Maximo Quiles tops Moto3 practice under the lights in Qatar

Now, let me tell you about Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), because the rider was simply flying under the lights at Lusail. Topping the afternoon session and repeating the feat in the evening, he proved his form was no fluke. It was not an entirely clean day at the office, however, as he suffered a big highside at the end of FP1. Still, a lap of 2’03.172 put him clear at the top while a tight second covered the entire top 14.

Quiles managed to pull two tenths of a cushion over David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) in second place. Almansa sat just 0.071s ahead of his teammate David Muñoz, who also hit the asphalt with a crash in FP1 before bouncing back to secure a spot inside the top three for the evening.

Further down the order, Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) translated his strong form from his home round in Malaysia into a solid performance here. He slotted in just ahead of Sepang podium finisher Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia). Unfortunately for Pratama, a 6-place grid penalty awaits on Sunday after he failed to respect yellow flags in FP1 for a second time in 2026.

The battle to avoid Q1 claimed some massive scalps. Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) grabbed 14th to make the cut, leaving Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) stranded in 15th. Carpe will be forced through Q1 alongside his teammate Brian Uriarte, with the rookie managing only 21st for his worst Friday of the season so far.

They will be joined in the Saturday afternoon scrap by Adrian Cruces (CIP GreenPower), Ruche Moodley (CODE Motorsports), and Guido Pini (Leopard Racing), all of whom will be desperate to fight their way through.