The Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas was a thrilling spectacle, with new names emerging, old names making a comeback, and records being shattered. The Circuit of the Americas was the stage for all the action, and here’s a recap of the heart-pounding events that unfolded.
BatMav’s Comeback
Maverick Vinales was a man on the mission. After his DNF in the previous round, it was a picture-perfect weekend for Vinales. On Saturday, he secured the pole at 2:00.864, smashing the all-time lap record around COTA. He conquered COTA on Saturday by winning the sprint race and was all set to do the treble on Sunday. The lights went out in Texas, and instead of a rocket launch from the pole, Viñales suffered a dismal holeshot. Dropping to a lowly 11th on the first lap, the unthinkable seemed a possibility, but the Spaniard didn’t give up and started his comeback. He started picking up off riders with precision, and Viñales clawed his way back into contention. By mid-race, he was breathing down the leaders’ necks, and on Lap 13, the unthinkable became reality. Viñales snatched the lead and never looked back, crossing the line as a dominant victor.
This win etched Viñales’ name in MotoGP™ history as the first rider to win races with three manufacturers – Suzuki, Yamaha, and now Aprilia.
Ducati’s Dynasty in Doubt?
The Ducati, the bike to beat on every circuit, faced an unexpected challenge in the Texas heat. While Enea Bastianini secured a valiant podium finish after a late charge, the factory machines of Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia were left wanting. Martin, the championship leader, struggled for grip. In a surprising twist, Martin fell off the podium place and finished in p4 while Bagnaia finished p5. This unexpected turn of events raises the question Is this a one-off blip or are there some serious concerns in the box of the reigning champions?
The Shark Attack:
It is safe to say that Pedro Acosta is delivering on the hype that was created around him. He secured a place on the front row in P2. Pedro got a good start on the line and even led the race. Acosta had proper battles with Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez, eventually ending up on the podium in P2 behind Vianles. Acosta’s performance solidified his status as a future star in MotoGP™. His race craft is beyond his years, and his ability to adapt to different tracks is truly impressive. It’s safe to say we can expect to see much more from “The Shark” in the upcoming races.
Marquez’s Mishap
The ever-dramatic Marc Marquez had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Leading the race at times. The “Comeback King” looked poised to battle for the podium, showcasing his trademark aggression and never-say-die attitude. However, disaster struck Lap 18 as Marquez lost the front end and tumbled out of contention, shattering his hopes for a win or even a podium.
Marquez post race –
“I’m more disappointed because today the speed was there, the feeling was there, but I had unexpected problems with the front brake during all the race that gave me a lot of difficulties to ride”
Are Aprilia and KTM Back in the Mix?
This year, we saw a significant improvement in KTMs. They have a new carbon fiber chassis that is performing brilliantly, as seen in the Qatar GP and the Portuguese GP. COTA offered a different image, with only Pedro Acosta and his GASGAS KTM machine in the top five; the next KTM rider, Brad Binder, finished ninth. Jack Miller finished slightly behind Binder in the Portuguese GP and 13th in the COTA.
Aprilla is another team that has improved with time. Maverick Vinales leads the charge for Noale Factory. Despite Vinales’ crash at the Portuguese Grand Prix, Aprilla had a decent weekend. Vinales piloting his Aprilia was unstoppable at COTA. Aleix has struggled to equal Vinales, but he is not far.
Yamaha and Honda: Lost at Sea?
Yamaha fans were happy to see Fabio Quartararo in Yamaha overalls for two more years but would not be happy with Yamaha’s performance despite his hefty new contract. He could only manage a 12th in COTA, while on the other side of the box, Alex Rins suffered a DNF in the race. The horror for Honda continues as they scored ZERO points this weekend; only Luca Marini finished the race for Honda. Taka Nakagami, Johann Zarca and Joan Mir all DNF.
Nakagami post race said :
“It’s such a tough moment,” he admitted. “I didn’t expect this pretty bad moment.
“And nobody can solve the problem, nobody can improve it. I don’t know.
“Nothing to say at the moment. I’m disappointed about the performance of… everything… The bike… We are slower than last year.
“This is absolutely impossible to understand.”
With both factories lagging, the question remains: can Yamaha and Honda find the answers to bridge the gap to the frontrunners?
One thing’s for sure the 2024 MotoGP™ season has taken a dramatic turn. Buckle up, because the upcoming races promise to be a nail-biting rollercoaster ride.