Thai MotoGP report card: 2023 Buriram grades for teams and riders

Chang International Circuit was absolutely packed out, particularly on Sunday at the Thai GP. The spectacular MotoGP race brought us a real battle between title contenders Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia, with Brad Binder serving as the third wheel. These three names pass with flying colours, while others fail to meet the mark.

MotoGP Buriram: a perfect Martin

Jorge Martin – 10/10

When he states: “I’ll use the same tyres as Bagnaia” he’s sending a clear message in that, from here on out, the Spaniard will hammer every nail. To see him so convincing bodes well, in that Pecco is in for a battle and we’re in for some real entertainment. Scoring pole position, winning the Sprint before also triumping in the main race, he ran the perfect weekend. HAMMER

Pecco Bagnaia - 9

Quick and efficient over race distance, as if he needed any additional tuning. Does he prefer the main race to the sprint? Not really, in that his problems stem from qualifying, an area on which to work. If he could secure a better grid position, he’d avoid some of the risks. TURBO-DIESEL

Brad Binder – 9.5

He suffered the same fate at Assen, having to “drop position” on two occasions and missing out on two podiums. At Van Drenthe the three-second penalty proved fatal, while this time he reached the top three regardless, though he might regret the millimetric imprecision. DUTCH

Buriram MotoGP, Miller unrecognisable

Takaaki Nakagami – 4.5

Although Japanese, Takaaki was well supported by Idemitsu Asia, the sponsor that celebrated a Moto2 podium with Somkiat Chantra. What’s the difference between the two riders? Their rockstar-esque hair colour and facial hair? Or the category itself? The atmosphere should have helped him, and yet... ASIAN

Jack Miller – 4.5

Unable to reach the points zone in either race, while team-mate Binder reached the podium twice. The Australian has less KTM experience than Brad, but we couldn’t have predicted such a lacklustre performance, considering this is his ninth season in MotoGP. He needs to react, not least because he knows he can win races. INEXPERT

Augusto Fernandez - 4

He’d gladly chomp at the bit but fails to do so. He’d like to be riding a bike that’s more competitive than his GASGAS, perhaps a nice factory Red Bull RC16. But will he ever do so?! The way things are panning out, it looks unlikely. UNCOMFORTABLE