--- title: "Miller, Pedrosa, Zarco Lead Qualifying for the MotoGP Grand Prix of Argentina" description: "Miller, an independent-team MotoGP rider, managed to outdo factory racers on wet qualifying conditions." date: "2018-04-07" modified: "2018-04-08" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19967/miller-pedrosa-zarco-lead-qualifying-for-the-motogp-grand-prix-of-argentina" categories: - "News" tags: - "argentina" - "Marc Márquez" - "MotoGP" - "motorcycle racing" - "News" - "racing" - "Valentino Rossi" --- # Miller, Pedrosa, Zarco Lead Qualifying for the MotoGP Grand Prix of Argentina ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* Alma Pramac Racing's Jack Miller shocked [the world of MotoGP]() by storming to the front of the field during a frantic qualifying session at the Autodromo Termas de Rio Honda in Argentina. Honda Repsol's Dani Pedrosa and Yamaha Tech3's Johann Zarco followed in second and third. Rain began to fall during the last practice session ahead of the first of two rounds of qualifying, which prompted all MotoGP teams to switch to wet tires and wet-weather setups for Q1. Despite a dry line beginning to appear during the closing stages of the session, most riders decided to venture into Q2 with wet tires with the exception of [Marc Marquez](), Miller, and Cal Crutchlow. Despite their valiant efforts, Marquez and Crutchlow didn't have what it took to remain on the circuit and suffer through the drying phase of the outing, which awarded Miller a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity to stick it to the man by remaining on slick tires. ![message-editor%2F1523137913569-gettyimages-943107448.jpg]() *GETTY* ![message-editor%2F1523137920739-gettyimages-943024770.jpg]() *GETTY* While the reigning world champion and others popped back into the pits to switch back to wets, Miller put down the hammer and lapped the 2.9-mile circuit in just 1:47.153 seconds, which was good enough for pole position. Pedrosa almost robbed the Australian of his maiden MotoGP pole, but ended up coming a bit short with a lap time of 1:47.300 seconds. Zarco, who recently stunned everyone [with a pole position in Qatar](), delivered once again with a lap time of 1:47.365 seconds. The Miller-Zarco one-three means that two independent MotoGP teams outran factory teams with budgets many, many times bigger, at least during qualifying. Speaking of underperforming factory teams, the Ducati of Jorge Lorenzo was only good enough for the 14th spot on the grid, which means that he'll be starting behind the two-year-old Ducati of Karel Abraham. Much like Lorenzo and company, [Yamaha's Rossi and Vinales]() couldn't come to terms with the tricky conditions and will start from the 11th and ninth spot on the grid. ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()