TAKA QUALIFIES FROM Q2 FOR FRENCH GP AT LE MANS

Takaaki Nakagami secured automatic progress to Q2 as he qualified on the fourth row of the grid for the French Grand Prix at Le Mans. The LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider defied pain from his left knee injury to put himself amongst the pacesetters in both of Saturday’s free practice sessions and will now look for a positive result in Sunday’s race.

Sitting in 16th position overnight, the Japanese star ensured he would advance to Q2 in some style as he posted the 7th fastest lap in FP3 and also showed encouraging race pace in FP4 to finish as the leading Honda in 5th. But he could not rediscover his best rhythm in Q2 due to rear grip issues and had to settle for 12th place.