Marc Márquez stormed to the top of the second practice at the German Grand Prix on 18 Jun, clocking a blistering 1 minute 19.394 seconds and putting the nine‑time Sachsenring winner in pole position heading into qualifying.
How did the session unfold?
The Friday afternoon session saw the lead change hands several times before Márquez sealed the fastest time with just three minutes left. Ducati’s rider posted a 1 m 19.841 s lap early on, only to be nudged by Aprilia’s Raul Fernández, who briefly dipped under 1 m 20.5 s after fitting fresh soft rear tyres. Fabio Di Giannantonio then posted a 1 m 19.674 s effort, but Márquez’s final run remained unbeaten.
Who were the main challengers?
Raul Fernández finished second, just 0.166 seconds shy of the Spaniard, while Di Giannantonio claimed third. Championship leader Jorge Martín struggled, ending the session eighth behind his teammate Marco Bezzecchi, who had set the early benchmark of 1 m 20.605 s. Pecco Bagnaia suffered a disappointment, missing Q2 for the fourth time this season after a 13th‑place practice.
What does this mean for Márquez’s weekend?
Leading practice sends a clear signal to rivals that Márquez is in top form on the Sachsenring’s tight, flowing layout. The Spaniard’s ability to extract a sub‑1 m 20 s lap after an early crash in FP1 suggests the bike is well‑balanced and the rider is comfortable with the new soft tyre compound. If he can replicate this pace in qualifying, a front‑row start becomes a realistic goal, crucial for a rider eyeing his tenth German win.
Any incidents that could affect the grid?
A late‑session yellow flag after Enea Bastianini’s crash halted several riders, preventing them from improving their times. Bastianini dropped to 11th, while Brad Binder and Bagnaia rounded out the top‑12. Franco Morbidelli, who finished tenth, may face a penalty for impeding Pedro Acosta, who was forced off the racing line at Turn 6. These penalties could shuffle the final Q2 line‑up.
What’s next for the riders?
Qualifying on Saturday will determine the starting grid for Sunday’s race. Márquez will aim to convert his practice dominance into a pole position, while Fernández and Di Giannantonio will look to stay within striking distance. Bagnaia will need to recover quickly from his practice setback if he hopes to fight for a podium. The stage is set for a thrilling showdown at the Sachsenring.