Jake Dixon qualified 2^nd for Sunday’s race at the Lusail International Circuit with a fantastic late time in Q2, while Filip Salac made significant improvements on Saturday to place 8^th.

It was another day of contrasts outside Doha in Qatar on qualifying day as FP2 got underway in scorching track temperatures of 55 degrees.

With the sun going down, it had cooled considerably by the time qualifying kicked off at 18.45 local time. Track temperatures had fallen to 34 degrees in Q2, which favoured Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders Jake Dixon and Filip Salac.

The Q2 qualifying session was red flagged just after the chequered flag was shown due to a huge crash for Mario Aji exiting the final corner.

Jake Dixon, 2nd – 1’56.469

After suffering a fast crash at the close of Practice on Friday evening, Jake soon found his feeling again in FP2, when he placed 5^th.

The Briton felt his way into the Q2 session, and had something in reserve during his first time-attack which had him sat in 8^th.

But the 29-year remained calm ahead of his final run. Using the tow of his team-mate ahead, Jake was under the previous lap record by 0.3s to clinch 2^nd, just 0.1s off pole position.

“I haven’t been the fastest guy out there but I’ve still been really enjoying myself on the bike”

“It was a fantastic day! It’s been a great weekend to be fair. I’ve just been chipping away at it. I haven’t been the fastest guy out there but I’ve still been really enjoying myself on the bike and having a great time and just always trying to extract the maximum from myself and the bike. Whether that puts you 1^st or 10^th, you can’t do more than that. It’s the same tomorrow. I’ll give my best and then we’ll see where we end up. I’d like to fight among the top five like always. It’s been our objective in every race so far this year and it’s what we’re aiming for tomorrow. If we manage to do that, it’ll be a great day.”

Filip Salac, 8^th – 1’56.912

In the hot afternoon conditions, Filip was far from comfortable in FP2 and didn’t have a great feeling with the front end of his bike as he finished 22^nd.

However, his team did a fantastic job in improving his bike for the evening session. For the 3^rd race weekend in succession, the Czech rider passed through Q1 after setting the 2^nd fastest time.

The 23-year old then went on to set his fastest lap time in Q2 when leading his team-mate. His excellent effort was good enough for 8^th and was over 1 full second quicker than his personal best from Friday evening.

“The guys did an amazing job. They prepared and amazing bike for qualifying”

“It was a good day. This afternoon the feeling was not perfect. The pace in the hot conditions was not good and we were struggling with the front part of our bike. Then in Q1 it was the first time attack this weekend when I felt under control and calm. I went through. In Q2 on my first run I had a big moment in Turn 15 when (Alonso) Lopez braked quite a lot in front of me. I didn’t expect it and touched him. I think it was the best save of my life! The feelings are good. I did my lap time alone and I helped Jake in the process. So, I hope he splits his prize money with me! The guys did an amazing job. They prepared an amazing bike for qualifying – the feeling was completely different to yesterday and this afternoon. I’m looking forward to the race tomorrow as it will be closer to this time in the evening and we’ll be fast!”