Overview
- Álex Márquez took MotoGP pole at Montmeló with a circuit‑record 1:37.536, with Fabio Quartararo joining him on the front row and Marc Márquez qualifying third as Pedro Acosta was shuffled to fifth after a deleted lap.
- KTM set Friday’s tone in Catalonia as Brad Binder topped the decisive Practice and Pedro Acosta led the morning session, while Pecco Bagnaia’s slump continued as he failed to escape Q1 and will start 21st.
- Marc Márquez cautioned Ducati would need to take extra risks and “suffer” in practice at a circuit he says is more demanding for his package this year.
- MotoGP confirmed a 2026 ownership change at Tech3, with a Guenther Steiner‑led consortium to take full control; Steiner will serve as CEO, Richard Coleman becomes team director, and Hervé Poncharal shifts to a consultant role next year.
- In F1 qualifying at Monza, Max Verstappen secured pole with a new track record of 1:18.792; Alpine’s Franco Colapinto improved to 14th in FP3 but was out in Q1 and will start 18th as the team announced Pierre Gasly’s deal through 2028.