Augusto Fernandez and Pedro Acosta will start the first contest of the 2022 season from the second and fourth rows of the grid, respectively.

The Lusail International Circuit hosted qualifying for the Qatar Grand Prix on Saturday, and both Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders went directly into Q2. Augusto Fernandez went on to take a positive sixth position and will start the first contest of the 2022 season from the second row of the grid, whilst on Row 4 will be Pedro Acosta. The reigning Moto3 World Champion finished 10th despite suffering a small crash when on his hot lap.

The pair continued with the good feelings they had experienced on Friday, with both amongst the most competitive riders in FP3. Fernandez was second, just 0.084 thousandths of a second off the top spot with a 1:59.678. He completed a total of 13 laps in the session. Acosta placed third despite suffering a crash at Turn 1 in the 12th minute. The reigning Moto3 World Champion completed a total of 8 laps, setting a 1:59.742 on his last attempt.

Having led the combined standings in the three Free Practices held this weekend, the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo went straight into Q2. In this session, Fernandez was sixth after stopping the clock at 1:59.339, just two tenths off pole. He will start from the second row in the season opener, with Acosta on Row 4. The reigning Moto3 World Champion was 10th with a 1:59.528 despite suffering a crash at Turn 16 late in the session.

The Moto2 Qatar Grand Prix takes place on Sunday at 4:20 PM local time and is scheduled for 20 laps.

Results (Qualifying session)
1. Celestino Vietti (Kalex) 1:59.082
2. Tony Arbolino (Kalex) 1:59.194 +0.112
3. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:59.226 +0.144
4. Filip Salac (Kalex) 1:59.287 +0.205
5. Ai Ogura (Kalex) 1:59.302 +0.220
6. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.339 +0.257
10. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:59.528 +0.446

#37 AUGUSTO FERNANDEZ

“I am happy with the work we did this morning. However, it’s bittersweet, because the objective for today was to get onto the front row. Even so, being in sixth position does not mean that we do not have a chance to fight for a good place tomorrow. The important thing is that I feel good, strong and with enough pace to be able to have a strong race here in Qatar, where we will go all out.”

#51 PEDRO ACOSTA

“The day went quite well. We know what we have to work on tomorrow in the warm-up. This was our first qualifying session in Moto2 and we knew that my weak point, since I entered the World Championship, has been Saturdays. Despite the crash, we are happy and tomorrow we will give one hundred percent and try to have a good race in our debut in the class.”