The 2025 Italian MotoGP kicked off at Mugello with a Friday practice session packed with surprises, drama, and a shake-up at the top of the timesheets. As the ninth round of the season, this iconic race comes at a pivotal moment in the championship, with Marc Marquez leading the standings and local hero Pecco Bagnaia aiming to defend his Mugello dominance. Friday’s sessions saw Maverick Vinales and KTM steal Ducati’s thunder on home soil, while Fabio Quartararo’s gritty comeback from a dislocated shoulder became the talk of the paddock. With several manufacturers in the mix and injuries adding intrigue, the stage is set for a thrilling Italian Grand Prix weekend.
2025 Italian MotoGP: Vinales and KTM Shine in Ducati Territory
Maverick Vinales delivered a statement performance for Red Bull KTM Tech3, clocking a fastest lap of 1:44.634 in the final minutes of Friday’s premier-class practice—just a tenth off Mugello’s all-time lap record. This effort put him 0.110 seconds clear of Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia, who had been expected to dominate at his home circuit after a strong showing in Aragon. Marc Marquez, the current championship leader, was third, narrowly ahead of his brother Alex Marquez, both on Ducatis.
Top 10 MotoGP Friday Practice Results (Afternoon Session):
| Position | Rider | Team | Bike | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maverick Vinales | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | KTM RC16 | 1:44.634 |
| 2 | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati Lenovo Team | Ducati GP25 | 1:44.744 |
| 3 | Marc Marquez | Ducati Lenovo Team | Ducati GP25 | 1:44.780 |
| 4 | Alex Marquez | BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP | Ducati GP24 | 1:44.787 |
| 5 | Fabio Quartararo | Monster Energy Yamaha | Yamaha M1 | 1:44.945 |
| 6 | Marco Bezzecchi | Aprilia Racing | Aprilia RS-GP | 1:44.995 |
| 7 | Alex Rins | Monster Energy Yamaha | Yamaha M1 | 1:45.084 |
| 8 | Pedro Acosta | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | KTM RC16 | 1:45.100 |
| 9 | Franco Morbidelli | Pertamina Enduro VR46 | Ducati GP24 | 1:45.144 |
| 10 | Fabio di Giannantonio | Pertamina Enduro VR46 | Ducati GP25 | 1:45.279 |
Quartararo’s Courage: From Crash to Q2
Fabio Quartararo’s Friday was nothing short of heroic. The 2021 world champion suffered a heavy crash early in the afternoon session, resulting in a partial dislocation of his left shoulder. Despite the pain and a dramatic scene in the gravel trap as marshals helped him reset the joint, Quartararo returned to the track less than 15 minutes later. He pushed through the discomfort to secure fifth on the timesheets, ensuring direct access to Saturday’s crucial Q2 qualifying session.
“Despite the injury, Quartararo was back on his Yamaha less than 15 minutes later and climbed as high as sixth by the midpoint of the hour-long session.”
Aprilia and KTM Challenge Ducati’s Home Advantage
While Ducati has been the dominant force at Mugello in recent years, Friday’s practice sessions showed a much tighter contest. Vinales’ pace on the KTM was a standout, while Marco Bezzecchi gave Aprilia fans reason to cheer by topping the morning session with a 1:46.199—matched exactly by KTM rookie Pedro Acosta. Brad Binder followed closely in third, and Marc Marquez was the fastest Ducati in fourth during FP.
Bagnaia, undefeated at Mugello since 2021, set the early pace but found himself shuffled back as rivals upped the ante. The direct Q2 spots went to a mix of KTM, Ducati, Yamaha, and Aprilia riders, underlining the competitiveness of the current MotoGP field.
Honda’s Struggles Continue
The Italian GP’s opening day was less encouraging for Honda, with Johann Zarco the top Honda in tenth during FP1 and only 17th in the afternoon. Joan Mir and Takaaki Nakagami also struggled to crack the top 15, highlighting ongoing development challenges for the Japanese marque.
Ai Ogura’s Return and Injury Watch
Japanese rider Ai Ogura made his MotoGP return at Mugello after missing two rounds due to a fractured tibia. Cleared to race, Ogura admitted to a lack of fitness training ahead of the weekend but reported feeling no pain and was optimistic about his recovery. He finished Friday in 19th, a respectable result given his recent injury and time away from the bike.
With Vinales and KTM disrupting Ducati’s homecoming, and Quartararo’s resilience capturing headlines, Saturday’s qualifying promises fireworks. The top ten from Friday’s practice have secured direct access to Q2, setting up a high-stakes battle for pole position. With championship leader Marc Marquez seeking his first Mugello win since 2014 and Bagnaia determined to reclaim his turf, the Italian Grand Prix is wide open heading into the weekend.
