The Moto3s are back in Japan, and it starts right away with the FP. This first session, crucial for adapting to the route, is always interesting to follow. In terms of times, we had to follow David Alonso (CFMoto Aspar Team), again winner in Mandalika, and who can already be titled world champion at the end of this weekend. Behind him, the opposition is doing what it can. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Ivan Ortola (KTM MT Helmets MSi) were strong outsiders, but errors and other recent glitches eliminated them from the title race. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GasGas Tech3) is more tenacious, yes, but struggles to compete with the Colombian. Arriving in Japan, we also had to be wary of the Honda Leopard Racing pair of Angel Piqueras and Adrian Fernandez, who have had a lot of speed for some time.
General ranking before Japan:
As is often the case in Motegi, the morning is foggy but the temperatures this time are pleasant, with already 23° in the air and 26° on the asphalt.
Before starting this 35-minute free practice session,
here is a table which summarizes the known facts :
| Moto3™ Japanese, Motegi |
2023 |
2024 |
| FP | 1’57.260 Diogo Moreira | 1’59.280 David Alonso |
| P1 | 1’57.068 Jaume Masia | |
| P2 | 1’56.148 Jaume Masia | |
| Q1 | 1’57.161 Riccardo Rossi | |
| Q2 | 1’56,331 Jaume Masia | |
| Course | Masia, Sasaki, Holgado (See here) | |
| Record | 1’56,148 Jaume Masia 2023 |
When the red lights go out… it no longer rains but the track remains wet and the trajectory begins to dry quickly.
The first reference is entered by Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in 2’10.765.
Stefano Nepa (LEVELUP – MTA) takes over in 2’10.132 but it’s Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) which accelerates the pace in 2’08.980.
Talyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) then distinguished itself in front of its public in 2’08.553 then Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) posted a 2’08.516 before returning to the box.
This first run already seems to indicate that the session will perhaps not be very significant, with an improvement in the weather being anticipated for the rest of the day.
Nevertheless, Adrian Fernandez continued his effort and recorded 2’08.095.
Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) takes over in 2’06.130 then gradually accelerates in 2’02.576 until 10 minutes from the checkered flag
This is the moment when David Alonso decides to take matters into his own hands and achieves 2’01.748 on trajectories that are now completely dry.
Conditions continued to improve and the leader of the world championship was then the first to go under the two-minute mark, in 1’59.828 then posted a 1’59.280.
But in the last minute a few drops of rain start to fall again.
We leave it there…
2024 Moto3 Japanese Grand Prix FP result at Motegi:
Ranking credit: MotoGP.com
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