Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) deserves a round of applause after setting a new all-time lap record at Phillip Island. His remarkable time of 1:26.465 allowed him to narrowly surpass Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) for pole position by just 0.031 seconds. Joining them on the front row is Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), who delighted the home crowd by progressing through Q1, setting the stage for an exciting Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix.
Q1: Aldeguer and Miller secure Q2 spots
Local favorite Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) was initially in Q1 and quickly established himself as the leader. However, Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), riding high after his Indonesian GP win, claimed the top spot with a time of 1:27.201, while Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) followed closely in second place. The gap between Aldeguer and Binder was just 0.055 seconds, with Miller sitting 0.137 seconds behind in third.
Miller was evidently determined to move into Q2. Aldeguer continued to increase his lead, clocking a time of 1:27.071. Meanwhile, Miller improved his lap time to push above Binder into P2, only 0.144 seconds off Aldeguer. Binder was also pushing hard, but ultimately, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) saw his lap interrupted by traffic and could not secure a place in Q2, leaving Aldeguer and Miller to advance.
Q2: Quartararo makes a late move for pole
As Q2 began at Phillip Island, early on, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) led before crashing at Turn 4. With cheers from Australian fans, Miller took provisional pole with a time of 1:26.885, while Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Tech3) secured P2. Marquez managed to return to the track but quickly found himself dropping down the leaderboard.
Just as Aldeguer matched Espargaro’s lap time, Bezzecchi struggled through the session, landing in P11 at one point. As the clock wound down, Miller faced a brief scare when he went off track but managed to stay upright. Bezzecchi then moved into P1 with a time of 1:26.565 before Marquez crashed again, eliminating his chances of a front-row start.
Back on track, Bezzecchi strengthened his lead. However, Quartararo was on a charge and, after a stellar sector three, timed his final lap perfectly, recording a jaw-dropping 1:26.465 to claim pole position. Miller also improved, securing his place on the front row for the first time since the 2023 Japanese GP.
Final Grid for the Australian GP
This qualifying session provided plenty of excitement. Raul Fernandez finished fourth, with Acosta and Alex Marquez rounding out Row 2 in fifth and sixth. Aldeguer starts seventh, with Espargaro in eighth, followed by Marini and Di Giannantonio, completing the top ten. Bagnaia and Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) follow him on Row 4 after a challenging session.
Upcoming: Tissot Sprint at Phillip Island
Mark your calendars for the Tissot Sprint at Phillip Island! Quartararo leads the pack, Bezzecchi is a strong contender, and Miller is ready to thrill the home crowd. Tune in at 15:00 local time!
