Friday at the Brazilian Grand Prix turned into exactly the kind of unpredictable day many had expected, with changing weather conditions playing a major role in how the opening running unfolded at Goiânia. When the dust settled after a disrupted and rain-hit Practice session, it was Johann Zarco who ended the day fastest for LCR Honda, edging out Marc Marquez and an impressive Toprak Razgatlioglu, who continued to turn heads in his rookie MotoGP campaign.
While some riders made the most of the early dry window, others were caught out as the rain arrived at the worst possible moment—none more so than Marco Bezzecchi, who will now have to fight his way through Q1 after a frustrating session.
Early urgency as riders chase dry laps
With dark clouds looming over the circuit, there was no hesitation when the session began. Riders immediately pushed to set competitive lap times on slick tyres, knowing that conditions could deteriorate at any moment.
Even early on, the track wasn’t perfect. Damp patches lingered in key braking zones, making grip unpredictable and forcing riders to take risks if they wanted to secure a place in the top ten.
That gamble didn’t pay off for everyone. Brad Binder was one of the first to fall, losing the front at Turn 4. It quickly became clear that this corner in particular was catching riders out, as both Jack Miller and local favourite Diogo Moreira also crashed at the same spot. Fortunately, none of the incidents resulted in serious consequences, but they were a reminder of how tricky the surface was becoming.
Zarco times it perfectly to take P1
As the session settled into a rhythm, Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez were among the early pace-setters, trading fastest laps as the track continued to evolve. But it was Zarco who delivered when it mattered most.
The Frenchman put together a clean and confident lap of 1:21.257, which ultimately proved untouchable once the rain intensified. It was a classic case of being in the right place at the right time—maximising the best of the conditions before they slipped away.
Behind him, Marquez slotted into second, showing strong and consistent pace throughout the session without quite finding that final fraction needed to go quickest. Still, it was another encouraging performance after his unlucky end to the race in Thailand.
Razgatlioglu continues to impress
Perhaps the standout story of the day, however, was Toprak Razgatlioglu. The Turkish rookie once again demonstrated just how quickly he is adapting to MotoGP machinery, placing himself firmly inside the top three during the crucial early phase of the session.
Riding for Pramac Yamaha, Razgatlioglu looked comfortable in conditions that caught out far more experienced riders. His ability to read the track and extract performance in mixed conditions suggests that his transition from WorldSBK is progressing faster than many expected.
Securing a direct place in Q2 is a significant step, particularly at a brand-new circuit where confidence is key.
Rain arrives at the worst possible time for some
Just past the halfway mark, the weather took a decisive turn. Rain began to fall more heavily across the circuit, effectively ending any chance of improving lap times.
For riders outside the top ten, it was a major blow. Marco Bezzecchi, who had been unable to put together a clean lap earlier in the session, found himself stuck down in 20th place when conditions worsened. With the track no longer improving, his chances of jumping into Q2 disappeared.
He did attempt one final run when the rain eased slightly in the closing minutes, even heading out on slick tyres in a last-ditch effort. But with grip still inconsistent and time running out, it was always a long shot. A small mistake into Turn 10 ended that attempt, and with it any realistic hope of a late improvement.
Raul Fernandez endured a similarly difficult session, also missing out on the top ten and leaving a significant amount of work to do in qualifying.
Friday’s top ten set the tone
Behind Zarco, Marquez, and Razgatlioglu, the timesheets reflected just how competitive the field remains.
Jorge Martin secured fourth place after showing strong early pace, while championship leader Pedro Acosta continued his solid form with fifth. Alex Marquez completed the top six, putting in a steady performance in tricky conditions.
Fabio Quartararo gave Yamaha something to smile about in seventh, while Fermin Aldeguer produced one of the most impressive rides of the day. Still recovering from injury and without the benefit of full pre-season testing, he guided his Ducati to eighth place—an effort that underlined both his determination and raw ability.
Francesco Bagnaia squeezed into ninth, ensuring he avoided the Q1 scrap, while Ai Ogura rounded out the top ten to secure his place in Q2.
Sprint Saturday set for more unpredictability
If Friday was anything to go by, the rest of the weekend could be just as unpredictable. Weather forecasts suggest that conditions may continue to play a role, which would keep teams guessing and reward those who can adapt quickly.
With qualifying and the Sprint race both scheduled for Saturday, track position will be crucial—and as seen already, timing could be everything.
Moto2: Arbolino leads the way in chaotic conditions
Earlier in the day, Moto2 experienced its own share of changing conditions. Tony Arbolino emerged fastest overall, making the most of a dry afternoon session after a damp and inconsistent morning.
Manuel Gonzalez continued his strong start to the season by finishing second, just ahead of David Alonso, who completed the top three despite the challenging conditions.
There were also a number of surprise performances. Rookie Angel Piqueras impressed with fourth place, while Mario Aji maintained his solid form to take fifth. Celestino Vietti looked competitive as well but was hampered by a late technical issue.
Several big names, however, were left outside the top 14, including Senna Agius, Aron Canet, and Daniel Holgado. All three will now have to fight their way through Q1, adding another layer of intrigue to Saturday’s action.
Moto3: Almansa edges tight battle at the top
Moto3 once again delivered a closely contested session, with David Almansa finishing fastest by the narrowest of margins.
The Spaniard’s best lap put him just ahead of Cormac Buchanan, with only a few thousandths separating the two. Rookie Veda Pratama continued his impressive form by securing third, confirming his potential at this early stage of the season.
Conditions improved compared to the morning, allowing for quicker lap times in the afternoon session. Even so, the field remained incredibly tight, with multiple riders within striking distance of the top spot.
A number of less experienced riders also stood out, taking advantage of the unfamiliar circuit to make their mark. With no one holding a clear advantage at Goiânia, Moto3 looks set for another unpredictable qualifying session.
A wide-open weekend continues to unfold
Friday’s action confirmed what many suspected heading into Brazil: this weekend is going to be anything but straightforward.
With changing weather, a brand-new circuit, and a tightly matched field, the margins are incredibly small. Zarco may have struck first, but with qualifying and the Sprint still to come, the order could change very quickly.
If the opening day is any indication, Goiânia is set to deliver plenty more surprises before the weekend is over.
