Acosta on front row for Italian GP

28/05/2022

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 talent qualifies second at Mugello, with teammate Augusto Fernandez in 14th position

The Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello hosted qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders continuing with their good feeling at the track and moving straight into Q2, after improving their Friday’s times in the FP3. Pedro Acosta took second position and he’ll start tomorrow’s race from the front row, with Augusto Fernandez on the Row 5, in 14th place.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 duo faced FP3 looking to improve their times and make it straight through to Q2. Despite high temperatures, the duo quickly upped their pace from Friday, establishing themselves as two of the most competitive riders in the session. Acosta took a big step forward in FP3 and finished second, just 0.059 thousandths off the top spot. The reigning Moto3 World Champion set a personal best time of 1:51:820, on his 14th lap of a total of 17. Fernandez also had a solid performance, placing third after stopping the clock at 1:51.828, on his 13th lap of 17.

In the afternoon, the pair took on Q2. Drops of rain fell before the start of the session, but nevertheless Acosta found a good feeling and finished second, just 0.125 tenths off the pole position with a 1:51.246.  With this result, he earned a spot on the front row of the grid. On Row 5, Fernandez qualified 14th with a time of 1:51.940.

The 21-lap Moto2 Italian Grand Prix takes place on Sunday at 12:20 PM local time.

Results (Qualifying session)
1. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:51.121
2. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:51.246 +0.125
3. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:51.279 +0.158
4. Celestino Vietti (Kalex) 1:51.381 +0.260
5. Mattia Pasini (Kalex) 1:51.465 +0.344
14. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:51.940 +0.819

 

#37 AUGUSTO FERNANDEZ

“It’s a shame that I didn’t have a good qualifying session, after the good feeling we have had throughout the weekend. The temperatures dropped compared to the previous sessions and my feeling on the bike changed a bit. I wasn’t able to take full advantage of the new set of tyres. I will take away the information that we have obtained riding in these conditions, since tomorrow it seems they will be similar. This afternoon we will continue working with the team to find what will allow me to feel more comfortable. I know that we have a strong pace and that if we can make a good start, we can be at the front. We have things clear and we are looking forward to tomorrow’s race.”

#51 PEDRO ACOSTA

“We are strong, we are up there and we are not making mistakes, which is the important thing. Now all that remains is to have a good race tomorrow. I am focusing on myself and that is working for me, as we are at the front. We are doing a good job and things are going well. The objective is to finish the race, get some points and gain experience, because it will be important to finish like this.”

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