Filip Salac could hardly have imagined a better start to the Moto2 Japanese GP. The Czech rider led Practice 1 with a new category lap record at the Motegi circuit, having also set the pace in the earlier free practice session.
The rain that had not made an appearance moments earlier during Moto3 practice decided to show up in the first ten minutes, with Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP/Kalex) leading in front of the Elf Marc VDS duo, Salac and Tony Arbolino.
If the conditions didn’t improve, some top riders risked missing out on direct qualification for the second qualifying session, including championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets-MSi/Boscoscuro), who was in 19th place. However, it turned out to be light and brief rain, which did not have a very disruptive effect on the session.
Right as we were about to get some fast laps… ⏱️
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 4, 2024
The rain has arrived 🌧️#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/vPnWsxXh8E
Shortly after, Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo/Kalex) took the lead from van den Goorbergh and held it for several minutes. Rivals started to close in, and with 17 minutes left, he had only a 0.041s margin over his teammate Deniz Öncü.
In the last ten minutes, there were again changes at the top of the time sheet, and Salac set a new circuit record. Marcos Ramírez (OnlyFans American Racing Team/Kalex) also broke into the 1m49s but finished in second place.
A new all time #Moto2 lap record ⏱️@FilipSalac12 once again showing speed 💨#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/JcU4HkkwMD
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 4, 2024
Before the end, Arón Canet (Fantic Racing/Kalex) also managed to ride in the 1m49s but was second, 0.046s behind Salac, who thus had a dream Friday in Motegi, leading both sessions of the day.
Ramírez ended Free Practice 1 in third, 0.095s off the lead, while the top five was completed by Ogura and Izán Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar/Kalex). Sergio García (MT Helmets-MSi/Boscoscuro), second in the championship, risks missing out on direct qualification for the second session after finishing in 17th place in this practice.
Timesheets:
🔥 @FilipSalac12 continues his great form with another first place in #Moto2 P1
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 4, 2024
Aron Canet and @24Marcosramirez also finished in the Top 3 👊#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/AfbzpzPZUz
