MotoGP’s return to Brno got underway on Friday, and it didn’t take long for the lap records to start falling.
While Marc Márquez led the way in FP1, the afternoon belonged to Ai Ogura. The Japanese rider topped Practice with a stunning lap of 1:51.735 and led a session where seven riders broke the previous all-time lap record.
Away from the track, MotoGP also secured a major milestone for its future. This came after all five manufacturers committed to the championship through to the end of 2031.
Marc Márquez Starts Fastest In FP1
The opening session of the Czech Grand Prix weekend provided teams with their first opportunity to evaluate the Brno circuit. With the track being the fastest and flowing on the calendar, much of FP1 focused on understanding grip levels and establishing a base setup.
While the session was filled with crashes, Friday morning belonged to Marc Márquez.
Despite suffering a late fall, the reigning World Champion looked comfortable throughout the session, ending up with a 1:53.303. More importantly, he appeared immediately at ease with the Ducati around Brno’s high-speed layout.
Behind him, Fabio Quartararo continued Yamaha’s encouraging recent form by securing second place. The Frenchman finished just two tenths behind Márquez looking competitive throughout the session.
Raúl Fernández completed the top three for Trackhouse Aprilia, extending the strong form he has shown in recent rounds. Joan Mir delivered one of Honda’s most promising performances of the season in fourth, while Ai Ogura rounded out the top five.
Further down the order, Francesco Bagnaia finished sixth ahead of Fermín Aldeguer and Fabio Di Giannantonio. Pedro Acosta and Luca Marini completed the top ten.
One notable surprise was Championship leader Marco Bezzecchi. The #72 rider struggled to find confidence during the session. Bez finished down in 16th, leaving significant work to do ahead of the all-important afternoon Practice.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for his teammate either. Jorge Martín spent most of the session preparing for Sunday as he has a double long-lap penalty to serve during the race.
Ogura Tops Record-Breaking Friday Practice At Brno
While Marc Márquez led the way in FP1, the afternoon belonged to Ai Ogura.
The crucial Practice session began with immediate trouble for the #93 rider as he suffered his second crash of the day. The Ducati rider lost the front at Turn 11 during the opening stages of the session, bringing a brief end to his run. Fortunately, the crashes happened on left-handers, keeping his recovering right shoulder safe. Ducati rider returned to the track with plenty of time to fight for a place in Q2.
At the front, Aprilia immediately showed its pace. Raúl Fernández was among the early frontrunners before teammate Ogura moved to the top of the timing screens. This briefly gave Trackhouse a one-two at the head of the field.
Bezzecchi soon joined the fight and lowered the benchmark to a 1:52.275, setting a new lap record. Bouncing back from a difficult FP1 where he could only manage 16th, making it one of the strongest recoveries of the day.
As the session entered its second half, more riders started to show their hand. Maverick Viñales moved into the top ten for KTM Tech3, while Joan Mir continued Honda’s encouraging start to the weekend by climbing into the top five. Luca Marini also featured inside the top ten as Honda enjoyed one of its strongest Friday performances of the season.
Pedro Acosta briefly moved to the top of the standings before suffering a technical issue that forced him back to the pits. Smoke could be seen coming from the KTM, bringing his session to a temporary halt. Despite the setback, the Spaniard recovered well and remained firmly in contention for a direct place in Q2.
Ducati’s factory pairing of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez also responded when it mattered most. Having briefly dropped outside the provisional Q2 positions, both riders recovered. They returned to the sharp end of the standings as teams switched their focus towards qualifying simulations.
Marc became the first rider ever to lap Brno in the 1:51s. Despite being the first one, the record continued to fall as conditions improved. Especially after riders fitted fresh tyres for their final time attacks
The final minutes delivered a dramatic fight for the automatic Q2 places. Fabio Di Giannantonio climbed to the top of the timesheets with just four minutes remaining. Meanwhile, the Championship leader responded once again, while his teammate was fighting to hold on to the top 10 spot. However, Diggia nor Bez could match Ogura’s final effort.
The Japanese rider produced a stunning 1:51.735 on his final run to secure top spot and continue his impressive start to the Czech Grand Prix weekend. Bezzecchi finished just 0.091 seconds behind in second, while Di Giannantonio completed the top three. Bagnaia and Marc Márquez rounded out the top five, with only 0.253 seconds separating the leading five riders.
Acosta finished sixth, with Mir taking seventh despite suffering a late fall at Turn 7. Moreira, Fermín Aldeguer and Fernández completed the top ten and secured automatic places in Saturday’s pole shootout.
Late improvements from Diogo Moreira and others proved costly for Martín, who slipped to 11th and missed out on direct progression to Q2.
Seven Riders Rewrite The Brno Record Books
One of the biggest stories from Friday was the incredible pace shown across the field.
By the end of Practice, seven riders had lapped quicker than the previous all-time MotoGP lap record at Brno. Underlining the performance of the current generation of MotoGP machinery.
Ogura’s benchmark lap of 1:51.735 ultimately stood as the new record, but he was far from alone in breaking the previous mark. Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio, Bagnaia, Marc Márquez, Acosta and Mir all went faster than the old benchmark during the session.
The fact that seven riders eclipsed the previous record, demonstrates just how competitive the field has become.
Álex Márquez Returns To Action
One of the biggest stories heading into the Czech Grand Prix weekend was the return of Álex Márquez.
Spaniard had missed out on several Grand Prix weekends following the injuries he sustained in Catalunya. After being cleared by his team in Spain, the Gresini Ducati rider arrived at Brno needing to pass a medical assessment. Which the number #73 passed on Thursday, and he was declared fit to participate in Friday’s running.
For Márquez, the objective was never about immediately fighting at the front. Instead, Friday was about rebuilding confidence and regaining rhythm. He also used the sessions to understand how his body would cope with a full MotoGP schedule after several weeks away from competition.
Álex steadily increased his workload throughout the day and completed the sessions without any major issues. While he finished outside the automatic Q2 positions, the day was a success. Simply returning to competitive action represents an important step in his recovery process.
Having completed Friday successfully, Márquez was cleared to continue for the remainder of the weekend.
Although he missed out on direct progression to Q2, simply being back on track marks an important step in his recovery.
MotoGP And Manufacturers Commit To The Future
Away from the action on track, Friday also delivered major news for the future of the championship.
MotoGP and all five current manufacturers — Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, KTM and Yamaha — officially signed a new agreement. This agreement sees them committing to the series from 2027 until the end of the 2031 season. Providing long-term stability ahead of MotoGP’s new technical regulations, introduced in 2027.
Securing commitments from all five manufacturers represents a significant boost for the championship. Through that, ensuring a stable and competitive grid as MotoGP enters a new era of technical development.
This is also reinforcing the confidence manufacturers continue to have in MotoGP’s global growth and long-term future.
Looking Ahead To Saturday
Friday ended with Ogura on top, but the fight at Brno is far from settled.
Aprilia look strong with Ogura, Bezzecchi and Fernández all progressing directly into Q2. Ducati remain right in the mix with Di Giannantonio, Bagnaia and Marc Márquez all finishing within a quarter of a second of the fastest time.
Acosta demonstrated impressive pace despite his technical issue. While Honda enjoyed one of its strongest Fridays of the season.
With seven riders already beating the previous lap record, the qualifying sessions are going to be competitive.
Feature Image Courtesy of MotoGP