Enthusiasts were all fired up to witness around 82 top riders across the globe participate during the weekend with a single-minded approach of cracking the best possible show. Fast-paced rides, sleepy lean-angles, and nail-biting overtakes captivated audiences like never before. The significance of the Buddh International Circuit in shaping the course of Indian motorsport is immensely noteworthy.
Renowned manufacturers like Honda, KTM, Ducati, Aprilia and Yamaha show their engineering strengths backed up by the skills of their riders. Unfortunately, Suzuki pulled out of the MotoGP championship in 2022, leaving us with five premier manufacturers for the 2023 season. Besides a few exceptional talents in the LCR Honda and Redbull KTM teams, MotoGP is dominated by European riders. KY Ahamed became the very first Indian to compete in the Moto3 World Championship, as he earned a wild card entry into the championship. However, his championship didn't unfold as expected. Indian motorsport might not have a distinctive image at the global level, but very few know that world champion - Pecco Bagnaia, along with other star riders in MotoGP today, were part of Mahindra Racing that had helped them to have a significant leap in their career.
LET THE ACTION BEGIN!
Every new track and venue seems tricky in the first place, as every manufacturer and rider works their way out to find a perfect balance. In the first free practice session, Marco Bezzecchi from the Mooney VR46 Racing Team clocked the fastest lap at 1:45.990. The eight-time champion - Marc Marquez from the Repsol Honda Team finished P2. Marc blends well at new venues and has demonstrated mastery over the new circuit. Brad Binder, known for his top speed record of 366.1 km/h achieved in the Mugello, finished third with a lap time of 1:46.310.
This story is from the October 2023 edition of BBC TopGear India.
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This story is from the October 2023 edition of BBC TopGear India.
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