Jorge Martin starts the 2024 MotoGP season in impressive fashion, setting the fastest time in the first practice session for the Qatar Grand Prix. The 22 riders headed to the Losail International Circuit on Friday afternoon, after a two-week break since the Qatar test. While most focused on longer runs to get back into the rhythm, lap times gradually improved throughout the session.
Rookie and current Moto2 world champion, Pedro Acosta, had a taste of leading an official MotoGP session, setting a time of 1:53.992s. Ducati riders, Marc Marquez, Jorge Martin, and Enea Bastianini, took turns at the top as times dropped towards the 1:52s mark.
As the session came to a close, riders began preparing for the final attack in the evening’s second practice session. Just as Acosta seemed poised to claim the fastest time, Martin set a commanding lap of 1:52.624s, which remained unbeatable for the rest of the field. This strong performance put Martin, the 2023 runner-up, in a favorable position for the start of the 2024 season.
Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro finished second in FP1, just 0.047s behind Martin, while Acosta held an impressive third place, less than a tenth of a second behind the leader. Marc Marquez took fourth on his Ducati Gresini, followed by Brad Binder in fifth, the first rider to break the 1:53s barrier. Johann Zarco was sixth for LCR Honda, just 0.303s behind Martin.
Enea Bastianini finished seventh, with Fabio Di Gianantonio eighth for VR46 Ducati. Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia completed the top ten for the KTM factory team. Defending world champion, Fabio Quartararo, had a tough session, finishing 19th, while Alex Rins was the fastest Yamaha rider in 15th place.
The new Trackhouse Aprilia team made its debut in MotoGP, with Miguel Oliveira leading his team in 12th place on the 2024 RS-GP. Raul Fernandez was just behind in 14th place on the 2023 specification bike.
