If you weren’t breaking records, you didn’t make the Q2 cut on a thrilling Saturday morning
We were treated to plenty of FP3 French flair at the SHARK Grand Prix de France, with Johann Zarco recording a stunning effort to smash the All Time Lap Record in Le Mans. The Pramac star recorded an outstanding 1:30.537 on his final flying lap to end Free Practice on top of the timesheets.
Reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) gave the home fans plenty to cheer about as he also secured a top three finish, just behind title rival Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
A record-breaking session
It took a while to kick into life, but it proved to be worth the wait as all 10 riders inside the Q2 places smashed the previous Le Mans lap record prior to this weekend. Quartararo was the first to get the home fans on their feet as he posted the first-ever 1:30 lap seen at the circuit. It was a pulsating effort and Marc Marquez was nearly caught out trying to keep pace with the home hero, but not for the first time this season, the Repsol Honda man managed to stay aboard his RC213V.
Moments later, a new record was set. Spanish GP winner Bagnaia had just posted his best time of the weekend to move into the top five, before his next time attack absolutely blitzed Quartararo’s lap time. The Italian moved the goalposts into the mid-1:30s.
Quartararo refused to rest on his laurels. Exiting pitlane, he once again had Marquez on his coattails as he attempted to better Bagnaia’s time, but in the end he fell just a tenth short. The drama was far from over for the home fans, as Zarco began to light up the timing screens before pulling out a brilliant final sector to go top and set the new All Time Lap Record.