The brothers, Can and Deniz Öncü, enjoy two positive Free Practice sessions at the Red Bull Ring, in Austria.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s home Grand Prix began well for the Öncü twins, who finished inside the Top 10 in the morning practice session. After the FP2, Deniz and Can were 15th and 21st, respectively, on the combined timesheets, overcoming heat and high temperatures at the Red Bull Ring.

In the 40-minute FP1 session, Can Öncü ran a single-stop strategy, trying to get as many kilometres as possible under his belt. The Turkish youngster took a big step forward in the final part of the practice as, on the 19th of 20 laps he put in during the morning, the 16-year-old set a personal best of 1:37.610 for ninth place. Deniz Öncü was strong from the start in Austria, riding inside the top half of the timesheets. He would complete ide 16 laps and, thanks to an error-free final hot lap, the Red Bull KTM Ajo wildcard rider finished seventh with a 1:37.450.

Track temperatures reached 48 degrees Celsius when FP2 got underway, however Can Öncü managed to lower his time from the morning on his second stint. After a total of 17 laps, he concluded the session in 18th position – with a 1:37.605 – and was 21st overall. Deniz used the practice to gain further experience, adapting well and placing 20th in FP2 thanks to a time of 1:37.647. His personal best from the morning left him in 15th on the combined timesheets.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo team will have one last free practice tomorrow morning. The starting grid for the Austrian GP will be decided at 12:35 pm (Q1) and at 1:00 pm (Q2).

Combined practice times (FP1 – FP2)
1. Celestino Vietti (KTM) 1:36.585
2. John McPhee (Honda) 1:36.616 +0.031
3. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 1:36.638 +0.053
4. Ayumu Sasaki (Honda) 1:36.937 +0.352
5. Jakub Kornfeil (KTM) 1:36.967 +0.382
15. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:37.450 +0.865
21. Can Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:37.605 +1.020

61 CAN ÖNCÜ

“I felt quite good during both sessions. In the afternoon we were faster than in FP1, lowering our personal best from the morning. However, we need to continue working and taking further steps forward. If it doesn’t rain in FP3, I think we have a chance to go directly through to Q2. We will see what happens tomorrow but, without a doubt, we will do everything in our power.”

53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“Today’s first two Free Practice sessions were positive for us. FP1 went well, since we took a step forward compared to the last race at Brno. In the afternoon we also did a good job, but I think we can still be a little higher up the order. Due to the new qualifying system, tomorrow morning we have to set a fast lap in order to go straight into Q2. When I wanted to do that today it was too late. We will try our best again tomorrow.”