Marc Marquez Shatters Lap Record to Top Austrian GP Practice as Title Battle Heats Up

Title race leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) made a powerful statement as MotoGP returned from its summer break, setting a blistering 1:28.117 to lead Friday practice at the BWIN Grand Prix of Austria. The eight-time World Champion’s record-breaking lap left him 0.228 seconds clear of rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), with reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completing the top three.

Drama-Filled Opening Session

The day began with early drama when Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) crashed at Turn 9, damaging his primary RS-GP. Bagnaia initially led the timing sheets ahead of Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), while Marquez and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) occupied strong early positions.

The session was temporarily halted after Quartararo’s heavy crash at Turn 6, following a suspected fluid spill from Jack Miller’s smoking Prima Pramac Yamaha. The red flags flew as safety crews cleaned the track. Miller’s teammate Miguel Oliveira also went down at the same corner before action resumed.

Top 10 Shake-Up

With 17 minutes remaining, rookie Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) stunned the field by going fastest with a 1:28.877. The lead changed hands rapidly as Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Franco Morbidelli(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) pushed their way to the top before Acosta and Bagnaia regained control.

In the closing moments, Alex Marquez jumped to third before Marc Marquez delivered a devastating late charge, smashing the all-time lap record to reclaim P1. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) also made late gains to secure direct Q2 entry.

Friday’s Top 10:

1. Marc Marquez – Ducati Lenovo Team – 1:28.117 (All-time lap record)
2. Pedro Acosta – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – +0.228s
3. Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team
4. Alex Marquez – Gresini Racing MotoGP
5. Raul Fernandez – Trackhouse MotoGP Team
6. Joan Mir – Honda HRC Castrol
7. Franco Morbidelli – Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team
8. Johann Zarco – CASTROL Honda LCR
9. Fermin Aldeguer – BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP
10. Brad Binder – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Qualifying and Sprint Saturday Await

The battle is set to intensify on Saturday, with big names such as Enea Bastianini, Quartararo, Fabio Di Giannantonio, and factory Aprilia duo Martin and Marco Bezzecchi all fighting through Q1 for a coveted spot in Q2. The day will conclude with the high-stakes Tissot Sprint.

With the title fight heating up and lap records already falling, the 2025 Austrian GP is shaping up to be a thriller.