Augusto Fernandez finishes third on the opening day, with Pedro Acosta in fifth.

Augusto Fernandez and Pedro Acosta started the Thai Grand Prix with a very good feeling, both riders being competitive and amongst the fastest riders in the Moto2 field. Fernandez concluded the day in third position, while Acosta was fifth on the combined timesheets.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 duo have faced an FP1 session with mixed track conditions, and were cautious in the early stages. After a pit stop to change tyres, Fernandez improved his times and led the timesheets, ending the session as the quickest rider with a 1:36.806 – set on his 16th lap of 18. Acosta, in his first appearance in Thailand, upped his pace lap by lap. As the track conditions improved, he also lowered his times and remained in the Top 10, placing eighth with a 1:38.280.

In the afternoon session, a dry track and favourable conditions greeted the pair, who were quick to up their pace. Fernandez suffered a small crash in the final minutes, but the Moto2 World Championship leader would nevertheless place third, thanks to his 1:36.564. Acosta continued with his adaptation to the circuit, and his feeling at Buriram would only get better. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider would lead the session at one point and completed a total of 19 laps. With a time of 1:36.643, he finished FP2 in fifth.

Moto2 qualifying sessions will be on Saturday from 1:30 PM local time.

Results (Combined practice times FP1 – FP2)
1. Jake Dixon (Kalex) 1:36.280
2. Alonso Lopez (Boscoscuro) 1:36.453 +0.173
3. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:36.564 +0.284
4. Somkiat Chantra (Kalex) 1:36.597 +0.317
5. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:36.643 +0.363

#37 AUGUSTO FERNANDEZ

“Today was a positive day, despite the crash. We have done a good job and it was important to take advantage of the minutes of dry track time. It seems that the weather conditions are going to be very changeable throughout the weekend so we will have to adapt to them. I feel strong and I think that tomorrow we will be able to do well in qualifying.”

#51 PEDRO ACOSTA

“The track conditions hindered us a little today. We were always keeping an eye on whether it was raining or not in order to decide on tyres. We are adapting well to these conditions, physically I feel good and we were fast, even though I didn’t know the track before. We have to fine-tune some details, but I’m confident ahead of tomorrow.”