MotoGP Japan Practice LIVE: Brad Binder puts everyone in agreement

The Japanese Grand Prix, round 16 of the 2024 MotoGP Championship, saw the weather play a central role in the opening practice at Mobility Resort Motegi. After a night of rain and a light drizzle during the session, the track was still wet, creating tricky conditions for the 23 riders on the grid.

Pecco Bagnaia, the reigning champion, pulled off a masterstroke by setting the best time with 1'45.209, very close to the time of George Martin in 2023. Martin, current championship leader, set the second fastest time just 0,109 seconds behind bagnaia, confirming that the fight for the title remains extremely tight.

Fabio DiGiannantonio, on the Ducati VR46 GP23, surprised by taking third place, closely followed by Marc Marquez, which continues to adapt to the Ducati GP23 of Gresini Racing. Jack Miller, on the KTM, completed the Top 5, showing solid pace despite the difficult conditions.

Marco Bezzecchi, Joan Mir, and John Zarco also distinguished themselves with notable performances, occupying sixth, seventh, and eighth place respectively. Maverick VinalesOn Aprilia, and Enea Bastianini on the factory Ducati, completed the Top 10.

However, the wet conditions caused difficulties for some drivers, including fabio quartararo, who finished a disappointing 17th, whileAleix Espargaró et Brad Binder were unable to climb to the top of the rankings.

With uncertain weather for the rest of the weekend, drivers will have to remain cautious and adjust their strategies to maximize their chances of success in this crucial phase of the championship. What will this decisive Practice have in store for us to know who will go directly to Q2 for Saturday's qualifying? Before we know, here is the table that summarizes the facts known so far.

MotoGP™ Japan, Motegi	2023	2024
FP1	1'45.192 Jorge Martin (See here)	1'45.209 Francesco Bagnaia (See here)
Practice	1'43.489 Brad Binder (See here)	1'43.436 Brad Binder
FP2	1'44.622 Marco Bezzecchi (See here)	(See here)
Q1	1'43.997 Marc Marquez (See here)	(See here)
Q2	1'43.198 Jorge Martin (See here)	(See here)
Sprint	Martin, Binder, Bagnaia (See here)	(See here)
Warm Up	1'46.047 Jack Miller (See here)	(See here)
Course	Martin, Bagnaia, M. Marquez (See here)	(See here)
All time lap record	1'43.198 Jorge Martin (See here)

Welcome to Japan! The weather has been unpredictable since this morning... light showers are making their way into the tests, making the track slightly damp.

This session will last 60 minutes and will position the 10 best times for Q2.

The drivers are already setting off, fearing the rain...

Martin takes the lead in 1.44.916:XNUMX ahead of Zarco and Vinales

A newcomer at Aprilia in 2025

Bagnaia takes control in 1.44.072s ahead of Martin, Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio, Acosta, Bastaianini, Miller, AEspargaro, Morbidelli and Zarco

Fall of AFernandez.

New personnel movement in 2025…

There are 41 minutes left in this session and Bagnaia is still in command of the ship…Martin, Acosta, Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio, Bastaianini, Quartararo, Vinales, Miller and AEsparagro would be the 10 drivers qualified for the hour for Q2

Fall of Fernandez

Big fall for Bastianini..

With 30 minutes to go, no one has managed to beat Bagnaia's time set at the start of the session, in 1.44.072s. Martin, Vinales, Acosta, Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio, MMarquez, Bastianini, Quartararo and Miller are currently the 10 drivers who would make it to Q2.

The minutes are ticking by and the drivers are in the pits: they have 15 minutes left to make the difference...knowing that Bagnaia is still at the forefront in 1.44.072s. Martin, Vinales, Acosta, R.Fernandez, Bezzecchi, Di Gianantonio, M.Marquez, Bastianini and Quartararo would be the rest of the troops qualified for Q2

It accelerates at the end of the session….

Binder takes the hand before being plaughs by Acosta

Acosta takes the lead in 1.43.754s ahead of Binder, Bagnaia, Martin and MMarquez

Martin accelerates and puts everyone in agreement in 1.43.568s. Bagnaia takes the 2nd best time in 1.43.754s. Acosta, Binder and MMarquez complete this provisional top 5.

Fall of Zarco

Binder goes on the offensive and takes the best time in 1.43.436s. 

Miller Falls

Nakagami misses out on Q2…

End of session: the 10 drivers qualified for Q2 are: Binder, MMarquez, Martin, Acosta, Bastianini, Vinales, Bagnaia, AMarquez, Di Giannantonio and Bezzecchi

Full results: