Pedro Acosta lit up the Motegi Circuit late in Free Practice 2, seizing the top spot in the dying moments of the session and holding firm until the checkered flag. The rider clocked a blistering lap that deposed early leader Marc Márquez, who had been on top until a costly mistake at Turn 5 derailed his session.
Di Giannantonio First to Fall
Fabio di Giannantonio was the first faller of the day, at Turn 5. While he walked away unharmed, the crash hurt his race prep, losing critical track time with the session still young.
With track temperature conditions, most teams opted for the soft rear compound. Raul Fernandez stood out as the fastest rider on the medium rear, finishing ahead of KTM duo Brad Binder and Enea Bastianini. Whether that gamble pays off in the long run remains to be seen, but it offers an intriguing strategic wrinkle ahead of Qualifying.
Márquez’s Gravel Detour Derails Momentum
Márquez looked set to continue his dominant form from earlier in the day, having posted a provisional best that kept him ahead of the pack for the early part of the session. However, that rhythm was shattered when he slipped into the gravel at Turn 5.
Márquez was visibly frustrated as he pushed away the marshals in a frantic effort to recover his bike. It took nearly eight minutes before he was able to return to the pits, which meant that the rider lost a crucial chunk of track time.
Acosta Pounces Late to Lead
Pedro Acosta, capitalized perfectly on the opportunity. With just minutes remaining, he strung together a clean, aggressive lap that vaulted him to the top — and kept him there. The rising star now heads into Qualifying with an edge.
Meanwhile, Luca Marini delivered another quietly effective performance. The rider was fast from the get-go, with a smooth, calculated riding style that is proving well-suited to Suzuka’s technical layout.
Looking Ahead
With Free Practice wrapped and Acosta leading the way, all eyes now turn to Qualifying. Márquez will have a point to prove after his Turn 5 mishap, while Acosta aims to carry his late-session form into pole contention.