Summary
- Marc Márquez identified Acosta as faster than him over both race simulations and flying laps.
- Álex Márquez led Friday Practice ahead of Acosta and Marc Márquez.
- The Ducati rider intends to take a more aggressive approach during the remaining rounds.
Marc Márquez intends to attack throughout the remaining rounds of the season, acknowledging that Pedro Acosta currently holds an advantage over him at Motegi. Speaking after Friday’s MotoGP practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, the Ducati rider identified the KTM competitor as a threat over both a flying lap and a race stint.
Álex Márquez finished fastest with 1:42.811, followed by Acosta at 0.076s and Marc Márquez at 0.100s. All three secured direct entry into Q2, setting up a closely contested Saturday after Friday Practice at Motegi.
“At the moment, Pedro is the fastest one on the race pace and also on the time attack compared to me,” Marc Márquez said after the session.
Marc Márquez prepares to take greater risks
Márquez distinguished between managing his effort on Friday and committing fully once qualifying and the races begin. His assessment is that the improving opposition demands a more aggressive approach, although pushing harder also increases the risk of mistakes.
The soft rear tyre is an important part of Saturday’s preparation. Márquez struggled more with the medium during his flying-lap work and intends to evaluate the softer option more thoroughly before qualifying. Álex Márquez used the soft to produce Friday’s quickest time.
Those differences matter when interpreting a practice classification separated by just one tenth across the leading three riders. A fast lap establishes qualifying potential, but it does not settle which rider can maintain the strongest pace throughout a race.
Álex Márquez adds caution to the Acosta comparison
Álex Márquez’s assessment also highlighted the importance of comparing equivalent tyre programmes. He considered his brother particularly competitive on race pace with the medium rear, while Acosta’s work placed greater emphasis on the soft.
The Gresini rider therefore believes further improvement is necessary despite finishing first. Friday’s tyre choices prevent a straightforward conclusion about the race favourite, particularly before the riders establish which compound best suits Sunday’s conditions.
Acosta’s position nevertheless gives the title contenders another rider to account for. If the KTM rider converts his practice performance into a strong grid position, he can compete directly for the points that Márquez and Jorge Martín need in their championship battle.
A close field awaits Saturday
The leading Friday times illustrate how little separates the immediate contenders:
| Pos. | Rider | Team / Manufacturer | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Á. MÁRQUEZ | Gresini / Ducati | 1:42.811 | — |
| 2 | P. ACOSTA | KTM | 1:42.887 | +0.076 |
| 3 | M. MÁRQUEZ | Ducati | 1:42.911 | +0.100 |
Saturday will provide a clearer comparison through qualifying and the Sprint. Readers can consult the complete Saturday Motegi schedule for local start times across the United States, United Kingdom, India, Australia and Canada.
MotoGP continues this weekend, from 2–4 October, in Japan. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Motegi.
MotoGP today: FAQ
What time does the Japanese MotoGP race start?
The race starts on Sunday, 4 October, at 14:00 JST: 06:00 BST in the UK, 01:00 EDT in eastern US and Canada, 10:30 IST in India and 16:00 AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne. In Los Angeles and Vancouver, it begins at 22:00 PDT on Saturday, 3 October.
Can Marc Márquez take the MotoGP championship lead in Japan?
Yes. Márquez trails Jorge Martín by seven points after winning Saturday’s Sprint. If Márquez wins Sunday’s race and Martín finishes third or lower, Márquez takes the lead. Second place for Márquez and fourth for Martín would also be enough: they would draw level on points, with Márquez ahead on the Grand Prix victory tiebreak.
Why has Michelin withdrawn the soft rear tyre at Motegi?
Michelin withdrew the soft rear tyre after problems during Saturday’s Sprint, including those affecting Jorge Martín and Francesco Bagnaia. The medium and hard options remain available, but Michelin recommends the hard and has warned that the medium still carries risks.
Who was fastest in Japanese MotoGP Practice?
Álex Márquez led with 1:42.811, ahead of Pedro Acosta and Marc Márquez.
