Pedro Acosta took the first pole position during MotoGP World Championship qualifying in Motegi, Japan on Saturday. Riding aboard the Red Bull KTM GASGAS Tech3, the rookie broke George 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 in Saturday’s round two (Q2).
Two-time and defending world champion Francesco Bagnaia was the best of the rest. 1:43.264 on his Lenovo Ducati and Maverick Viñales on the Aprilia Racing 1:43.441 took the third and final spot on the front row.
Two-row qualifiers included Bagnaia’s team-mate Ine Bastianini (1:43.539), Brad Binder on the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (1:43.661) and Franco Morbidelli on the Prama Pramac Racing Ducati (1:43.828).
Morbidelli’s team-mate and championship leader Jorge Martin finished the season eleventh.
Motogp qualifying session Saturday
Further, from Dorna’s press release:
The rookie will start the Japanese GP from pole position alongside Francesco Bagnaia and Maverick Vinales.
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) set a new all-time lap record of 1:43.018 with #31 in an incredible pole position at the Japanese MotoGP Grand Prix. The rookie sensation claimed P1 on the grid and is now the third youngest polesitter in the premier class. Acosta starts with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) It could be a crucial day for the reigning world champion after an impressive final race for #1. Bagnaia was 0.246 seconds off Acosta, joining her on the front row in Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) Good result for #12 – starting third.
Mixed weather under pressure Q2
Q1 was full of drama, with rain spots in the air and lap times improving to the last minute, allowing Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Fabio Quatararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) to secure their place in Q2. It was a terrible start to Q2, with the rain pouring down, as the premier class stars tried to bag a strong first lap. Mark Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) stole the top spot after the opening lap, ahead of Acosta in the #93 as the red sectors continued to appear. Things soon improved for the starter, who soon improved further, claiming provisional pole after the first run.
In the closing minutes, Bagnaia became the next rider to take the top spot before Marc Marquez clocked an incredible 1:42.868 on his second tire. The #93’s fastest lap was taken well beyond those track limits, allowing Acosta to inherit the pole after posting an impressive 1:43.018. Meanwhile, George Martin (Prima Pramak Racing) crashed in the last two minutes – crashed in turn 9.
Martin starts from P11
The second row of the grid will be the leader Ine Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) After an amazing ride from ‘The Beast’. Bastianini was 0.098s away from the front row and in the second row by Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) In fifth place, Motegi continues to be confident. Morbidelli charges from sixth, claiming the final spot on the second row after a Q1 battle.
Pertamina Enduro VR46 racing team Fabio D’Giantantonio He leads the grid from seventh, placing ahead of his teammate. Marco Bezecchi. The Italian duo had a good session with a strong starting point for the Sprint and Sunday. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez was forced to start from ninth for the disappointment of the eight-time world champion, now he has some work to do.
Another hard-working rider is Martin, who qualified in 11.Th #89 was unable to return to the track after the crash. Martin will start in the middle of the talented fourth row, joined. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Quattararo. back, Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Aprilia Racing’s Alex Espargaro He will start in the fifth row and will aim to form in the field.
Saturday’s action isn’t over yet! Be sure to join us at 15:00 local time (UTC +9) when the world’s most exciting sport returns for the unpredictable Tissot Sprint.
 circuit during Qualifying Two (Q2) on Saturday. Two-time and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia was the best of the rest with a 1:43.264 on his Lenovo Ducati, and Maverick Viñales claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:43.441 on his Aprilia Racing. Row-two qualifiers included Bagnaia's teammate Enea Bastianini (1:43.539), Brad Binder on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (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 ranking eleventh. More, from a press release issued by Dorna: The rookie will start the Japanese GP from pole position, starting alongside Francesco Bagnaia and Maverick){kind=link}