MotoGP | GP Austin FP1: Marini at the top, followed by Quartararo and Zarco

MotoGP Americas GP Austin GP Free Practice 1 – Luca Marini was the fastest in the first free practice session of the MotoGP class in Austin, scene of the Grand Prix of the Americas, third race of the 2023 MotoGP.

The Mooney VR46 Racing Team rider took his Desmosedici to the top with a time of 2:03.250, a time that allowed him to beat a revived Fabio Quartararo, riding the Yamaha Factory, by 0.150s.

Two Ducatis follow, those of the Frenchman Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) and the Spaniard Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing). Jack Miller with the KTM Factory is fifth, ahead of the Ducatis of Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) and Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Factory).

The reigning two-wheel "Red" champion did not use the soft tire and ended the session ahead of Maverick Vinales' Aprilia. Closing out the Top Ten are the Japanese Takaaki Nakagami (Honda LCR) and the KTM Factory of the South African Brad Binder.

Franco Morbidelli riding the Yamaha Factory finished 12th, behind the Honda HRC of the returning Joan Mir and ahead of the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team of the winner of the Argentine Grand Prix Marco Bezzecchi, who crashed without consequences after taking one of the many “holes” present at COTA, Circuit of The Americas.

Fabio Di Giannantonio aboard the Team Gresini Ducati finished in 17th position, ahead of Aleix Espargarò's Aprilia and rookie Augusto Fernandez's GASGAS.

Testers Stefan Bradl (Honda, replacing the injured Marc Marquez), Michele Pirro (Ducati, replacing the injured Enea Bastianini) and Jonas Folger (GASGAS, replacing the injured Pol Espargarò) finished in the last three positions.