Deniz Öncü sets the sixth fastest time of the day, with Celestino Vietti twelfth.

The start of the Japanese Grand Prix was a positive one for Red Bull KTM Ajo. Celestino Vietti and Deniz Öncü finished Friday with a good feeling, despite the difficult track conditions throughout the day. Vietti set the twelfth fastest time, while Öncü finished in sixth place.

The first session featured the threat of rain, although the session was held in the dry. The intermediate class riders looked to fine-tune their setups at Mobility Resort Motegi, and Vietti made it into the Top 10 in a very productive practice ride ahead of the first qualifying session of the weekend. The Italian, who completed a total of 18 laps, set his best time on his penultimate attempt, with a 1:51.044 that put him in tenth place. Öncü faced Free Practice with great determination, although he struggled with the conditions. The Turkish Red Bull KTM Ajo rider eventually set the fifteenth best time, with a 1:51.125.

In the afternoon, the pair were very consistent from start to finish. Vietti and Öncü improved their times and occupied the top two positions during part of Practice 1. Vietti maintained a good pace and worked with Sunday’s race in mind, in addition to looking at a direct spot in Q2 as Saturday’s weather is forecast to be more adverse. His 1:50.246 put him in twelfth place. Öncü also followed the same strategy and, after occupying the top positions, he remained in the Top 10 and even fought for the Top 5. Finally, his 1:50.099 was the sixth best time of the day.

Qualifying for the intermediate class will be held on Saturday and will start at 1:45 pm, local time.
 

Practice 1 Results
1. Filip Salac (Kalex) 1:49.716
2. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:46.762 +0.046
3. Marcos Ramirez (Kalex) 1:49.811 +0.095
4. Ai Ogura (Boscoscuro) 1:50.015 +0.299
5. Izan Guevara (Kalex) 1:50.072 +0.356
6. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:50.099 +0.383
12. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:50:246 +0.530

#13 CELESTINO VIETTI

“It was quite a positive first day. We had different conditions in each session, but we were able to try some different things. The positive is that we have understood where we need to improve. Tomorrow we hope to make a step forward, because today the pace was quite good. We only need to find a little something to be able to ride a bit faster, but we are on our way with a good feeling.”

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“It’s been a good start to the weekend. In Free Practice we struggled a bit in the wet conditions, but in the afternoon in Practice 1 we began the session fast. Let’s see what the forecast for the next few days will be, because more rain is expected. We are quite positive at the moment and we’ll try to do better tomorrow.”