A 1’44.857 saw Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) lead the way after an impressive opening session of the weekend in Japan. The #63 bounced back from his difficulties over the last two weekends in Barcelona and Misano and came out the blocks fighting on Friday, finishing ahead of Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) and Championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team).
Pecco was the first rider into the 1’44s and led for much of the session until teammate Marc took over with just under 15 minutes remaining on the clock. The #63 struck back against his Championship-leading teammate with just nine minutes to go, growing in confidence after a bruising last couple of rounds. Both GP25s were in good shape throughout FP1 but it was Bagnaia who returned to the top of standings. Improving in the final five minutes, reigning Champion Martin moved into P2 ahead of Marc, whilst Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) secured fourth ahead of a fast Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), top Honda at the manufacturer’s home GP.
Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was sixth but a late faller at Turn 5. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) followed him into the gravel in similar fashion moments later; the Australian took P8, both split by Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who was the best for the Austrian manufacturer. It was a best session of 2025 for Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) who took ninth and was second Honda home, whereas Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) rounded out the top ten.
Less than five minutes into the session and there was already drama for Misano star Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) and fellow Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team). ‘Bez’ fell at Turn 11 under braking whilst Fernandez crashed at Turn 8, both having just set their third laps of the session. Managing to get back out, the day got worse for Bezzecchi, crashing for a second time, this time at Turn 5, another downhill right-hander.
There was more drama at the end of the session, this time for Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) who crashed at Turn 10. It wasn’t a session to remember for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who came away with 16th, just one place behind the rider second in the Championship overall, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP).
Full MotoGP FP1 results from Motegi!
AloJapan.com