A late 1:29.838 lap saw Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) lead MotoGP™ Free Practice 1 by 0.399s at the CryptoDATA Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, as the Frenchman leads long-time session pacesetter and compatriot Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™). Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) rounded out the top three on Friday morning.
The first lap under the 1:30 barrier secures @JohannZarco1 top spot! 👏#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/7UdRlGYTLl
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 18, 2023
Despite an early issue on the front end of his Ducati, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) finished P4 in the opening premier class stint of the weekend, with Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) completing the top five. World Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) sits P8 heading into Practice on Friday afternoon.
Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) crashed unhurt at Turn 2A as the reigning Moto2™ World Champion tucked the front when chasing Viñales. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was another rider to crash, the eight-time World Champion ran into the gravel at Turn 4 and couldn’t keep his RC213V upright with four minutes of the session left.
A harmless tip-off for @marcmarquez93 at Turn 4! 💥
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 18, 2023
One of the trickiest braking points on the calendar ⚠️#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/l7hL3rHkI1
Tune into MotoGP™ Practice at 15:00 local time (GMT+2) to see the top 10 shootout unfold at the Red Bull Ring.
Top 10:
| 1 | Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) | 1:29.838 |
| 2 | Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) | + 0.399 |
| 3 | Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) | + 0.411 |
| 4 | Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | + 0.448 |
| 5 | Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) | + 0.467 |
| 6 | Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | + 0.469 |
| 7 | Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) | + 0.500 |
| 8 | Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) | + 0.529 |
| 9 | Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) | + 0.538 |
| 10 | Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) | + 0.591 |