Pedro Acosta emerged as the fastest rider on Friday at the Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, dominating his rivals in the MotoGP Austria 2026 practice sessions. The young Spaniard topped both FP1 and Practice, sending a strong signal that he is ready to fight at the front this weekend.
Meanwhile, Marc Marquez had to settle for fourth on the opening day. However, Marquez is known for his slow-burn approach, and he must defend his championship lead from Jorge Martin, who is tied on points. Martin himself ended Friday in fifth, indicating their fierce duel will continue in Austria.
Marco Bezzecchi did not have an ideal Friday. The Italian arrived in Austria after a DNF in Misano and could only manage ninth place. Although he avoided Q1, his feeling on the bike is not yet convincing. He needs to dig deep if he does not want to fall further behind Marquez and Martin in the standings.
Good news came from Ai Ogura, who secured third place. The Japanese rider returned after missing two races due to injury and immediately showed competitive speed. His comeback adds another layer of excitement to the premier class battle.
Full Saturday Schedule, 2026
Track action at the Red Bull Ring starts early. At 08:40 local time, the Moto3 FP2 session will open the day. Half an hour later, at 09:25, Moto2 takes over for FP2. MotoGP will head out for the final free practice at 10:10.
Without a long break, the fight for MotoGP pole begins. Q1 is scheduled for 10:50, followed by Q2 at 11:15. Meanwhile, Moto3 and Moto2 will determine their grid positions in the afternoon: Moto3 Q1 at 12:45 and Q2 at 13:10, then Moto2 Q1 at 13:40 and Q2 at 14:05.
The highlight of Saturday is the MotoGP Sprint Race, set for 15:00 over 14 laps. This sprint could be a crucial moment for riders to collect valuable points before Sunday's main race.
How to Watch: Free and Paid Options
To watch qualifying and the Sprint Race live, DAZN will stream online. Subscribers of Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange can enjoy the live broadcast as long as they have the motor package. Another alternative is the MotoGP Videopass with an annual payment, but commentary and subtitles are only available in English.
A free option is available via satellite dish connected to Servus TV, which broadcasts MotoGP openly in Germany via the Astra satellite. Additionally, Sportrik will provide comprehensive coverage throughout the Austrian Grand Prix, including news, rider statements, and analysis. Don't miss the excitement at the Red Bull Ring!
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