The Czech MotoGP is now underway as Free Practice 1 kicked off at the Brno Circuit, offering an early glimpse into the upcoming weekend of racing.
A key aspect of this session was the track: wet in some sectors, dry in others. This mixed surface made it difficult for teams who had to gamble in between tire choices, and for drivers, whose line selection and confidence made or broke their session.
Márquez’s Late Charge:
One of the early stories was Marc Márquez’s delayed debut on track. After suffering a mechanical issue on his first bike, the Ducati rider was forced to sit out a significant portion of the session in the pits. He only joined the action with 23 minutes remaining, jumping on his second bike for a limited run.
His team seemingly signaled for caution. He switched to slick tires. They urged him to avoid unnecessary risks while the track was not yet completely dry.
On his sixth and final run with only three minutes left on the clock, Márquez snatched P1. And while Miller briefly topped him, Márquez’s very last run put him back in what many are now calling his usual spot: P1.
A Gamble that Paid Off: Jack Miller
While Márquez stole the show at the end of the session, it was Jack Miller who made the boldest move earlier in the session. The Australian was the first rider to try his luck with slick tires, despite clear signs of moisture lingering on several corners. It was a bold move, typical of his aggressive style.
It proved to be smart timing. Miller switched during his first run of the session. He clocked in a provisional P2. This immediately created a chain reaction.
Álex Márquez was next to follow suit, encouraged by Miller’s pace and the increasingly defined dry line. Shortly after, Fabio Quartararo also made the switch, becoming the third rider to commit to slicks as conditions slowly improved. The track was still far from ideal, and the precision of each trajectory was critical.
Miller ultimately finished the session in a remarkable P2, sandwiched between the two Ducatis – Márquez and Bagnaia.
Yamaha’s Promising Start
Despite the fluctuating conditions, Yamaha showed promising pace. While Quartararo initially took P1 – despite going off his line for a moment, the team’s performance suggested a strong weekend ahead. Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha’s Team Manager, highlighted positive test results and excellent grip, vital for rider confidence. He is optimistic for the upcoming weekend.
Ultimately, Yamaha-powered riders finished with Miller in P2, Álex Rins in P9, Quartararo in P11, Miguel Oliveira in P12, and Augusto Fernandez in P13, laying a solid foundation, especially if dry conditions prevail for the upcoming sessions.
Notable Events: Yellow Flags, Crashes and Bastianini’s Return
At the beginning of the session, a yellow flag briefly waved in Sector 3. This happened after Marco Bezzecchi fell at Turn 8, one of the circuit’s more technical corners. Thankfully, the rider was unhurt and wasted no time sprinting back to the pits to hop on his second bike. There was no major damage reported.
With 15 minutes remaining, most riders had transitioned to slick tires. The sun made an appearance and rapidly dried the track, confirming their decision.
A dramatic crash occurred with just 11 minutes left. Japanese rider Ai Ogura went down heavily in Sector 1. His bike was destroyed, bringing out another yellow flag.
Last but not least, it is important to mention Enea Bastianini’s convincing return. After missing last week’s German GP due to bacteria in his food (rather than appendicitis, contrary to what was initially shared). The Italian finished 5th in this first session of the weekend.
The rest of the ranking goes as follow:
