Phillip Island MotoGP practice: Bezzecchi leads Aprilia charge as Bagnaia and Miller drop into Q1
Marco Bezzecchi topped Friday practice for MotoGP's last Phillip Island race after a collision; Marquez third, Martin fifth, Bagnaia and Miller must go through Q1.
Marco Bezzecchi survived a strange early collision to top Friday afternoon practice at the Australian MotoGP, as Aprilia bikes filled four of the top five places at Phillip Island. Title contenders Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin both went straight into Q2, in third and fifth, but Francesco Bagnaia and home favourite Jack Miller will have to go through Q1 on Saturday.
Bezzecchi fastest after collision and red flags
Bezzecchi set a time of 1m26.775s in the session that decides direct entry to Q2. It was an eventful afternoon for the Italian. Early on, he hit the back of Alex Marquez's Gresini Ducati while braking for Turn 4 and fell into the grass, with debris causing a red flag. A wallaby on the circuit caused another stoppage soon after the restart.
The top 10, who go straight into Q2, were:
- Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) 1m26.775s
- Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) +0.072s
- Marc Marquez (Ducati) +0.126s
- Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia) +0.126s
- Jorge Martin (Aprilia) +0.255s
- Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) +0.375s
- Enea Bastianini (Tech3 KTM) +0.407s
- Pedro Acosta (KTM) +0.433s
- Diogo Moreira (LCR Honda) +0.744s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) +0.756s
Alex Marquez crashed again at Turn 4 with two minutes left but still held on to sixth.
Title fight: Marquez and Martin both safe
Martin arrived in Australia leading Marc Marquez by only two points, so both riders will be pleased to avoid Q1. Marquez topped the morning FP1 session, setting the fastest lap late on older tyres. After the afternoon session, however, his Ducati developed a problem during a practice start, and he returned to the paddock on a scooter. Auto Action said it was not clear how serious the issue was.
Martin was seventh in the morning and improved to fifth in the afternoon, the slowest of the four Aprilias in the top five.
Miller and Bagnaia miss out
Miller had a difficult start to his final home Grand Prix at Phillip Island. He briefly led FP1 on fresh tyres before crashing at Turn 1, and fell again at Turn 6 early in the afternoon. He finished 12th, just 0.067s short of a top-10 place. Johann Zarco (11th), Brad Binder (13th), Bagnaia (14th) and Fabio Quartararo (15th) are also in Q1, where only the top two progress.
Raul Fernandez, who has a hand injury from Indonesia, crashed heavily in FP1 but was unhurt and went on to finish second in the afternoon. Binder had an engine failure in the morning.
This is MotoGP's last visit to Phillip Island for the foreseeable future, with the Australian round moving to an Adelaide street circuit in 2027. Rain and cooler temperatures were forecast for the weekend, according to Crash.net.
Australian MotoGP in Malaysia time
Phillip Island is three hours ahead of Malaysia. Converted from the official local times:
- Saturday 24 October: FP2 7.10am, Qualifying 7.50am, Sprint 12.00pm
- Sunday 25 October: Warm-up 5.40am, Grand Prix 11.00am
Key takeaways
- Bezzecchi topped Friday practice in 1m26.775s despite a crash after hitting Alex Marquez.
- Aprilia riders took four of the top five places.
- Marc Marquez (third) and Jorge Martin (fifth) both go straight to Q2.
- Bagnaia and Jack Miller must go through Q1.
- The sprint starts at 12pm and the Grand Prix at 11am on Sunday, Malaysia time.
FAQ
Who was fastest in Friday practice at Phillip Island? Marco Bezzecchi on the factory Aprilia, with a 1m26.775s lap.
What time is the Australian MotoGP race in Malaysia? The Grand Prix starts at 11am Malaysia time on Sunday, 25 October. The sprint is at 12pm on Saturday.
Why is this the last Phillip Island MotoGP? The Australian round moves to a street circuit in Adelaide from 2027.
Sources: Auto Action, The Race, Crash.net, Free Malaysia Today