The 2025 Australian MotoGP weekend at Phillip Island is already delivering drama! From potential engine failures to near-miss collisions, Friday's practice session was anything but uneventful. Let's dive into the key moments from FP1 and see who's setting the pace.
03:05
01:38
Stewards decision: The FIM MotoGP Stewards have reviewed the contact between Miguel Oliveira and Alex Marquez. The verdict? "No further action" will be taken. This suggests the stewards didn't find either rider solely at fault for the incident. But here's where it gets controversial... Was it a racing incident, or was someone more to blame? Let us know what you think in the comments!
01:36
Australian MotoGP: FP1 Results: (Results would typically be listed here, but are omitted for brevity as they are detailed later.)
01:36
Under Investigation: The heart-stopping moment between Miguel Oliveira and Alex Marquez at Turn 1 is under the microscope. Stewards are trying to determine if Oliveira slowed unexpectedly, causing Marquez to misjudge the closing speed. Marquez's frustrated hand gestures afterward certainly suggest he felt Oliveira was at fault. This kind of incident highlights the fine margins and risks these riders face every corner of every lap.
01:32
Miller time! Jack Miller, riding his Pramac Yamaha, thrilled the home crowd by bolting on fresh tires and snatching the fastest lap time at the end of FP1. The Aussie fans are definitely hoping this is a sign of things to come for the rest of the weekend!
01:31
Scare for Alex Marquez: Alex Marquez had a close call, clipping the back wheel of Miguel Oliveira's Yamaha at Turn 1. It's a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong at these speeds, and just how brave these riders are.
01:30
Oil flags are now being waved at Turn 1, indicating a hazard on the track related to Mir's earlier engine issue. These flags are crucial for rider safety, warning them of slippery conditions.
01:29
Engine failure: Joan Mir was forced to pull off the track with smoke billowing from his Honda's exhaust, signaling a significant engine problem. This is a major setback for Mir, especially considering the challenges Honda has been facing this season. Engine reliability is paramount in MotoGP, and this incident underscores the importance of robust engineering.
01:27
The tire allocations for this weekend are crucial. The three front tire options – soft, medium, and hard – are the same as last year. The soft rear tire is also unchanged. However, the medium rear tire has been modified, incorporating data collected from last year's race on the resurfaced track. Tire choice is a critical element of race strategy, and teams will be analyzing data meticulously to make the right calls.
01:26
A word of caution about reading too much into this morning's times: most riders haven't yet used the hard front tire. Last year, nearly every rider selected the hard front for the races. It's a testament to the unique demands of Phillip Island and its abrasive surface. And this is the part most people miss...Understanding the tire strategies can be the key to unlocking a rider's true potential on race day.
01:23
Alex Marquez and Brad Binder have joined Francesco Bagnaia and Pol Espargaro in opting for the medium front tire. This suggests they're prioritizing stability and braking performance, even if it means sacrificing some outright grip in the early stages of the lap.
01:19
Jorge Martin out of Sepang: Some breaking news from Aprilia: Jorge Martin will also be forced to sit out next weekend's Malaysian MotoGP due to the collarbone injury he sustained at Motegi. This is a tough blow for Martin, who was hoping to bounce back quickly. It also shakes up the championship standings.
01:17
Good news for Bagnaia and Ducati! He's climbed to 6th place, just 0.373s behind Alex Marquez. This shows he's starting to find his rhythm after a difficult start to the session. Can he close the gap further?
01:16
Johann Zarco's strong form continues, as he moves into 3rd position. The LCR Honda rider is hoping to capitalize on the recent successes of fellow Honda riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini and have his own moment in the spotlight. Zarco is a seasoned veteran, and he'll be looking to use his experience to challenge for a strong result.
01:14
Bagnaia, running the medium front tire, has improved to 13th, 1.3s behind Alex Marquez. Remember, Bagnaia is locked in a fierce battle with Marquez for second place in the world championship, so every tenth of a second counts!
01:13
Alex Marquez sets a blistering lap time of 1m 28.3s to take the top spot. Marco Bezzecchi slots into second, and Pedro Acosta is now third. Former Phillip Island MotoGP winner Johann Zarco is fourth for Honda, ahead of Brad Binder. The times are starting to heat up as the riders get more comfortable with the track conditions.
01:11
Almost all riders are using the soft front and medium rear tire combination. However, Pol Espargaro and Francesco Bagnaia are experimenting with the medium front. This could indicate they're searching for a different setup direction to improve their performance.
01:09
20mins to go: (Current standings are listed, showing the top riders and their positions.)
01:08
Pedro Acosta executes a spectacular slide through Stoner corner, showcasing his impressive bike control. He's currently sixth for KTM, 0.374s behind Binder, who's still leading the session. Acosta, a rookie this year, is proving to be a serious talent to watch.
01:07
Team manager Davide Tardozzi appears frustrated and leaves the Ducati box, heading back to the pit wall. This suggests there may be some tension within the team, possibly related to Bagnaia's struggles.
01:06
Early woes for Francesco Bagnaia: Ducati are trying to shield the TV cameras, but Bagnaia can be seen gesturing that his bike is shaking excessively. This is a worrying sign for the reigning world champion, as bike stability is crucial for confidence and speed. What do you think is causing Bagnaia's bike issues? Is it a setup problem, or something more fundamental?
01:04
There's a Ducati GP25 in the top 3, but it's Fabio di Giannantonio, not Bagnaia. Bagnaia has improved, but is still only 16th. The atmosphere in the Ducati pits is tense as Bagnaia returns to the garage. It seems they have some work to do to get him comfortable and competitive.
01:03
Meanwhile, Brad Binder – who is currently the subject of speculation about a potential crew chief change for 2026, with Toprak Razgatlioglu's crew chief Phil Marron rumored to be returning to MotoGP and joining KTM – goes 0.013s quicker than Bezzecchi to take over P1. This rumor adds another layer of intrigue to the paddock. Could a change in crew chief be the key to unlocking even more performance for Binder?
01:02
Marco Bezzecchi is already practicing the long lap penalty loop. He'll need to complete two long lap penalties on Sunday, so getting familiar with the route is crucial. This shows his preparation and dedication to minimizing the impact of the penalty.
00:59
Bagnaia has now completed 4 laps... but remains in 20th position. This is certainly not the start to the weekend he was hoping for. What do you think, can Bagnaia turn things around for qualifying and the race? Let's hear your predictions in the comments!
