Moto3 Austria 2 FP1: Celestino Vietti untouchable, the Tech3 team in the top 6

For those who don't watch them, and it's a shame for them, we could schematize the races in the Moto3 category as follows: Around ten riders are regularly at the front and fight like rags while Darryn Binder (KTM, CIP-GREEN POWER), generally poorly qualified, makes a fantastic comeback at the cost of trapper braking.

Among the headliners, we almost always find Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota), the championship leader, but also Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia), John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing), Tatsuki suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse), Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team), gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), Jeremy Alcove (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) and other Jaume Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing).

Then, as the final laps approach, the actions become more virile but these young drivers are so skillful that they offer us a mind-blowing spectacle, fairing against fairing, the outcome of which remains unknown to us until the final moment. .

But that was before ! Before the Austrian Grand Prix where the two orange and blue KTMs from the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team came to play in the big leagues, and even, in turns, took the lead in the race.

This weekend, we're back for a lap on the same circuit. So, will the hierarchy stay the same or will it be shaken up by outsiders? To find out, go to the first free practice sessions.

Here is a summary table of the times between the two Grands Prix:

Moto3™ Red Bull Ring 2	16/08/20	23/08/20
FP1	1'36.550 Tony Arbolino	1'35.997 Celestino Vietti
FP2	1'37.060 Johan McPhee
FP3	1'42.775 Celestino Vietti
Q1	1'37.032 Ricardo Rossi
Q2	1'36.277 Raúl Fernández
Warm-up	1'36.483 Celestino Vietti
Course	Arenas, Masia, McPhee
All time lap record	1'35.778 Tony Arbolino 2019

Nine o'clock sharp, the pit lane opens to make way for the inaugural session of this very first Styrian Grand Prix, the second GP taking place on the Red Bull Ring circuit. The temperatures are not yet too hot and rather ideal to start with 21 degrees in the air and 29 degrees on the track.

The two teammates of the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team, Deniz Oncu et Ayumu Sasaki, are the first to set off and set a time, but it is ultimately Jaume Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing) who places his name at the top of the timesheet with a reference time of 1'38.100.

John mcphee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) made a mistake in turn 10, followed a few seconds later by Masia in turn 3. Small fall from the front for the two men who immediately get up.

After ten minutes, Tony Arbolino (Honda, Snipers Team) took the lead in front Darryn binder (KTM, CIP Green Power), Masia, Raul Fernandez (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team) and Barry Baltus (KTM, CarXpert PruestelGP). Aged only 16, the latter debuted in the category and achieved his best session. Afterwards, Filip Salac (Honda, Snipers Team), Sergio García (Honda, Estrella Galicia 0,0), Niccolo Antonelli (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Carlos Tatay (KTM, Reale Avintia Racing) complete the top 10.

Halfway through the session, the Italian driver is still leading, this time in front Celestine Vietti (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46), Arenas, Tatay et Dennis Foggia (Honda, Leopard Racing). Behind we find Antonelli, Binder, Masia, Salač et Andrea Migno (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46).

The session is rather calm, without any other falls or notable events. The two teammates of the Sky VR46 team carry out their usual teamwork and help each other. Drive then takes the lead of the session 15 minutes from the end and widens a gap of five tenths on Cute. Arbolino is relayed in third position.

Arenas and Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia) come in second place while gabriel rodrigo (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) and Öncü entered the top 10 in eighth and ninth places. The Turk is even progressing into the top 6.

Four minutes from the end, Drive increases the pace and sets a time of 1'36.143, which is already faster than last weekend's pole position! Öncü goes back to second place, but several tenths behind the Italian, who is on another planet.

Drive continues its momentum and goes below the 1'36 mark with a time of 1'35.997. However, he made a mistake in turn 1. No one was able to do better and he therefore retained first place ahead. Arenas et Jeremy Alcoba (Honda, Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) who took the top 3 in the final moments. Öncü finally finished sixth when his teammate Sasaki finished tenth.

FP1 Moto3 classification of the Styrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com