Italian GP – EL1: The first for Alex Márquez

• As usual, the session got lively in the last 10 minutes with the advantage on the line for Alex Márquez. The Spaniard must achieve a strong performance in qualifying because he will be penalized 3 places at the start following his mistakes at the French GP
• Behind Márquez, the nice surprise comes from our French representatives with Johann Zarco 5th and above all fabio quartararo second ! The Frenchman decided to return to old settings on his Yamaha, a change of course which seems to have put him back in the wind.
• Michele Pirro, who has a wild card this weekend, led the session for a long time on a circuit that he knows like the back of his hand having led countless test sessions for Ducati there. Star development driver of the Italian manufacturer for 11 years, Pirro is inseparable from the successes of Ducati like what Dani Pedrosa achieves at KTM.
• Reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia is present despite ankle pain following his talus fracture. If the Italian moves around the paddock with a crutch, he assures that he does not feel any pain once on his motorcycle.

Scooter on crutches? No problem for Bagnaia 😎

Hit in the right ankle after his fall at Le Mans, the World Champion moves with caution 🧐

He will be present this weekend. #ItalianGP #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/pDCA7K6JCQ

— CANAL+ MotoGP™ (@CanalplusMotoGP) June 8, 2023

• The Prima Pramac Racing team presents itself at Mugello with an exceptional livery, a tribute to Dante's Divine Comedy. The Ducatis display a Paradise decoration on one side, Hell on the other with in particular these few words: “You who enter, abandon all hope”, a message certainly addressed to the opponents of the Italian team.

  

  From hell…

  

  … in Paradise ! © Prima Pramac

  
  

Meet at 15:00 p.m. for the second practice session.

Ranking of the first practice session of the Italian Grand Prix MotoGP

ALSO READ > The MotoGP Program for the 2023 Italian GP