Piecework for Binder & Agius in the Thailand Grand Prix
With grid positions 16 and 20, Darryn Binder and Senna Agius of the German LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 Team will have their work cut out for them in the eighteenth round of the season in Thailand, but the duo have already proved themselves numerous times as strong candidates for a points-scoring comeback.
It was not an easy start to the race weekend for Darryn Binder on the 4.55 km Chang International Circuit in northern Thailand, but the South African never gave up thanks to his fighter mentality and worked his way through the highly competitive Qualifying 1, after he only just missed out on the top 14 in the combined timesheets in 15th place. In Q1, the 26-year-old stayed in the leading position for most of the 15-minute session until shortly before the end and finally pushed his Kalex to a good second place. In the subsequent Q2, he finally secured P17, which nevertheless meant sixteenth place on the grid on row six after a competitor was penalized. He has high hopes for the race, which starts on Sunday at 07:15 (CET).
The 19-year-old Senna Agius did not have an easy time in the Friday sessions and the P2 on Saturday morning did not bring the improvements he would have wished for. As a result, the young Australian, who celebrated his world championship podium debut just a week ago on Phillip Island with third place, had to start in Q1, where he shone with fast sector times, but ultimately missed out on Q2 in seventh place, 0.338s behind the leader. From twentieth on the grid in row seven, the road to the points is not far away, which is why the Aussie is hoping for a good start and a groundbreaking opening phase of the 22-lap race.
Results
FP
1. Marcos RAMIREZ/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'35.897
2. Manuel GONZALEZ/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'35.944 (+0.047)
3. Fermin ALDEGUER/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'35.987 (+0.090)
17. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'36.552 (+0.655)
20. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'36.640 (+0.743)
P1
1. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'35.192
2. Tony ARBOLINO/ ITA/ KALEX – 1'35.410 (+0.218)
3. Marcos RAMIREZ/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'35.442 (+0.250)
22. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'36.275 (+1.083)
26. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'36.702 (+1.510)
P2
1. Ai OGURA/ JPN/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'34.595
2. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'34.842 (+0.247)
3. Diogo MOREIRA/ BRA/ KALEX – 1'34.887 (+0.292)
15. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'35.397 (+0.802)
25. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'35.894 (+1.299)
Q1
1. Somkiat CHANTRA/ THA/ KALEX – 1'35.017
2. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'35.251 (+0.234)
3. Sergio GARCIA/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'35.289 (+0.272)
7. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'35.355 (+0.338)
Q2
1. Ai OGURA/ JPN/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'34.728
2. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'34.779 (+0.051)
3. Diogo MOREIRA/ BRA/ KALEX – 1'34.802 (+0.074)
17. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'35.601 (+0.873)
