Another action-packed weekend in MotoGP brought a series of unpredictable results that had a significant impact on the 2024 title race. Jorge Martin secured an impressive victory in Portimão, while his championship rivals, Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez, faced their own crises. Weekend highlights include Maverick Vinales proving the win for Aprilia, rookie Pedro Acosta reaching the podium in only his second race, and several preseason favorites struggling to find their form. These events provide ample material to rank the grid based on their performances in the second race weekend of the season.
Pedro Acosta’s performance in his second race as a rookie was simply remarkable. Despite not being on a Ducati in MotoGP, Acosta managed to secure a place on the podium, leaving his factory team counterparts behind. His ability to manage his tires at such an early stage in his career is a cause for concern for other KTM riders.
Jorge Martin’s main performance in the race was the most mature we have seen from him so far. He demonstrated excellent tire management, controlled the gap to his competitors, and even expressed willingness to settle for second place if necessary. These developments indicate that Martin has learned from lessons of the previous year and is becoming a more complete rider.
Maverick Vinales had a disappointing weekend due to a mechanical issue that deprived him of a great result. However, his pace was impressive, and he showed promising signs of improvement. The key for Vinales will be to maintain consistent performances in the coming weeks and prove that his success in Portimão was not just a coincidence.
Enea Bastianini needed a good start to the season as he competes with Martin and Marquez for the second spot in Ducati’s factory team. His podium finish and pole position in Portimão suggest that he is regaining his confidence. If Bastianini can maintain this level of performance, he will pose a challenge to Ducati as they plan for the future.
Fabio Quartararo had a decent result on Sunday, benefiting from some incidents ahead of him. However, it is important to recognize the improvement in his bike’s performance, which has not stood out in the past. Quartararo’s contributions are driving Yamaha forward, and with future plans in place, he may have a future with the team beyond 2024.
Aleix Espargaro had a disappointing weekend as a factory rider for Aprilia. He was overshadowed by his teammate Vinales and faced setbacks in qualifying. Despite these challenges, Espargaro settled for the best possible result given his grid position.
Takaaki Nakagami deserves credit for his consistent performances in trying to improve Honda’s MotoGP project. He consistently finishes in the points and ended up ahead of his new teammate Johann Zarco in Portimão.
Miguel Oliveira had a mediocre weekend in front of his home crowd. Although he managed a decent result on Sunday, riding a new bike for a well-funded team in 2024 should have yielded better results. Oliveira needs to identify what is lacking and make improvements as soon as possible.
Augusto Fernandez has been working tirelessly to improve his performance on the Gas Gas RC16 machine. He showed signs of progress in Portimão and hopefully, this is a step towards further improvements in the coming weeks.
Marco Bezzecchi had a difficult weekend and struggled to replicate his success from last year. He has not yet found his rhythm with the GP23 and faces challenges in making a good start. Bezzecchi will need to rely on the misfortune of others to move up in the standings until he can resolve these issues.
Jack Miller’s performance in Portimão was an improvement compared to his races in Qatar. He managed his tires well and finished very close to his teammate Brad Binder. However, Miller’s hopes of keeping his job for 2025 were dashed by the podium of rookie Acosta.
Alex Rins had a stable weekend as he continues to familiarize himself with the Yamaha M1. He remains cautiously optimistic about his progress and that of his teammate Quartararo. With a private test scheduled in Portimão and the next race at the Circuit of the Americas, Rins has the opportunity to further improve his performance.
Fabio Di Giannantonio had a quiet weekend on the Ducati VR46. Like other riders on the 2023 bike, he is still adapting to its nuances. Di Giannantonio’s modest performance indicates that he still has work to do to reach his full potential.
Brad Binder had a disappointing weekend, especially because he was overtaken by rookie Acosta on a satellite bike. Although his crash in the sprint race hindered him, he cannot make excuses for his performance in the main race.
Marc Marquez’s weekend was marred by his own mistakes. Although he and Bagnaia share the blame for the accident, Marquez had the opportunity to avoid it and secure valuable points. However, he remains optimistic as he heads to one of his favorite circuits at the Circuit of the Americas.
Joan Mir’s performance in Portimão was an improvement, considering he has been prone to crashes recently. Despite suffering damage to his bike early on, Mir managed to secure a good amount of points. As improvements continue, Mir hopes to achieve better results in the races.
Franco Morbidelli had a challenging weekend but managed to gain valuable time on the track despite a crash during the race. Although there were glimpses of improvement, Morbidelli still has work to do to reach his full potential.
Raul Fernandez’s pre-season form did not translate into race results in Portimão. A poor qualifying session put him at a disadvantage and, although he made some progress, he ended up crashing. Fernandez is going through a tough period and needs a change of luck.
Johann Zarco had a disappointing weekend, finishing behind Mir and Nakagami. Although the current situation is tough for Honda, there were opportunities for Zarco to achieve better results.
Alex Marquez struggled to meet his own expectations in Portimão. Despite aiming for a top-six result, Marquez failed to achieve this goal and lost positions during the race.
Pecco Bagnaia had a weekend to forget, throwing away two good results. A mistake in the sprint race cost him a possible victory, and he struggled in the main race even before the collision with Marquez. This unexpected turn of events will lead to a thorough evaluation at Ducati.
Luca Marini remains at the back of the grid, unable to show signs of improvement. He has a tough task ahead and can only take solace in the progress of his teammates.
© 2024
The Brazilian driver Lucas Silva achieved an impressive victory in this weekend’s Formula 1 Grand Prix. The race, which took place at the famous Interlagos circuit in São Paulo, was thrilling from start to finish. Silva, who started in pole position, maintained the lead throughout the race and crossed the finish line in first place. With this win, the Brazilian driver solidifies himself as one of the favorites for this year’s title.
The race began with a lot of excitement, with several drivers vying for the top positions. However, Silva quickly showed his talent and skill by opening up a significant lead over his rivals. Despite the pressure from other drivers, the Brazilian managed to maintain the lead and control the race with mastery.
Throughout the race, there were some intense battles between the drivers, but Silva managed to stay ahead and did not make any mistakes. His flawless performance and ability to handle pressure led him to victory. With this achievement, Silva is getting closer to the top of the overall standings.
After the race, Silva celebrated his victory and thanked the team for their hard work and the support of the fans. The driver also talked about his expectations for the upcoming races and his determination to fight for the championship. With his impressive performance, it is possible to affirm that Lucas Silva has all the chances to become the next Formula 1 champion.
The next stage of the championship will take place next month at the iconic Monza circuit in Italy. It will be an opportunity for Silva to once again showcase his talent and achieve another victory. Brazilian fans are eager to see the driver in action and cheer for his success. The season promises to be exciting and full of great battles. Stay tuned to follow all the emotions of Formula 1!
