MotoGP: Crutchlow leaves it to late to top Q1 ahead of Petrucci

The Briton’s final flying lap was enough to secure a place in Q2 where he’ll be joined by Petrucci

LCR Castrol Honda’s Cal Crutchlow came out on top in a fiercely competitive Q1 at the Shell Malaysian Grand Prix thanks to his final flying lap, just ahead of Ducati Team’s Danilo Petrucci. As the Australian Grand Prix podium finisher started his final flying lap, Petrucci and Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Joan Mir were sat first and second but a late 1:59.216 from the Briton was enough to book a place in Q2.

Mir was the unfortunate one to miss out in third and will subsequently start tomorrow’s Malaysian Grand Prix thirteenth. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) also deserves a mention as he was also unlucky to miss out after pushing hard on his final flying lap before eventually ending fourth and, therefore, fourteenth on the grid.