MotoGP™ is back for the legendary Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, with an instant hot pace and a dramatic Free Practice 1 where Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) topped the pile after setting a magnificent 1:29.654. The #89 was ahead of his Prima Pramac Racing teammate Franco Morbidelli, who led most of the session – crossing the line in second position. The Italian ended a strong start to the weekend and was later announced to join the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team for the 2025 season. Behind Morbidelli in third was Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as the clock hit zero and the #44 prepared to return to the grid this weekend, competing as a wildcard at KTM’s home round.
It's a @pramacracing 1-2 in FP1! 🙌@88jorgemartin draws first blood in Spielberg ahead of @FrankyMorbido12 👊#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/h83d9w7vGA
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 16, 2024
Securing fourth on Friday morning was Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), ending the session 0.310s adrift from Martin’s benchmark. Meanwhile, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a dramatic morning, finishing in fifth after suffering an early fall at Turn 2b. Another rider who had their own drama during the session was Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), with the #31 crashing twice during the session, with his second at Turn 4 briefly bringing out the red flag. The rookie ends the morning ahead of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), with the Spaniard finishing as the only Aprilia inside the top 10.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was eighth, ahead of Repsol Honda Team’s Joan Mir, who took a strong ninth in a solid start to the Austrian GP. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) claimed the final spot inside the top 10, while Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) could only place 18th. It was also a tough morning for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), with the Spaniard crashing twice during the session at Turn 2a and Turn 2b. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) also suffered a fall on Friday morning, crashing at Turn 3 in the opening stages.
A scary one for @37_pedroacosta at T4! 😱😱😱
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 16, 2024
The session has been red-flagged after the rookie's second crash 🔴#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/k5vCP60fD9
The unpredictable battle for a spot in Q2 will commence at 15:00 local time (UTC +2) with MotoGP™ Practice, so make sure you tune in and keep up to date with everything on motogp.com!
Top 10:
| 1 | Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) | 1:29.654 |
| 2 | Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) | +0.218 |
| 3 | Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) | +0.290 |
| 4 | Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) | +0.310 |
| 5 | Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) | +0.582 |
| 6 | Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) | +0.629 |
| 7 | Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) | +0.646 |
| 8 | Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) | +0.685 |
| 9 | Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) | +0.734 |
| 10 | Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | +0.746 |