Marc Marquez sets the early pace over Bezzecchi in Qatar FP1

Here is the thing about Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team): when a match-point weekend arrives, the man just knows how to drop the hammer immediately. Kicking off the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, Marquez laid down a benchmark lap of 1:52.278 that put him right at the summit of the FP1 timing sheets.

He wasn't entirely unchallenged, though. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) pushed his machine hard enough to slot into second, finishing just 0.110s adrift of the top spot. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) produced a brilliant final flying lap to snatch third place, reminding everyone of his winning pedigree at this very venue back in 2023.

Further down the order, the session brought mixed fortunes. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), currently second in the championship standings, made a promising return to action by locking down fifth place, though his gap to Marquez sits at 0.7s as everyone prepares for Practice. Wedged right between Di Giannantonio and Martin was Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in fourth. Unfortunately for Acosta, who remains mathematically in the title fight, his session was cut short by a late technical issue with his RC16 machine.

It wasn't a completely clean start for the rest of the grid either. Both Jake Dixon (Honda HRC Castrol)—stepping in this weekend to stand in for Joan Mir—and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) suffered early crashes during the opening session. Thankfully, both riders walked away completely okay from their respective tip-offs.

So, Marquez holds the early cards with Bezzecchi and Di Giannantonio standing as the only two contenders able to close within half a second of his stunning pace. Now, the entire grid shifts its full attention toward securing that vital top 10 position under the lights in Practice.