The 2025 MotoGP season roared to life with an electrifying opening day at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand, as riders battled scorching conditions at the Chang International Circuit.
The drama unfolded swiftly, with Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP™) leading the timesheets ahead of his brother, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), in Practice.
The session saw an intense fight for the top ten, with Marc Marquez and rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) setting the early pace. Acosta, fresh from a rapid FP1 and Buriram Test, demonstrated his potential, but Honda made a statement with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) briefly taking P1 with 20 minutes left. His teammates, Luca Marini and Joan Mir, continued their strong form, positioning themselves well ahead of the decisive final 15 minutes.
As the time attacks began, Acosta reclaimed P1 before Marc Marquez struck back, with his younger brother Alex closely following. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) temporarily knocked Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) out of the crucial top ten, but the reigning champion fought back into P9.
However, Pecco’s woes escalated in the final moments. A crash from Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) triggered yellow flags, derailing his initial charge. Then, as he attempted a final flying lap, he was obstructed by Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) at Turn 5, forcing him to abandon his run. The frustration boiled over, leading to an on-track exchange between the two Italians. The FIM MotoGP Stewards later handed Morbidelli a three-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race. Ultimately, Bagnaia finished P13, marking his first trip to Q1 since Valencia 2023.
Elsewhere, Alex Marquez edged out Marc to top the session, while Acosta secured a strong third as KTM’s lone direct Q2 entrant. Despite his fall, Bezzecchi clinched P4, followed by Morbidelli. Honda’s resurgence was evident, with Mir (P6) and Zarco (P9) securing direct Q2 spots—Honda’s first double top-ten since the 2023 Indian GP. Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo slotted into P8 but faced late mechanical drama.
Rookie standout Ai Ogura (Aprilia Racing) impressed in P9, making him the third Aprilia rider into Q2 alongside Raul Fernandez (P7). For the first time since Indonesia 2023, all five manufacturers will have representation in Q2.
With Pecco in Q1, the battle for Saturday’s final two Q2 spots will be fierce. Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) showed improved pace, while Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) struggled but still secured Q2. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP™) suffered an early Turn 12 fall but also made the cut.
Di Giannantonio, returning from injury, finished P15, while Marini (HRC Honda Castrol) failed to mount a late challenge. Q2 will also feature Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP™), Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Thai favorite Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU LCR Honda), and Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing).
As Saturday’s qualifying looms, all eyes will be on Pecco as he fights for redemption in Q1, while the Marquez brothers aim to maintain their dominance in the first battle for pole of the 2025 season.
Standing of Practice Round
| POS. | RIDER/TEAM | TIME/GAP |
| 1 | Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) | 1:29.020 |
| 2 | Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) | + 0.052 |
| 3 | Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) | + 0.242 |
| 4 | Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) | + 0.247 |
| 5 | Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) | + 0.286 |
| 6 | Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) | + 0.378 |
| 7 | Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) | + 0.442 |
| 8 | Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) | + 0.465 |
| 9 | Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) | + 0.577 |
| 10 | Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) | + 0.588 |
Credit Photo : BRIC
