Marc Marquez takes another dramatic sprint win

Factory Ducati rider Marc Marquez strolled unchallenged to a 13th sprint win of the MotoGP season at Balaton Park on Saturday.  

Several major contenders were eliminated at the first corner, in a crash triggered by the Yamaha of Fabio Quartararo. 

Fears that difficulties overtaking around the new circuit would lead to early mayhem proved entirely founded at the start, when the usually clean and measured Quartararo caused carnage with an impossible lunge. 

The out-of-control M1 not only speared Enea Bastianini’s KTM off the road, but also cost front-row starter Marco Bezzecchi a great deal of time as he took evasive action. Pedro Acosta was also compromised as he swerved out of the way – while Quartararo himself was an instant retirement. 

All of this happened just a fraction after leader Marc Marquez had cleared the area, following a good start by the polesitter. That one error of judgement by Quartararo effectively ended the challenge of half the riders that started from the first two rows: Bezzecchi, Bastianini and the Frenchman himself. 

Almost by process of elimination, that left the VR46 riders in second and third. Franco Morbidelli initially led Fabio Di Giannantonio despite starting a row behind him – but Di Giannantonio put a move on his team-mate on the opening lap to secure a second place he would not lose. 

The factory Hondas also benefitted from staying out of trouble, as Luca Marini took up fourth position ahead of Joan Mir. Next up were Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati), Pol Espargaro (Tech3 KTM), Bezzecchi and Gresini’s Alex Marquez. 

Despite threats of battle erupting, changes in the order were thin on the ground for the rest of the race. But overtaking did not prove entirely impossible. A mistake by Mir on lap four allowed Aldeguer to pass him for fifth place. And later, both Alex Marquez and Jorge Martin passed Espargaro to round out the top nine. 

That result gave Martin another point to go with the nine he picked up in the Czech Republic, getting the Aprilia rider into double figures for his injury-ravaged season. 

Francesco Bagnaia managed to finish the race following the difficulties that saw him start from 15th position. But the factory Ducati was only able to gain two spots by the chequered flag. 

A further first-lap incident saw the recovering Bastianini take out Johann Zarco in a similarly optimistic piece of riding to Quartararo’s. Both Bastianini and Quartararo are likely to face penalties when a post-race investigation by the stewards is complete. 

Hungarian Grand Prix – Sprint results