David Almansa wasted no time in the first free practice session of Moto3 Austria 2026. The Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP rider set the benchmark with a lap of 1:40.595 at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg on Friday (18/9). Meanwhile, Indonesian rider Veda Pratama had to settle for eighth place, 1.184 seconds adrift of Almansa.
The weather in Spielberg presented a challenge. Air temperature was just 10 degrees Celsius, while humidity reached 89 percent. Although the track was declared dry, the cold conditions required riders to adapt quickly. Almansa made the most of it, attacking from the start.
Behind Almansa, Maximo Quiles of CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team took second, 0.648 seconds back. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) completed the top three, just 0.046 seconds behind Quiles. The battle at the front was incredibly tight, with minimal gaps between riders.
Veda Pratama, riding for Honda Team Asia, showed solid pace. Although he couldn't match the front-runners, he was only 0.094 seconds behind Joel Esteban in seventh. This provides valuable momentum for Veda ahead of qualifying, especially at a circuit like the Red Bull Ring that demands bravery under braking.
The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo, Alvaro Carpe and Brian Uriarte, finished fourth and fifth, 0.705 and 0.754 seconds off Almansa respectively. Home hero Leo Rammerstorfer had to settle for 21st, 2.374 seconds down. He is still searching for the best setup for his bike in front of his home crowd.
With FP1 in the books, Almansa sets the early pace, but the gaps are razor-thin. FP2 and qualifying will be the real test, especially for Veda Pratama, who is eager to improve his position. Don't miss the action at the Red Bull Ring this weekend.
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