Enea Bastianini left Ducati at the top of the MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix practice session. It was close to the end when the rider set the best time in a dynamic session, with lap times constantly improving and the lead changing hands several times.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) led ahead of the official KTMs of Jack Miller and Brad Binder after the first flying laps. The table changed considerably with the second flying laps, and Binder moved to the top, with Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati) in second and Quartararo in third.
These two would be surpassed by Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46/Ducati) and Marc Márquez (Gresini/Ducati), but Quartararo ten climbed to second, only to be subsequently overtaken by Martín. Still within the first half-hour, Marc Márquez (Gresini/Ducati) placed second, just 36 thousandths behind Binder. The Spaniard even took the lead about half an hour from the end, at a time when Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GasGas Tech3/KTM) moved up to third. Not long after, Martín set the pace, being the first to lap in 1m38s.
A surprise around 20 minutes from the end, with Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) briefly taking the top spot before quickly being beaten by Maverick Viñales (Aprilia). Before the last quarter-hour, a new leader, specifically Marc Márquez, who was 0.070s faster than Viñales.
Top Gun is ready for take-off 🚀
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 22, 2024
He sets a new benchmark ahead of @takanakagami30 👏#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/xCSpb7gawr
Despite some crashes in the final phase of the session, lap times continued to improve until the end. Bastianini took the lead on his 17th lap and never let go. Miller closed in, but remained 0.118s behind. Marc Márquez, who had a minor crash in the final moments, finished third, followed by Martín and Binder.
Álex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha) was tenth, securing the last direct spot in the second qualifying phase, with Acosta missing out in 11th by just 0.039s. Among others, Morbidelli, Joan Mir (Repsol Honda), and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda) will also have to go through Q1. The Italian crashed near the end at turn eight and finished last.
Timesheets: