Overview
- Pedro Acosta led the afternoon session with a 1:29.240, edging Marco Bezzecchi by 0.053 seconds as Franco Morbidelli, Alex Marquez, Ai Ogura, Jack Miller, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Fermin Aldeguer, Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo secured direct Q2 spots.
- Francesco Bagnaia ended the day 14th and must go through Q1, while Jack Miller topped FP1 after late tyre changes skewed the morning order.
- Jorge Martin returned from a broken collarbone under medical caution, accepted two long-lap penalties from Motegi and vowed to avoid risks or stop if pain returns.
- Raul Fernandez was cleared to race after his Portimao crash, which he attributed to a technical defect, though he continues to manage shoulder issues.
- Friday featured several incidents and tests as Brad Binder crashed in FP1, Quartararo’s Yamaha leaked fluid and stopped, Bezzecchi, Ogura and Augusto Fernandez fell, wildcards ran with Augusto Fernandez on Yamaha’s V4 and Aleix Espargaro on Honda, and world champion Marc Marquez remained absent.