Unpredictable Skies Loom Over 2024 Japanese MotoGP: Friday Practice Live Updates

2024 Japanese MotoGP: Live Coverage of Friday Practice!

Stay tuned for real-time updates from the Friday practice session at the 2024 Japanese MotoGP. Following an eventful weekend in Mandalika, the championship battle sees Jorge Martin leading Francesco Bagnaia by 21 points as they head into the Japanese race.

Martin could have marked his first grand prix win since May in Le Mans, but a misstep by the Pramac racer during the initial lap of the Sprint allowed Bagnaia to exit Indonesia having narrowed the championship gap by three points.

Last year at Motegi, Martin achieved a remarkable feat by claiming victory in both events. He secured a win in the dry Sprint race, finishing ahead of KTM's Brad Binder. Later, he triumphed over Bagnaia in the rain-soaked grand prix, which was halted after 12 laps because of the adverse weather.

Rainy conditions are predicted once more for the 2024 event.

A collision on Sunday in Mandalika involving Enea Bastianini and an engine malfunction experienced by Marc Marquez have jeopardized their chances of securing the title. Despite these setbacks, they enter this weekend's competition separated by a mere three points as they contend for third place.

Last year at Motegi, Marquez earned his last podium finish with Honda.

Pedro Acosta, who finished second in Mandalika, might once more pose a challenge to the Ducati team. Meanwhile, Binder aims to reclaim the fifth position in the rankings from the teammate he will join in the future.

Last year, Jack Miller started from the front row and could be a key competitor if the weather conditions deteriorate.

The circuit, characterized by frequent stopping and starting, will challenge Aprilia's advancements in braking. Meanwhile, Yamaha and Honda are striving to maintain their positions within the top ten, especially with the presence of their factory executives.

The first practice session kicks off at 10:45 a.m. local time, which is 2:45 a.m. BST, and is succeeded by another practice round at 3 p.m. local

2024 Japanese MotoGP, Motegi – Results from Friday's Practice Session

With six minutes left on the clock, the majority of the riders deemed the conditions too hazardous and returned to the pits.

…However, there are indications that additional rain is expected in the pit lane.

Cyclists are still leaving, and as long as the weather stays dry, the session is expected to end on a high note with lots of activity.

Vinales, Acosta, Raul Fernandez, and Martin have returned to the track as well.

With just 12 minutes remaining, the pit lane sprang back into action as Quartararo, Marini, Miller, and Bezzecchi all returned to the track, this time on slick tires.

With 18 minutes left, all the drivers are still in the pit area.

The sun is beginning to shine through the clouds, yet it's the typical situation where the track is neither dry enough for slick tires nor wet enough for wet tires.

Quartararo and Rins from the Monster Yamaha team are having a conversation in the pit lane as they anticipate the weather conditions.

Present sequence:

The umbrellas are being opened now…

Footage from the onboard cameras reveals that raindrops continue to fall on the backstretch.

Martin and Bagnaia determine that the situation is too risky and choose to head into the pits.

Bagnaia recently overtook Martin to claim first place, with Fabio di Giannantonio securing third position, trailed by Marc Marquez and Jack Miller.

Please

Spectators remain outside, and at the moment, there are only a few drops of rain. People in the grandstands haven't opened their umbrellas yet.

With 32 minutes remaining, the rain flags are currently being displayed…

Francesco Bagnaia, the current champion and contender for the title against Martin, has made a comeback, reducing the gap to only 0.087 seconds behind the Pramac team rider.

Title leader Jorge Martin has become the first racer to achieve a lap time in the low 1 minute 45 seconds range this weekend. His performance is only a few tenths slower than his fastest lap during the initial practice session last year.

Nakagami, Mir, and Alex Marquez lead the pack in speed following the initial laps.

Remy Gardner experienced a premature exit at the braking area of Turn 11.

The majority of racers are opting for medium tires on both the front and rear wheels, though some are choosing soft tires for the front.

The green lights signal the start of the 45-minute MotoGP FP1 session.

In what is his last home grand prix as a full-time racer, Takaaki Nakagami, along with Aleix Espargaro, Francesco Bagnaia, and Marc Marquez, are showcasing unique helmet designs for the weekend event.

At Motegi, the use of larger front brake discs, either 340 mm or 355 mm, is required. This is because the track features significant braking areas, particularly at Turns 1, 4, and most notably at Turn 11, where the back straight concludes.

The smaller 320 mm discs are also prohibited at the Red Bull Ring and Buriram circuits.

Two prospective MotoGP racers experienced differing outcomes towards the end of the initial Moto2 session.

Ai Ogura, who races for Trackhouse and is leading the Moto2 standings in 2025, kicked off his home grand prix by securing a tight second place, trailing Filip Salac by just 0.014 seconds. Meanwhile, Fermin Aldeguer, who is set to join Gresini Ducati in the future, experienced a fall that landed him in sixth place.

Somkiat Chantra, the 2025 LCR Honda racer, is missing from the Motegi event due to a leg injury he sustained last Sunday.

Key lap times to keep an eye on today include the fastest lap from the first practice session (FP1) at the 2023 Japanese MotoGP. Additionally, it's worth noting the official lap records for the Motegi MotoGP circuit. In related news, Miguel Oliveira will not be participating due to a right wrist fracture sustained in Mandalika. Taking his place at Trackhouse this weekend is Aprilia's test rider, Lorenzo Savadori.

Remy Gardner, a regular competitor in the World Superbike series, is set to participate for the third time this season with Yamaha, entering as a wild-card in the manufacturer’s home event.

In less than 30 minutes, the MotoGP practice session is set to kick off at Motegi in Japan.

The Moto2 competitors are now in the concluding moments of their first free practice session.

Throughout the morning, intermittent rain showers have prompted the appearance of red and white flags during the initial phases of the Moto2 practice session.

The areas that were previously affected have improved, but there is a possibility of more rain today and continuing through the weekend.

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