The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 duo finish 11th and 14th on Friday.

The Italian Grand Prix started well for the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders, as Celestino Vietti and Deniz Öncü both enjoyed a solid Friday. Both were provisionally in the Q2 positions for the first time this season, reflecting the progress made in recent rounds. Vietti was eleventh, while Öncü was fourteenth.

Moto2 Free Practice began with delicate track conditions: Although the session was declared wet, patches of water forced extra precautions to be taken. Vietti, feeling much more comfortable after his recovery from injury, took steady steps forward in a close session. The Italian rider maintained a good pace and, after completing 16 laps, placed twelfth with a time of 1:52.234. Öncü carried over the good feeling he had from the previous weekend in Barcelona and worked on continuing to fine-tune the setup of his bike. He was able to increase his pace and finished in fifteenth, with a time of 1:52.385 set on his 13th attempt of 18.

Practice 1 was the first opportunity to push for a spot in Q2. The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders continued to improve their times with each lap. Vietti fought to enter the Top 10 in a session in which up to 20 riders lapped within a single second. He closed the gap to the frontrunners, while at the same time lowering his times. After 17 laps, Vietti finished in 11th position thanks to his 1:51.426. Öncü made great progress compared to the morning and continued to prepare his setup. Increasingly comfortable in the intermediate class, he placed 14th with a time of 1:51.515. He is in Q2 positions for the first time in his first year in Moto2, and will attempt to hold onto the spot on Saturday.

Moto2 qualifying takes place on Saturday at 1:45 pm local time.

Results Practice 1
1. Somkiat Chantra (Kalex) 1:50.841
2. Joe Roberts (Kalex) 1:50.852 +0.011
3. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) 1:50.916 +0.075
4. Alonso Lopez (Boscoscuro) 1:50.928 +0.087
5. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:50.977 +0.136
11. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:51.426 +0.585
14. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:51.515 +0.674

#13 CELESTINO VIETTI

“I am quite happy today. From practice in the morning through to the afternoon, we have improved a lot. We have a good position to go directly into Q2, but we will have to work hard again tomorrow and make a step forward to stay there. We will continue working in the same way. I know I can improve, including modifying my riding style, as well as trying to be more consistent. We will work hard to go directly into Q2.”

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“That’s the first day in Mugello done. So far it has been positive. We are still learning and understanding the bike, seeing how it adapts to this fast circuit. This weekend I have started to push a bit more, while enjoying myself more on the bike. Our goal right now is to keep the position that takes us directly into Q2. I will give my all to achieve that goal. Let’s keep pushing!”