Pedro Acosta and Jaume Masia feel prepared for the fourth round of the 2021 season and will start from the fifth row of the grid at Jerez.

The starting grid for the Spanish Grand Prix was established on Saturday in a very close qualifying tussle for the lower cylinder class. The two Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 riders entered the fight for pole position, with Jaume Masia and Pedro Acosta making their way into Q2 – the latter going through Q1. The Spanish duo will start Sunday’s race at Jerez from the fifth row of the grid: Acosta in 13th position and Masia in 15th.

Earlier in the day, the pair contested the last Free Practice of the weekend, held under ideal weather conditions. Thanks to their good work with the team, both managed to lower their lap times from Friday. Masia finished FP3 in sixth position with a 1:45.797, achieved on his 13th lap of 15. Teammate Acosta, suffered a small crash at Turn 6 at the beginning of the session, forcing him to return to the box. The rookie rider finally placed 16th after stopping the clock at 1:46.295 on his penultimate attempt of a total of 13.

Whilst Masia went directly into Q2, Acosta had to go through Q1. In that session, he set a 1:46.138 to enter the final dice for pole position. In Q2, Acosta qualified in 13th place with a time of 1:46.667, and tomorrow he will start the Spanish GP from the fifth row of the grid. Jaume Masia will join him there, having placed 15th thanks to a 1:46.843.

The Moto3 Spanish Grand Prix takes place over 22 laps from 11 AM CEST on Sunday.

Results (Qualifying session)

1. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 1:45.807
2. Jeremy Alcoba (Honda) 1:45.932 +0.125
3. Andrea Migno (Honda) 1:46.007 +0.200
4. Gabriel Rodrigo (Honda) 1:46.048 +0.241
5. Romano Fenati (Husqvarna) 1:46.166 +0.359
13. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:46.667 +0.860
15. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:46.843 +1.036

5 JAUME MASIA

“I’m very happy with the feeling I had today, although the final result isn’t so satisfying for me. I’m looking forward to starting tomorrow’s race, enjoying myself and having fun on the bike. I face this round with a positive mentality and, as always, we will give our 100% in order to fight for a good result.”

37 PEDRO ACOSTA

“Overall, it was a good day. In FP3, we took a big step forward, something we have been looking for all weekend. Thanks to this improvement, we now have a good setup for our bike. As for our grid position for tomorrow, 13th is an optimal result. Jerez is a circuit that has always been difficult for me, so I am happy that, despite this, I got this place on the grid for Sunday’s race. I feel ready for the contest and I am looking forward to giving it my all.”