Pedro Acosta earned his first pole position during MotoGP World Championship qualifying on Saturday at Motegi, in Japan. Riding his Red Bull KTM GASGAS Tech3 RC16, the rookie broke Jorge Martin’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record Of 1:43.198 with a new time of 1:43.018 around the 2.9-mile (4.8 km) circuit during Qualifying Two (Q2) on Saturday.
Row-two qualifiers included Bagnaia’s Lenovo Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini (1:43.539), Brad Binder on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16 (1:43.661), and Franco Morbidelli on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati (1:43.828).
Morbidelli’s teammate and Championship Leader Jorge Martin finished the session ranked 11th on his Ducati.
Motogp qualifying session saturday
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
The rookie will start the Japanese GP from pole position, starting alongside Francesco Bagnaia and Maverick Viñales.
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) has powered to an incredible pole position at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, with the #31 setting a new all-time lap record – clocking a 1:43.018. The rookie sensation claimed P1 on the grid and now becomes the third youngest polesitter in the premier class. Acosta will start alongside Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in what could be a crucial day for the reigning World Champion after a phenomenal final run for the #1. Bagnaia was a mere 0.246s adrift from Acosta and will be joined on the front row by Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) in a great result for the #12 – starting from third.
Mixed weather in a tense Q2
Q1 was filled with drama, with spots of rain in the air and lap times improving into the final minute, allowing Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) to earn their spot in Q2. It was a frantic start to Q2, with rain falling, the premier class stars tried to bag a strong early lap. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) stole the top spot after the opening lap, with red sectors continuing to appear as the #93 improved ahead of Acosta. Things soon got better for the rookie, who soon improved further, claiming provisional pole after his first run.
In the closing minutes, Bagnaia began to claw back time on his second tyre, becoming the next rider to take the top spot before Marc Marquez clocked an unbelievable 1:42.868. The #93’s fastest lap was then taken away due to exceeding track limits, allowing Acosta to inherit pole after posting an impressive 1:43.018. Meanwhile, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) crashed in the final two minutes – falling at Turn 9.
Martin starts from P11
Heading the second row of the grid will be Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) after an incredible ride from ‘The Beast’. Bastianini was 0.098s adrift from the front row and will be joined on the second row by Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in fifth, continuing to look confident at Motegi. Morbidelli will charge from sixth, claiming the final spot on the second row after fighting from Q1.
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Fabio Di Giannantonio heads from seventh on the grid, placing ahead of his teammate Marco Bezzecchi. The Italian duo had a great session, bagging a strong starting point for the Sprint and Sunday. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez is forced to start from ninth to the disappointment of the eight-time World Champion, who now has some work to do.
Another rider with a tough task ahead is Martin, qualifying in 11th after the #89 was unable to return to track after his crash. Martin will start in the middle of a talented fourth row, joined by Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Quartararo. Further back, Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro will start on the fifth row and will also be aiming to carve through the field.
Saturday’s action is not over yet! Make sure you join us at 15:00 local time (UTC +9) as the world’s most exciting sport returns for an unpredictable Tissot Sprint!