Red Bull KTM Ajo rookie makes his way directly into Q2 and will start the Qatar GP from the sixth row of the grid.

The grid order for the first Moto3 race of 2019 was decided today at the Losail International Circuit, and it featured a solid result for the Red Bull KTM Ajo rookie, Can Öncu. Although no rider was able to improve upon their Friday times in FP3, the 15-year-old had a positive session to prepare himself for Q2 -which he accessed directly thanks to his time from the previous day. The Turkish talent qualified eighteenth and will take off from the sixth row in the Qatar GP.

Öncü used the last Free Practice session to finish setting up his KTM, overcoming a strong wind that hindered the entire Moto3 field. He was eleventh on the timesheets. In the 15-minute Q2 session, Öncü clocked a time of 2:07.638 on the last of his 6 laps, qualifying 18th on the grid for tomorrow.

The 18-lap first Moto3 race of the 2019 season will get underway at 5pm local time on Sunday. Red Bull KTM Ajo have victories at the Qatar Grand Prix from 2013 and 2014, through Luis Salom and Jack Miller, and further podiums from Sandro Cortese and Brad Binder.

Results Moto3 Qualifying session
1. Aron Canet (KTM) 2:05.883
2. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Honda) 2:06.080 +0.197
3. Kaito Toba (Honda) 2:06.109 +0.226
4. John McPhee (Honda) 2:06.308 +0.425
5. Niccolo Antonelli (Honda) 2:06.373 +0.490
18. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:07.638 +1.755

61 CAN ÖNCÜ

“Today has been positive overall, I am happy with the work we have done. Tomorrow we start from 18th position, which is good considering that it’s the first Grand Prix of the season and the second for us in the Moto3 World Championship. I’m quite sure that the race will be run in groups, but that is not a big problem for us. I feel very comfortable on my KTM and the track is also in good condition, so we are ready to fight.”