The sun is shining at Mugello and, while teams wait for the fans to flock to the track, FP1 has officially concluded, with team Gresini finishing top of the pile. All thanks to Alex Marquez, who was able to power his Ducati to the front of the pack with a best of 1’46”121. The Spaniard’s first place is not the biggest surprise of the session though, in that Fabio Quartararo lies second, the Frenchman appearing to have started the weekend on the right foot, despite yesterday’s less than optimistic comments.

Ducati, Yamaha and KTM then, with third going to Brad Binder, who gained ground in the final stages to close ahead of Marco Bezzecchi, fourth and less than two tenths from the front. The Pramac Ducati of Johann Zarco rounds out the top five, while Franco Morbidelli does well to place seventh but risks a penalty, having held his line despite travelling at low speed, which put paid to the aforementioned Marquez’s fast lap.

Bastianini and Bagnaia struggle

Remaining in the family, Marc Marquez benefitted from a tow from Bezzecchi to finish ninth, while Raul Fernandez rounds out the top ten, finally physically fit again after his arm issues. Michele Pirro, eleventh, was quicker than both factory Ducati riders, with Enea Bastianini placing fifteenth, in front of team-mate Pecco Bagnaia, the gap to the front in the region of seven tenths.

The times