After just ten minutes of the first session in Japan, the weather played a tricky game with the MotoGP riders. World champions Bagnaia and Jorge Martin were once again at the forefront, even under challenging conditions.
As soon as the MotoGP team departed from the paddock in Indonesia, speculation arose regarding the potentially unstable weather for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. When the top-class pilots first entered the Twin Ring in Motegi, it became apparent that the weather was indecisive.
With an air temperature of 25 degrees, dry asphalt, but dense clouds and minimal dark spots on the track from the recent rain, the conditions were far from clear.
As expected, Trackhouse Aprilia rider Miguel Oliveira was absent from the track due to a wrist injury sustained during the first training session in Indonesia. The Portuguese will be replaced by Lorenzo Savadori. Additionally, a third Yamaha joined the lineup, with Remy Gardner participating in the races in Japan for developmental purposes.
A familiar scene unfolded on the track after the first ten minutes. Pramac Ducati star Jorge Martin took the lead in the first free practice session. Following closely behind was the world champion and primary challenger to the #89, Pecco Bagnaia. Two more Ducati GP23s trailed, piloted by Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc Marquez. Bagnaia then managed to set an even slightly faster lap, allowing the number 1 bike to take the lead.
As soon as all the riders completed their opening laps, umbrellas were raised in Motegi. A light rain began to fall, prompting the field to return to the pit area. With the track slightly damp, the risk of using slick tires became too high. Conversely, it wasn’t wet enough to utilize rain tires on the circuit. Team officials and managers looked uncertainly at the gloomy sky over Japan.
This gave athletes enough time to remove their helmets. Several riders, including Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia, and Taka Nakagami, who is participating in his last home GP as a regular rider, designed and showcased elaborate special designs for the 16th GP of the year.
At the halfway mark of the 45-minute session, silence reigned on the track. The results list was still meaningful, as all riders had exerted considerable effort in their first laps. Bagnaia and Martin clocked times around 1:45, comparable to the first free practice session on Friday under regular conditions a year prior. At this stage, 13 other riders were within a second of them.
While it was too early to celebrate, Honda had also made a strong impression with Joan Mir and Johann Zarco in 7th and 8th places, respectively. Veteran Taka Nakagami quickly found his rhythm, securing twelfth place, just 0.8 seconds behind.
Jack Miller, riding the best KTM, occupied 5th place with starting number 43. Pedro Acosta, who had previously garnered much acclaim for Tech3 and KTM in Indonesia, was positioned in 13th.
Ten minutes before the session concluded, the calm was disrupted. Some riders ventured back onto the track with slicks that had lost their tread. Thanks to the warm weather, the asphalt had nearly dried completely, although moisture still lingered in the air above the Mobility Resort.
To the riders’ frustration, the session ended again with rain flags. No further time improvements were feasible. The 23 participants had only a few laps to calibrate on the 4.8 km-long stop-and-go track. The anticipation heightened ahead of the qualifying session in the afternoon, as drivers would need to give their all to qualify for Q2. For all competitors, this would be a high-stakes gamble starting at 3 p.m. local time (8 a.m. CEST).
After the session concluded, all drivers returned to the track. The schedule included a 10-minute session for test starts.
Results MotoGP Motegi, FP1 (October 4th):
1. Francesco Bagnaia (I), Ducati, 1:45.209 min
2. Jorge Martin (E), Ducati, +0.109
3. Fabio Di Giannantonio (I), Ducati, +0.380
4. Marc Marquez (E), Ducati, +0.572
5. Jack Miller (AUS) KTM, +0.573
6. Marco Bezzecchi (I), Ducati, +0.705
7. Joan Mir (E), Honda, +0.722
8. Johann Zarco (F), Honda, +0.740
9. Maverick Vinales (E), Aprilia, +0.750
10. Enea Bastianini (I) Ducati, +0.759
11. Alex Marquez (E), Ducati, +0.776
12. Takaki Nakagami (J), Honda, +0.828
13. Pedro Acosta (L), KTM, +0.853
14. Alex Rins (E), Yamaha, +0.881
15. Aleix Espargaro (E), Aprilia, +0.893
16. Brad Binder (ZA), KTM, +1.036
17. Fabio Quartararo (F), Yamaha, +1.087
18. Franco Morbidelli (I), Ducati, +1.232
19. Luca Marini (I), Honda, +1.251
20. Raul Fernandez (E), Aprilia, +1.778
21. Augusto Fernandez (E), KTM, +1.829
22. Lorenzo Savadori (I), Aprilia, +3.433
23. Remy Gardner (AUS), Yamaha, +4.997
MotoGP Japan: Weather Challenges and Race Highlights
After just ten minutes of the first session in Japan, the weather played a dirty trick on the MotoGP riders. World champions Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin were again at the top, even in the difficult conditions.
Unpredictable Weather Leads to Uncertain Conditions
As soon as the MotoGP entourage had cleared the paddock in Indonesia, speculation began about the highly unsettled weather at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. When the premier class pilots entered the Twin Ring in Motegi for the first time, it seemed like the weather couldn’t make its own decision.
With an air temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, dry asphalt but dense clouds, and minimal dark spots on the slopes after the last showers, the conditions were less than clear.
Missing Riders and Team Changes
As announced, Trackhouse Aprilia driver Miguel Oliveira was absent from the slopes due to a wrist injury sustained during the first training session in Indonesia. He was replaced by Lorenzo Savadori. Additionally, a third Yamaha entry was added, with Remy Gardner racing as a third force in Japan for development purposes.
Training Session Overview
A familiar picture emerged on the track after the first 10 minutes. Pramac Ducati star Jorge Martin took the lead in the first free practice session. In what seemed like a scripted World Championship drama, he was closely followed by world champion and main rival, Pecco Bagnaia.
Two more Ducati GP23s were in contention with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc Marquez. Following a slightly better lap, Bagnaia managed to reclaim the top position, showcasing the intense competition.
Instability on the Track
As all pilots completed their initial laps, the weather took a turn, and umbrellas opened in Motegi due to light rain. As teams rushed back to the pits, the slick tires’ risk became apparent. The conditions intensified the unpredictability, sending team bosses and riders glancing nervously at the gloomy sky.
Mid-Session Calm and Fast Laps
At halftime of the 45-minute session, a calm began to settle over the slopes. The times reflected the effort as Bagnaia and Martin clocked in low 1:45s, competitive with the first free practice session of the previous year under optimal conditions. Notably, 13 other riders were within a second of this pace.
Top Riders During FP1
Even if it was premature to celebrate, two riders, Joan Mir and Johann Zarco, finished in 7th and 8th, indicating that Honda wasn’t far behind. Taka Nakagami, returning for his last home GP as a regular driver, found himself in 12th place, a commendable performance so far.
- Fastest KTM rider: Jack Miller in 5th place.
- Pedro Acosta, celebrating in Indonesia, was currently in 13th position.
Final Minutes of FP1: Anticipation Rises
With ten minutes to go, the initial calm erupted as some drivers emerged onto the track again, this time on profileless slicks. Despite warmer weather aiding in drying the asphalt, the moisture presented a lingering risk.
To the frustration of the pilots, rain flags signaled the end of time improvements. The 23 world-class participants had managed only a few laps on the 4.8 km long stop-and-go track, increasing the tension before the upcoming qualifying session.
Qualifying Session Expectations
As the teams prepared for the crucial qualifying event, which began at 3 p.m. local time (8 a.m. CEST), all riders knew that each lap was a gamble, with spots in Q2 on the line.
Test Starts and Results
After the session concluded, all drivers returned to the track for a 10-minute session focused on test starts.
FP1 Results: MotoGP Motegi (October 4th)
| Position | Rider | Team | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati | 1:45.209 | – |
| 2 | Jorge Martin | Ducati | +0.109 | |
| 3 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | Ducati | +0.380 | |
| 4 | Marc Marquez | Ducati | +0.572 | |
| 5 | Jack Miller | KTM | +0.573 | |
| 6 | Marco Bezzecchi | Ducati | +0.705 | |
| 7 | Joan Mir | Honda | +0.722 | |
| 8 | Johann Zarco | Honda | +0.740 | |
| 9 | Maverick Vinales | Aprilia | +0.750 | |
| 10 | Enea Bastianini | Ducati | +0.759 | |
| 11 | Alex Marquez | Ducati | +0.776 | |
| 12 | Takaki Nakagami | Honda | +0.828 | |
| 13 | Pedro Acosta | KTM | +0.853 | |
| 14 | Alex Rins | Yamaha | +0.881 | |
| 15 | Aleix Espargaro | Aprilia | +0.893 | |
| 16 | Brad Binder | KTM | +1.036 | |
| 17 | Fabio Quartararo | Yamaha | +1.087 | |
| 18 | Franco Morbidelli | Ducati | +1.232 | |
| 19 | Luca Marini | Honda | +1.251 | |
| 20 | Raul Fernandez | Aprilia | +1.778 | |
| 21 | Augusto Fernandez | KTM | +1.829 | |
| 22 | Lorenzo Savadori | Aprilia | +3.433 | |
| 23 | Remy Gardner | Yamaha | +4.997 |
