Moto 2 Moto GP
Published on August 18, 2023 • 10:30 AM by Oléna Champlain

Moto2 Austria FP1: Somkiat Chantra knows the song

Moto2 begins its Austrian Grand Prix with, since the last race, a new leader in its overall standings.

Austria

Before starting this Austrian Grand Prix which marks the tenth stage of the season in the category which is intended to be the last door to cross before entering MotoGP, it must be remembered that the last winner to date is Fermin Aldeguer. The latter indeed won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. It was the first success of his career for the SpeedUp driver, an achievement which came after a qualifying which saw him start from the second box on the grid. Once the driver of Luca Boscoscuro's team took the lead of the race, he repelled the attacks made by Aron Canet (Pons), second at the finish.

On the third step of the podium, we found Pedro Acosta (Red Bull Ajo), which, thanks to the anonymous race of Tony Arbolino (Marc VDS), who finished tenth, is the new leader in the world ranking, 2 points ahead of the Marc VDS Racing driver. Fourth at the finish Joe Roberts, which preceded Manuel Gonzalez (VR46 MasterCamp), Barry Baltus (Racing GP), Sam Lowes (Marc VDS) and Ai Ogura (Team Asia).

The Top Ten was closed by Somkiat Chantra (Team Asia) and as mentioned, Tony Arbolino. Also in points Jeremy Alcove (Gresini), Celestine Vietti (Fantic Racing), Filip Salac (Gresini), Albert Arenas (Red Bull Ajo) and Darryn binder (GP intact).

Moto2 | GP Silverstone Race: first success for Aldeguer, Acosta new leader of the World Championship

What will this have in store for us? Austrian Grand Prix Moto2 version? We will begin to find out with this first free practice session, and, in doing so, we will have in mind, thanks to this table, the unfolding of past events.

Moto2™ Red Bull Ring 

 Austria 2022

Austria 2023
FP1

1'35.000 Jake Dixon

 1'34.160 Somkiat Chantra
FP2

1'34.353 Somkiat Chantra
FP3

1'34.016 Jake Dixon
Q1

1'34.310 Cameron Beaubier
Q2

1'33.933 Ai Ogura
Warm up

1'34.684 Fermín Aldeguer

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Course

Ogura, Chantra, Dixon (See here)
All time lap record

1'33.933 Ai Ogura 2022 (new chicane)

Dry conditions and mild skies are the conditions offered to the pilots for these 40 minutes of exercise.

Here we go !

Marcos Ramirez returned to American Racing after starting the season with Forward to replace Sean Dylan Kelly. At SAG Mattia Rato replaces Taigahada.

Drive achieves the first reference in 1'36.278 but Chantra answers him in 1'35.808. in front Acosta. After 10 minutes, Manuel Gonzalez raise the tone in 1'35.351. Chantra doesn't leave him in charge for long, proving to be a little over two tenths faster. Arbolino is fourth in front Ogura.

After the first quarter of an hour, Chantra is the first to pass the 1'35 per lap mark with a 1'34.662. Acosta follows him both in the ranking and in this time zone. Ogura is third, Arbolino is fourth and Dixon seventh.

The big absentee from the times is Aron canet plagued by brake problems on his Kalex of a teamp Pons which is said to be the final season. The Spanish pilot would find refuge in 2024 with Fantic.

As the last five minutes are glimpsed, Acosta takes the lead in 1'34.425, dislodging Chantra from his position as leader. Ogura, ArboliNo. et Drive close the provisional top 5. Canet is 21st, Dixon ninth.

Salac reveals itself in sight of the checkered flag. The Gresini driver who will be at Marc VDS next year is second. When the final whistle blows, it's Chantra who goes first in front Acosta, Salac, Ogura et Arbolino. Aldeguer leads the rest of the peloton ahead Dixon, Vietti, Arenas et Gonzalez which completes the top 10.

Results from FP1 of the Austrian Moto2 Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com