MotoGP 2025 Austrian GP Qualifying in 60 Seconds
Marco Bezzecchi produced a sensational turnaround at the Red Bull Ring, charging from Q1 to secure his first pole position since the 2023 Indian Grand Prix. The Aprilia rider edged Francesco Bagnaia, while Alex Marquez split the two for second on the grid. Marc Marquez’s late crash ended his pole hopes, leaving him in fourth.
Bezzecchi Fights Back from Q1
Bezzecchi’s qualifying session didn’t begin smoothly. Forced to go through Q1 after missing automatic promotion, he initially looked set to progress behind Jorge Martin. But Enea Bastianini’s late flyer topped the session, demoting Bezzecchi to second. That was enough to move him into Q2, while Luca Marini edged Martin out, leaving the reigning champion only 14th on the grid.
Drama-Filled Q2
Q2 brought its share of chaos. Johann Zarco crashed early but was unhurt, while Pedro Acosta faced a bizarre moment with his KTM, rolling it back through the paddock entrance after appearing to run out of fuel or encounter a technical glitch.
Francesco Bagnaia initially set the pace, but Bezzecchi shadowed him on track and snatched the top spot. Alex Marquez then split the pair with a strong lap. Bastianini tried for pole but fell short in the final sector, settling for P5.
The biggest drama came when Marc Marquez crashed at the chicane. Though uninjured and able to continue, he couldn’t mount another pole challenge and was left to start from fourth.
Austrian GP Starting Grid
- Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) : 01:28.060s
- Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Ducati) : 01:28.076s
- Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) : 01:28.202s
- Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo) : 01:28.220s
- Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) : 01:28.236s
- Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Ducati) : 01:28.302s
- Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM) : 01:28.416s
- Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina VR46 Ducati) : 01:28.439s
- Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) : 01:28.548s
- Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) : 01:28.671s
- Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) : 01:28.761s
- Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) : 01:28.787s
- Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) : 01:28.628s
- Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) : 01:28.664s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina VR46 Ducati) : 01:28.687s
- Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) : 01:28.738s
- Alex Rins (Monster Yamaha) : 01:28.884s
- Miguel Oliveira (Pramac Yamaha) : 01:29.024s
- Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia) : 01:29.080s
- Jack Miller (Pramac Yamaha) : 01:29.085s
- Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) : 01:29.586
Track History and Context
The Red Bull Ring has been a favored circuit for Francesco Bagnaia in recent years, with the Italian securing victories there in 2023 and 2024. The Austrian circuit’s combination of long straights and heavy braking zones has traditionally suited various manufacturers, making it one of the most competitive stops on the MotoGP calendar.
However, the 2025 qualifying session showed a shift in the established order. Marco Bezzecchi, now riding for Aprilia Racing, claimed pole position, demonstrating that manufacturer dominance at the Red Bull Ring is far from guaranteed. The front row featured a diverse lineup with Alex Marquez (Gresini-Ducati) in second and Bagnaia (Ducati) in third. Marc Marquez had topped all practice sessions leading into qualifying but suffered a crash during the session, relegating him to fourth on the grid despite his strong pace throughout practice.
What to Watch in the Sprint
All eyes will be on Marco Bezzecchi as he starts from pole, aiming to turn his strong qualifying into a much-needed victory. Marc Marquez, despite his crash, remains a contender and will be keen to minimize damage before Sunday’s main race. Jorge Martin, starting from 14th, faces the uphill task of fighting through the pack. The Sprint promises tight battles and potentially championship-defining moments. Racing action begins at 15:00 (UTC +2) with the Tissot Sprint.
Read our mid-season recap here – MotoGP 2025 Mid-Season Recap
FAQs: 2025 Austrian GP Qualifying
Q1: Who took pole position at the 2025 Austrian GP Qualifying?
Marco Bezzecchi secured pole position at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, his first since 2023, after advancing through Q1 and topping Q2 at the Red Bull Ring.
Q2: Why is Marc Marquez starting fourth at the Austrian GP Qualifying?
Marc Marquez was on a strong qualifying run but crashed at the chicane late in Q2, which ended his pole challenge and left him starting from P4.
Q3: How did Francesco Bagnaia perform in qualifying?
Francesco Bagnaia qualified third, just behind Alex Marquez. The Ducati rider remains unbeaten at the Red Bull Ring since 2022.
Q4: What happened to Jorge Martin in Austrian GP qualifying?
Jorge Martin failed to make it out of Q1 after being outpaced by Enea Bastianini and Marco Bezzecchi. He will start 14th on the grid.
Q5: When is the Austrian GP Sprint race?
The Tissot Sprint for the 2025 Austrian GP takes place on Saturday at 15:00 (UTC +2) at the Red Bull Ring.
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