Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider qualifies third amidst changeable weather at Le Mans. Pedro Acosta will start from Row 7.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 and Jaume Masia managed to overcome the constant changes in the weather conditions at Le Mans and secure a place in the front row of the grid for the French Grand Prix. The Spaniard went straight into Q2 and claimed third position in the session. Pedro Acosta was forced to go through Q1 and, after finishing seventh, will start from 21st on Sunday.

FP3 was contested in wet conditions, due to the heavy rain that fell on the track early in the morning. Acosta continued to rack up kilometres, completing 17 laps and setting good times. The rookie finished sixth with a time of 1:55.564, despite suffering a crash at Turn 4 with three minutes remaining. Masia put in 14 laps and achieved the seventh best time – a 1:55.606 – after recovering from a small fall at Turn 14 midway through the session.

In the afternoon, Masia went into Q2, held in difficult mixed conditions. Nevertheless, he finished third and secured a place on the front row for the French GP, after stopping the clock at 1:49.611. Acosta went into Q1 placing seventh with a time of 1:43.376 and will take off from Row 7, in 21st position.

The 22-lap Moto3 French Grand Prix takes place tomorrow at 11 AM local time.

Results (Qualifying session)

1. Andrea Migno (Honda) 1:47.407
2. Riccardo Rossi (KTM) 1:49.408 +2.001
3. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:49.611 +2.204
4. John McPhee (Honda) 1:49.640 +2.233
5. Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda) 1:49.684 +2.277
21. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:43.376 (Q1 Time)

5 JAUME MASIA

“It was spectacular. The first strategy was to get out as soon as possible for a dry lap, but when we were in the third sector it started to rain heavily. We had to come back in and fit wet tires. Afterwards, I saw that some riders went out with slicks, but we were still able to get a spot on the front row. I’m happy and looking forward to tomorrow’s race. We face it with a very strong mentality, and I will try to impose my pace and get to the front.”

37 PEDRO ACOSTA

“In general, it was a positive day. In FP3, we kept our good feeling going, riding in the wet. However, we weren’t able to complete a run in the dry. I’m happy, as I think the race will be easier than qualifying. Tomorrow we will strive to gain the maximum number of positions possible at the beginning of the contest. We will see what we are capable of doing.”