Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Deniz Öncü has booked his place in Moto3™ Q2 at the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich with the fastest lap of FP3. The Turkish rider clocked a 1:41.285 in the final time attack phase of the session at the Red Bull Ring - Spielberg as overcame the likes of Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) and Izan Guevara (AutoSolar GASGAS Aspar Team) in the battle for Saturday morning honours. Sasaki had gone quicker, but the lap in question would not count due to a breach of track limits and he officially missed out on top spot by just 0.026 seconds.
How FP3 was decided
With the threat of rain holding off, the riders who had not been able to get into the combined top 14 on Friday had another chance to try and earn a bye past Q1. However, it took more than 10 minutes for there to be any change to top 14 and when there was, it was Sasaki creeping up the order. He eventually reset the fastest lap of the weekend in setting a 1:41.311 just past the half-hour mark, as the rest were coming out for the final runs, before Öncü took over top spot with less than four minutes remaining.
Sasaki set a 1:40.965 with the chequered flag out and while the time was scrubbed off, he would be classified second anyway, and therefore safely into Q2. Guevara and fellow AutoSolar GASGAS Aspar Team rider Sergio Garcia initially looked in some danger of missing the cut but would eventually do enough to take third and fifth respectively, with lap times of 1:41.442 and 1:41.717. Splitting the top two in the World Championship is another of the title contenders, with Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) fourth on a late 1:41.673.
The always exciting @Denizoncu53 tops #Moto3 free practice! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) August 20, 2022
He'll lead them into qualifying! ????#AustrianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/huEu1g2dY7
Who else made Q2, and who missed out?
Sixth through 10th all-told were Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI), John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max), Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team), Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo), and Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power). Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) earned 11th despite a crash at the Turn 2b section of the new chicane with five minutes to go, with the rest of the all-important top 14 being Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse), David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), and Scott Ogden (BOE Motorsports).
Tense moment for @jaume_masia! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) August 20, 2022
He tried saving the highside but had to ditch it in the gravel! ????#AustrianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/UbDefLPOvK
Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets - MSI) was 0.015 seconds slower in 15th position, and Tatsuki Suzuki was another notable to miss out. The Leopard Racing rider failing to improve on his FP2 time after a crash at Turn 3 and was shuffled back to 16th on combined times by the end of FP3. FP1 pace-setter Andre Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) is also going into Q1 after finishing 18th-fastest overall.
Öncü claimed pole at the Red Bull Ring in last year’s Styrian GP; can he do it again this weekend? Q1 starts later on Saturday at 12:35 (GMT +2).
Moto3™ Combined Top 10:
1. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) – 1:41.285
2. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) + 0.026
3. Izan Guevara (AutoSolar GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.157
4. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) + 0.352
5. Sergio Garcia (AutoSolar GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.432
6. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) + 0.435
7. John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) + 0.438
8. Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) + 0.442
9. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.538
10. Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) + 0.596