The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider heads Friday’s combined timesheets, as teammate Kaito Toba continues to take steps forward.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team got the Andalucia Grand Prix underway occupying the top spot of the combined timesheets through rider Raul Fernandez. The Spaniard was first in FP1 and the only competitor to break into the 1:45s today. Kaito Toba continued taking steps forward throughout Friday, and in the afternoon session improved his feeling and increased his confidence. The Japanese ended the day 21st.

In the morning, Raul Fernandez once again established himself as one of the strongest riders in the field. On his last lap of 14 in FP1, he clocked a 1:45.896 – the only man to go round in the 1:45s. Teammate Kaito Toba showed progress throughout the session, focusing his work on adapting to the bike. The Japanese also completed 14 laps, and on the last of them he set a 1:47.205 to finish 21st.

In the afternoon, intense heat meant that very few riders were able to lower their lap times. Toba was one of them, with his 1:47.063, putting him ninth in the session after completing 14 laps. Fernandez was 11th, through a time of 1:47.167 from his 12 laps. The Spaniard’s morning time earned him the top spot and a provisional place in Q2 tomorrow.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo will undertake a final Free Practice on Saturday, before qualifying. Moto3 Q1 will start at 12:35 pm, followed by Q2 at 1 pm local time.

Results – FP1 & FP2
1. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:45.896
2. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 1:46.112 +0.216
3. Filip Salac (Honda) 1:46.205 +0.309
4. Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda) 1:46.237 +0.341
5. Andrea Migno (KTM) 1:46.289 +0.393
21. Kaito Toba (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:47.063 +1.167

25 RAUL FERNANDEZ

“I am very happy with how the day went. We have been working for more than a week here, and it shows. Both the team and I are clear about things: we know the tyre that we are going to use and the setup that best suits this circuit. I felt comfortable riding with all kinds of compounds and that is a positive thing. However, we must continue working to fine-tune some small details.”

27 KAITO TOBA

“It was a tough day for us. In the morning I didn’t quite find a good pace, and that meant I wasn’t able to push more. However, in the afternoon I felt much better. Now we must continue working to try to take a step forward tomorrow. We will do everything possible to achieve a faster time in FP3, one that allows us to go straight into Q2.”