The opening Free Practice session for the MotoGP™ field at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas has concluded with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) astonishing the field, ending Free Practice quickest after a remarkable pace throughout the entire session. Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) carries form from Portugal – improving on the final lap to secure second in the results. Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Pedro Acosta continued to amaze the field in America, rounding out the top three after becoming the first rider to enter the 2:03 bracket this weekend.
BatMav gets it done! ✅
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) April 12, 2024
Top Gun takes the first honours of the weekend! 🔝#AmericasGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/fq3nMah5uL
Viñales' strong 2:03.294 was four-tenths clear of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), who found good pace on the factory Ducati, ending the session ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) who rounded out the top five.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder had a brilliant start to the weekend in sixth – with the South African ending the session 0.039 quicker than Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) in seventh. The previous king of COTA, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), occupied the top spot with 20 minutes to go but would finish eighth as the chequered flag flew. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) could not further improve from a time set earlier in the session, finishing ahead of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Fabio Di Giannantonio, who rounded out the top 10.
Welcome back to the rodeo, @FabioQ20 🤠
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) April 12, 2024
That one just needed a little shaking off 💨#AmericasGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FsnVOIoHoJ
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) outside the top 10 - ending a tight Free Practice 1 in 11th. The reigning World Champion was ahead of Fabio Quartararo, who wrestled the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ machine to 14th position - finishing behind teammate Alex Rins. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was 20th at the end of the session after suffering a crash at turn 12 in the early stages of the day.
MotoGP™ will return to action at 15:00 local time (UTC -5) to decide who will go through to the all important Q2, so make sure you don’t miss any of the action on motogp.com!
Top 10:
| 1 | Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) | 2:03.294 |
| 2 | Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) | +0.149 |
| 3 | Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) | +0.312 |
| 4 | Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) | +0.406 |
| 5 | Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) | +0.518 |
| 6 | Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) | +0.571 |
| 7 | Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) | +0.610 |
| 8 | Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | +0.709 |
| 9 | Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) | +0.916 |
| 10 | Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) | +0.932 |
FULL RESULTS!