Deniz Öncü is consistent throughout the day, securing fourth place in Practice. Collin Veijer is just a tenth away from advancing to Q2.

There was an exciting start to the Qatar Grand Prix for Deniz Öncü and Collin Veijer in Lusail. The two Red Bull KTM Ajo riders achieved their targets for Friday: Deniz Öncü finished fourth in Practice to secure a direct spot in Q2, and Collin Veijer was 16th.

The first Friday session, which followed the Asia Talent Cup and Moto3 sessions, had favourable track conditions for the Moto2 riders. Their lap times were less than a second off the circuit record, with Öncü in third place. Feeling confident despite his crash in Austin a fortnight ago, had a very complete FP1, being one of the fastest riders throughout the session. After fifteen laps, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was less than a tenth off his best time from last year, posting a best lap of 1:58.138. Veijer, like in previous Fridays this season, gained experience and improved with every lap he completed on his new Kalex. After using the start of the session to adapt, the Dutchman was able to take a significant step forward in the final stretch of FP1, clocking a time of 1:59.479, which put him in 23rd place, less than two seconds off the top spot.

In Practice, Öncü continued his best Friday of the season so far, under the floodlights. He earned fourth place after 16 laps, riding consistently inside the Top 5 and finishing the session with a time of 1:57.149. He was a second quicker than his previous best lap ever in Qatar, and went directly into Q2. Veijer also achieved his best Practice result of 2025 to date. A great final lap, his fifteenth of the session, lowered his best time to 1:57.875. He was 16th, improving his best time from FP1 by 1.6 seconds, and was just one tenth of a second away from advancing to Q2.

This was Deniz Öncü and Collin Veijer’s best Friday at the start of the season. Tomorrow, both will try to continue the great start to get a good place on the starting grid. Veijer will enter into Q1 (6:45 p.m. local time) on Saturday. Q2 will begin shortly after (7:10 p.m. local time), with Öncü confirmed for the session. Before that, both will take part in FP2 at midday, from 2:15 p.m. local time.

Practice Results
1. Manuel Gonzalez (Kalex) | 1:57.073
2. Aron Canet (Kalex) | 1:57.095 +0.022
3. Daniel Holgado (Kalex) | 1:57.136 +0.063
4. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:57.149 +0.076
5. Albert Arenas (Kalex) | 1:57.206 +0.133
16. Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | 1:57.875 +0.802

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“First day in Qatar was a very positive one. We’re working hard to understand the best set up and riding style to ride here in Lusail, and for the moment, it’s going quite good. I’m being confident with the bike and we’re setting a good pace also, so let’s continue in the same direction to be better. Tomorrow, we will try to word harder to stay closer to the front guys.”

#95 COLLIN VEIJER

“Not an easy session the first one, because the track wasn’t in his best conditions. I had some problems with turning the bike, but at night I felt much more confident. The feeling was better. We just tried to get the things done and now we have to work in all the aspects we can improve tomorrow. Feeling overall it was good, so we just try to keep it for tomorrow to try get into the Q2.”