Toprak Razgatlioglu, a rookie rider in MotoGP, achieved a surprising third position during the practice sessions of the Brazilian Grand Prix, taking place in Goiania under difficult weather conditions.
In what is his second appearance as a MotoGP rider, Razgatlioglu shone despite the rain, recording a time just three tenths behind leader Johann Zarco. This result secures him a direct place in Q2 qualifying for Sunday’s race.
His performance contrasts with his debut in Thailand, where he finished in twenty-first place. The Turkish rider, with a notable career in the World Superbike Championship, expressed his surprise at his performance, stating that despite the good result, he keeps his feet on the ground and focuses on the upcoming qualifying.
“I went back to the box and saw I was in the top three, it surprised me, but I was smiling,” said Razgatlioglu. “I don’t want to make a big celebration, but focus on tomorrow, as this is only Friday.”
This circuit, which had not been treaded for two decades, has presented new challenges for all riders, and the conditions with intermittent rain have further complicated the situation. Razgatlioglu acknowledged that his adaptation to the new Yamaha M1 still needs improvement, indicating that his performance is more a consequence of the conditions than his comfort with the bike.
Furthermore, the director of the Pramac team, Gino Borsoi, praised Razgatlioglu’s adaptability in conditions he was unfamiliar with, highlighting the great talent of the Turkish rider. “It’s the first time he has to understand how to use the rain tire and the electronics in these conditions,” Borsoi commented.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
