The Italian will head the starting grid at Sachsenring, with Marcel Schrötter 22nd.

Saturday in Germany was very positive for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team. Although both riders had to go through Q1, Celestino Vietti and Marcel Schrötter took a big step forward and showed great improvement. Vietti pulled out all the stops to take his first pole position of the season.

Amidst noticeably better conditions than the previous day in Practice 2,  Vietti needed few laps to improve on his previous times. Continuing to modify his setup in each session, he challenged for a direct spot in Q2. When his best lap was cancelled out due to yellow flags, his 1:23.377 placed him in 18th position -19th overall. Schrötter also upped his pace and closed the gap to the riders around him. He put in a total of 14 laps; his 1:23.377 on the eleventh attempt, keeping him 21st. He was 22nd on the combined timesheets, meaning he joined his teammate in Q1.

Vietti made a steady push in Q1, climbing positions lap after lap. In the closing minutes, the Italian set the best time of 1:23.111, taking him through to Q2. Schrötter was only able to finish eighth, with a time of 1:23.506, leaving him 22nd on the grid for his home race. Vietti saved one of his best performances of the season for Q2, grabbing the top spot in the final moments and moving closer to the circuit record. His 1:22.778 provided him with his first pole position of 2024.

The 25-lap Moto2 race takes place at 12:15 pm CEST on Sunday.

Results Qualifying
1. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:22.778
2. Jake Dixon (Kalex) 1:22.825 +0.047
3. Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro) 1:22.905 +0.127
4. Senna Agius (Kalex) 1:22.941 +0.163
5. Manuel Gonzalez (Kalex) 1:22.992 +0.214
22. Marcel Schrötter (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:23.506 +0.395 *Q1 Time

 

#13 CELESTINO VIETTI

“I am really really happy with this result, especially at a track where I didn’t expect to do it. We have worked well with the team. We didn’t start too badly, being realistic at a circuit where I always struggle. I had to go through Q1 because in the morning I set my hot lap with an unexpected yellow flag, so it was cancelled out. We had the speed and this afternoon I was confident and got a good tow to help get me into Q2. I gave my all to make this pole possible. I am really happy and we will fight tomorrow to get amongst the top positions.”

#32 MARCEL SCHRÖTTER

“I am a bit disappointed. Of course, I expected more, because we were getting closer and closer to the guys at the front. I took another step forward and hoped to get into Q2, and I was close. I wanted to get a better position for the team, for myself and for the fans at my home GP. In any case, we will take the positives away: We are getting closer and working well. We are looking forward to the race tomorrow and want to keep improving.”