KTM Star Delivers Statement Performance as Rivals Scramble Behind
Pedro Acosta delivered a commanding performance on the opening day of action at the Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing Friday at the top of the timesheets and establishing himself as the benchmark heading into Sprint qualifying at Balaton Park.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider was the only competitor to break into the 1’36 bracket, setting a blistering 1:36.827 to finish more than four tenths clear of the chasing pack. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) secured second place, with Raúl Fernández (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) completing an all-KTM-converged top three for the day’s combined Practice results.
It was a performance that underlined KTM’s growing competitiveness at a circuit that places heavy demands on braking stability, acceleration out of tight corners, and rider confidence through technical direction changes.
Early Running Sets the Tone at Balaton Park
Fast Start from Aldeguer Before Acosta Takes Control
As Practice got underway, teams immediately focused on securing a place inside the top 10 to guarantee direct entry into Q2.
Fermín Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) made one of the early statements of intent, briefly holding top spot as he continued rebuilding full race fitness following recent setbacks. His pace suggested confidence returning, particularly through the middle sector where traction is crucial at Balaton Park.
However, midway through the session, Acosta began to assert himself. The Spaniard, who had already shown strong pace in Free Practice 1 behind Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), steadily improved his times and moved into P1 with just over half the session completed.
At that stage, Márquez sat second overall, maintaining his reputation for immediate competitiveness at new or revised circuits.
Mid-Session Shake-Up and Growing Pressure
Riders Scramble as Q2 Picture Begins to Form
As the clock ticked below 20 minutes remaining, the intensity ramped up significantly across the field.
One of the standout early surprises came from Iker Lecuona (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), stepping in as a WorldSBK substitute and breaking into the top ten with an impressive P9 lap. His performance briefly disrupted the established order and highlighted how closely matched machinery can be around Balaton Park.
Behind him, several riders began improving in quick succession:
- Diogo Moreira (LCR Honda) moved into Q2 contention
- Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) found strong late-session pace
- Enea Bastianini also climbed into provisional Q2 positions
At the same time, established contenders found themselves under pressure. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) all required late flying laps to avoid Q1 elimination.
Late Drama as Q2 Places Are Decided
Final Push Produces High Stakes and One Major Crash
With five minutes remaining, the session reached its peak intensity as riders launched final attempts to secure automatic Q2 entry.
Luca Marini briefly moved into P7, while Bagnaia improved to P8, keeping both factory Ducati riders safe at that stage. Diogo Moreira also responded strongly after dropping briefly outside the top ten, climbing back into sixth with a decisive lap.
However, the session also delivered one of its key setbacks when Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed just as he was preparing a push for a top-ten position, ending his chances of improving.
Despite multiple late improvements, nobody could challenge Acosta’s benchmark.
Friday Standings: Acosta Leads the Way
KTM Rider Sets Benchmark Lap of the Day
The final classification confirmed Acosta’s dominance:
- P1 Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – 1:36.827
- P2 Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Racing Team) +0.4s
- P3 Raúl Fernández (Trackhouse MotoGP Team)
Behind the top three:
- P4 Fermín Aldeguer
- P5 Ai Ogura
- P6 Marco Bezzecchi
- P7 Marc Márquez
- P8 Diogo Moreira
- P9 Jorge Martín
- P10 Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP)
Notably, all four Aprilia riders managed to progress directly into Q2, underlining consistent performance across the factory and satellite programmes.
Big Names Headed for Q1 Battle
Tight Margins Leave Major Contenders on the Back Foot
Friday’s results also left several big names facing a tougher route into Saturday’s qualifying sessions.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) narrowly missed Q2 in 11th place, just 0.054s ahead of Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), who continues to adapt impressively to MotoGP machinery.
Further back, Francesco Bagnaia could only manage 14th, while Enea Bastianini finished 15th. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) ended the day in 16th, highlighting the tight margins separating factory riders from Q2 progression.
Even Lecuona’s standout performance ended in 17th, despite being within a few tenths of the top ten.
The spread from first to Q1 cutoff highlighted just how competitive the Balaton Park layout has proven, with minimal room for error across a single flying lap.
Moto2: González Sets Record Pace
Championship Leader Extends Advantage on Friday
In Moto2, Manuel González (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) delivered a dominant display, setting a new all-time lap record with a 1:40.229.
The Spaniard finished two tenths clear of David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), with Filip Salač (American Racing Team) a further tenth behind in third.
Celestino Vietti (MB Conveyors SpeedRS Team) was the major disappointment of the day, missing out on direct Q2 qualification after an issue in the closing stages of Practice. As one of the championship contenders, he now faces a difficult Q1 session.
Elsewhere, Daniel Muñoz impressed with fourth, while rookie Alberto Ferrández continued his strong adaptation to Moto2 machinery in fifth.
Izan Guevara also recovered from an early crash to secure Q2 progression with 11th place.
Moto3: Quiles Takes Commanding Friday Top Spot
Spanish Rider Leads Competitive Opening Day
Máximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) topped Moto3 Practice with a commanding performance at Balaton Park, setting a 1:46.269 that stood unbeaten throughout the session.
The rookie and rising star finished more than three tenths clear of the field, responding strongly after a difficult outing at Mugello.
Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) secured second, while David Almansa (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) completed the top three despite returning from illness.
Behind them, David Muñoz and Joel Kelso rounded out a competitive top five, with Casey O’Gorman taking sixth after one of his strongest Friday performances of the season.
Several notable names also progressed directly into Q2, including Guido Pini and Alvaro Carpe, while reigning race winner Brian Uriarte will face Q1 after finishing 18th.
Friday Verdict: Acosta Sets the Standard
With Pedro Acosta delivering the standout performance of the day across all classes, Friday at Balaton Park firmly established KTM as the team to beat heading into Sprint qualifying.
With tight margins across the entire MotoGP field and multiple big names heading into Q1, Saturday promises an unpredictable and high-stakes battle for grid positions ahead of the Hungarian Sprint.
