunately, Darryn Binder will be missing on the starting grid on Sunday. The South African experienced a horror scenario in the final free practice session in the morning, which he fortunately escaped without serious injury. What had happened? Before turn one, the 25-year-old had to jump off his Kalex at top speed after the brake pressure suddenly failed. The reason for this was that shortly beforehand, when Darryn went over the curbs in the last corner, the movement was so strong that the brake pistons moved back a little. As a result, the braking power was gone. The Intact GP rider flew and rolled over unbraked in the gravel several metres away, while his bike continued straight ahead and finally crashed into the air fence with full force. Two dislocated fingers on his left hand with cuts and trauma to his right ankle were the result of this terrifying moment that ruled him out of the Malaysian Grand Prix.
However, the South African is already rising hopes that he will be back on his Kalex in just one week's time at the Qatar Grand Prix. The entire team wishes Darryn Binder a speedy recovery and return so that they can contest the final two races of 2023 together.
The starting gun for the 18th race of the Moto2 season will be fired at 06:15 (CET).
Results
P1
1. Fermín ALDEGUER/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 2'06.183
2. Jake DIXON/ GBR/ KALEX – 2'06.243 (+0.060)
3. Pedro ACOSTA/ SPA/ KALEX – 2'06.638 (+0.455
25. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 2'08.995 (+2.812)
28. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX – 2'09.296 (+3.113)
P2
1. Ai OGURA/ JPN/ KALEX – 2'06.093
2. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 2'06.193 (+0.100)
3. Jake DIXON/ GBR/ KALEX – 2'06.246 (+0.153)
21. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX –2'07.590 (+1.497)
24. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 2'07.727 (+1.634)
P3
1. Fermín ALDEGUER/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 2'05.319
2. Somkiat CHANTRA/ THA/ KALEX – 2'05.865 (+0.546)
3. Jake DIXON/ GBR/ KALEX – 2'05.921 (+0.602)
21. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 2'06.786 (+1.467)
29. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX –2'08.247 (+2.928 )
Q1
1. Tony ARBOLINO/ ITA/ KALEX – 2'05.724
2. Albert ARENAS/ SPA/ KALEX – 2'06.048 (+0.324)
3. Taiga HADA/ JAP/ KALEx – 2'06.081 (+0.357)
10. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – 2'06.630 (+0.906)
NC Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX
