In the top speed ranking achieved in the 2nd MotoGP round in Doha, Johann Zarco (Ducati) is the fastest: 356.4 km/h. Winner Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) stops at 346.1 km/h.
Speed is not enough to win the MotoGP Grand Prix and the double round in Qatar proved it. Ducati has set both the top speed record with Johann Zarco, the track record with Pecco Bagnaia. But in the end, it was the Yamaha M1s of Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo who came out on top. Top speed has always been a passion of Gigi Dall’Igna who, through aerodynamics, was able to deliver more power even in a season marked by freezing engines.
The 1,068-meter long Losail straight proved to be an excellent testbed. Waiting to arrive at Mugello where the straight measures 1,141 meters. Paradoxically, Fabio Quartararo, winner of the second MotoGP stage, is at the bottom of the ranking of the maximum speed lapped over the weekend. The Frenchman of the Yamaha factory reached 346.1 km/h, 10 km/h slower than Zarco’s Ducati !. Behind him only Franco Morbidelli with 342.8 km/h and Lorenzo Savadori’s Aprilia at 340.6 km/h.
MOTOGP AT MAXIMUM POWER
Johann Zarco reached absolute top speed in both GPs. In the first, it set a new all-time record reaching 362.4 km/h. In the second he is still first in the special classification, but “limited” to 356.4 km/h. Behind him are four Ducati Desmosedici. Jack Miller tied with his Pramac colleague (356.4 km/h), Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia at 354.0 km/h, Enea Bastianini at 352.9. The monopoly of the Red is interrupted by Pol Espargarò who equalized with Bastianini at 352.9 km/h. 7th Luca Marini, also with a Ducati, reaching up to 351.7 km/h. Behind him was Brad Binder’s KTM at 350.6 km/h.
Suzuki, on the other hand, is in 10th place with Alex Rins pushing up to 348.3 km/h. Yamaha remains in the last positions. Ironically, it is Valentino Rossi who reaches the maximum speed for the brand. The 42-year-old from the Petronas SRT team in FP2 reached 347.2 km/h, the same as Maverick Vinales in the race. How to explain that the highest values were not achieved in qualifying? On Saturday, a headwind was blowing, while in the MotoGP race the MotoGP riders were able to take advantage of their opponents’ slipstream.