Luca Marini will start today’s Portuguese Grand Prix in the middle of the third row after an impressive Saturday at Portimao.&nbs🐭p;

With fellow Ducati rookies Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin both enjoying their own mom🐓ent in the spotlight during both Qatar rounds, it seems Portimao is the turn of Marini who has been quickest of the three from the 📖outset. 

The 2020 Moto2 championship runner-up has looked comfortable from lap one at the Algarve International Circuit, a venue that has good🦹 memories following his second place finish during last year’s Moto2 race. 

And with that said, Marini secured automatic passage into Q2 yesterday, before ev🤡entually taking eighth position in qualifying🍨. 

"I am really very happy with this top 8 place in Q2 and satisfied with the work I am doing with the Team," said 🐻the Sky VR46 rider.  

"I am more comfortable on the bike and we have made a great step f♑orward that we will take from here to the next races." 

Marini went into qualifying ℱfollowing a rapid crash at turn seven during the FP4 session, but thankfully was unhurt and could take part in qualifying. 

With Takaaki Nakagami and Jorge Martꦚin both missing qualifying, including Martin being declared unfit altogether, it was good to see Marini not become ano༺ther rider on the sidelines. 

Marini was showing good pace before the crash and the 23 year-old added: "In the FP4 I kept a good pace and we are close to the fastest guys. It´s a pity th♔e crash, but we will continue to work to make the mos💞t of the warm up."

Next up this morning is the MotoGP warm up session b𓄧efore today’s third race of the year, where Marini will be looking to secure his first points of the 2021 campaign.