Celestino Vietti crashes out early and Deniz Öncü finishes 22nd.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s 2024 season did not finish in the way the team had hoped, as both Celestino Vietti and Deniz Öncü’s great starts in Barcelona were cancelled out by a crash and long lap penalties, respectively. Öncü concluded the Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona in 22nd place.

Vietti started the race from the third row of the grid, and moved up to sixth place early on. Unfortunately, his hopes of a podium challenge were ended by another rider at the start of the second lap, as their collision ended with a heavy crash at Turn 1. The Italian injured his left collarbone and was later taken to hospital, where further tests will be carried out to determine the extent of the injury.

Öncü made his best start of the season, rising to seventh position from 20th on the grid. The Turkish rider was very confident in the early stages, although unfortunately he was caught up in the same incident as his teammate. Although he avoided crashing, Öncü dropped several positions and tried to stay in the points -until he was handed two long lap penalties that relegated him to 22nd.

Despite Sunday’s results, both riders made great progress throughout the season. Red Bull KTM Ajo would like to thank Celestino Vietti for his hard work and dedication, wishing him a speedy recovery, as well as Deniz Öncü and the entire team that made this season possible. In addition, we would like to thank all our partners for their support throughout 2024.

Moto2 Results Race
1. Aron Canet (Kalex) 36:29.282
2. Manuel Gonzalez (Kalex) +0.091
3. Diogo Moreira (Kalex) +1.124
4. Ai Ogura (Boscoscuro) +1.167
5. Filip Salac (Kalex) +3.450
22. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +29.727
DNF. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo)

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2024
1. Ai Ogura (Boscoscuro) – 274 points
2. Aron Canet (Kalex) – 234 points
3. Manuel Gonzalez (Kalex) – 195 points
4. Sergio Garcia (Boscoscuro) – 191 points
5. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) – 182 points
7. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – 165 points
20. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – 49 points

Moto2 Teams World Championship Standing 2024
1. MT Helmets MSI – 465 points
2. Sync Speed Up – 361 points
3. Only Fans American Racing Team – 290 points
4. Gresini Moto2 – 275 points
5. Fantic Racing – 234 points
8. Red Bull KTM Ajo – 214 points

AKI AJO – Team Manager

“In Moto2 we didn’t have the end we wanted to this season with Deniz. The final races are always very exciting and that was the case this time as well. Deniz has been with us for many years, but with Celestino we also had a great year. We had some ups and downs with injuries, but I have to say that Celestino will really be missed by the team going forward, as he has been a great character and a great person to have around. It was a very fun year working with him. His injury makes us very sad, but we really hope for a quick recovery for Celestino and of course a good future for him in his new challenges. At the start of the race, it seemed very good for us, and that both of our riders could even fight for the podium. However, unfortunately, after the other rider’s mistake, the race was over for both riders. With Deniz, we have improved all the time and he has been learning a lot this year; I’m especially happy with his attitude and how much he has improved during these last two years. I’m very excited for next year and I’m sure he will be one of the best in the Moto2 class.”

#13 CELESTINO VIETTI

“It was a shame to end the season and my time with the team like this. I wanted to end the season as well as possible but another rider made a mistake and we crashed. We had a great start and I felt very comfortable -and that I could be fighting for the podium here in Barcelona. We have done a great job together this year, so I want to thank everybody for their work. I have learned a lot from them and we have achieved great things together.”

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“We have finished the season here in Barcelona. This last GP has been very hard for me, because since Friday I have struggled so much with the weather conditions, the grip and everything else. I started the race in 20th, but at the end of Lap 1 I was already fighting for the Top 5, so I did a really good first lap. Today I was strong, but at the beginning of the second lap another rider hit me and my teammate. I am so sad to hear that Celestino has been injured, so I wish him a fast recovery. That incident cost me a lot of positions, and after that I received two long lap penalties. Basically, the race was really hard, with lots of ups and downs. I tried to manage the situation but it was not easy for me. It wasn’t the end we wanted, but I want to thank the team for all the hard work they have done and we are like a family, so thanks to everybody.”