The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider improved on his Friday pace and finished the Q1 in 10th position, but received a penalty.

Today the Moto3 riders did battle for positions on the grid for the Italian Grand Prix, at the Mugello Circuit. Can Öncü reduced his best Friday time by 1.333s in a very tight FP3 session, with 23 riders finishing less than a second apart. Despite taking a big step forward, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rookie had to go through Q1, where he finished 10th.

Can Öncü started the last free practice session close to the top, looking for a direct route into Q2. Eventually the young Turkish rider finished FP3 just eight tenths off first place, in 23rd – 0.308s down on a Q2 spot – after setting a personal best of 1:57.527, on lap 14 of 15 completed.

In the 15 minute Q1 session, Can Öncü was positioned in the top four until the midway point of the session. Towards the end, the traffic on track prevented the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider from using his pace and on his last lap he notched a 1:58.716. He ended up tenth and 24th on the combined qualifying times but he has been given a 12-place grid penalty due to slow riding during the FP3.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team and Can Öncü are ready for the 20-lap Italian Grand Prix race tomorrow at 11am local time.

Results (Qualifying session)
1. Tony Arbolino (Honda) 1:56.407
2. Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda) 1:57.080 +0.673
3. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Honda) 1:57.276 +0.869
4. Andrea Migno (KTM) 1:57.438 +1.031
5. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 1:57.453 +1.046
24. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:58.716 (Q1 time)

61 CAN ÖNCÜ

“We did a good job today. In FP3, I lowered my lap time from Friday and that was very positive. In the afternoon, in Qualifying 1, Things went well and we took a big step forward, although the traffic at the end of the session didn’t help us. We have to keep working and learning, that’s still our main objective. Tomorrow I will try to start as well as possible to make up some positions at the beginning. I’ll give my 100%.”