The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider will start the first race of the 2021 season from fifth position, with Acosta surprising for eleventh place.

The first starting grid of the 2021 Moto3 World Championship season was decided on Saturday in Qatar, with the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders putting in solid performances. Both made their way directly into Q2, where Masia would enter the fight for the pole position. The Spaniard was fifth and will start from the second row of the grid on Sunday. On Row 4, Pedro Acosta will take off from 11th place for his debut Grand Prix.

High temperatures in Qatar were a determining factor in FP3, as all but a few riders were unable to lower their lap times from Friday. With their spots in Q2 assured, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo concentrated on accumulating kilometres and experience with their bikes at Losail. Masia finished in seventh with a time of 2:05.913 from 11 laps completed. Teammate Acosta was ninth after stopping the clock at 2:06.128 on his penultimate attempt of 12.

Thanks to their good work in Free Practice, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 pair made their way straight into Q2. Masia set the fifth fastest time of 2:04.498, just four tenths off the pole position for the Qatar Grand Prix. In eleventh place will be Acosta, who finished the session with a 2:05.058. Both feel prepared and confident for the first race of 2021.

The Losail International Circuit will host the 18-lap Moto3 Qatar GP at 5 PM local time on Sunday.

Results (Qualifying session)

1. Darryn Binder (Honda) 2:04.075
2. Izan Guevara (Gas Gas) 2:04.278 +0.203
3. John McPhee (Honda) 2:04.358 +0.283
4. Jeremy Alcoba (Honda) 2:04.437 +0.362
5. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:04.498 +0.423
11. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 2:05.058 +0.983

5 JAUME MASIA

“We achieved our goal, which was to qualify on either the first or second row of the grid for Sunday’s race. I’m happy with the pace we showed in practice, so we will do our best to keep it up tomorrow. I feel ready and eager for the opening round of the 2021 season. We will do our best to get a good result.”

37 PEDRO ACOSTA

“We had another positive day in Qatar. In FP3, we worked a lot with our focus on the race, and this will allow us to take a step forward tomorrow on the final laps. In qualifying, I made a small mistake on my last lap, without which I’m sure that I could have been a little further up the grid. However, it is very important that we have a good setup for Sunday and that we clearly know what path we have to follow.”