MotoGP 2025 Round 3: Americas GP – Marc Márquez Tops Practice with Dominant Pace, 0.736 Seconds Clear
Practice for Round 3 of the 2025 MotoGP season at the Americas GP was held under dry conditions, with track temperatures hovering around 24°C. Though the surface was still gradually drying, Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), who had crashed during FP1, bounced back in emphatic fashion to set the fastest lap of the session with a 2’02.929. His time was a commanding 0.736 seconds quicker than the next-fastest rider, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). Di Giannantonio’s teammate Franco Morbidelli maintained his strong form to take 3rd, following up on his FP1-topping performance.
Márquez Unleashes Blistering Speed at His Favorite COTA
Despite suffering a highside crash at Turn 2 during FP1, Marc Márquez displayed his trademark dominance at the Circuit of the Americas, a venue where he’s enjoyed repeated success. His 2’02.929 lap underlined his mastery of the technical layout and secured the top spot in practice. His teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, managed to take 10th, narrowly securing a Q2 berth—just 0.120 seconds ahead of 11th-placed Fabio Quartararo.
VR46 Duo Maintain Momentum
Franco Morbidelli, fresh off a strong Argentine GP and quickest in FP1, stayed on pace to finish 3rd in practice. His teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, claimed 2nd place behind Márquez. However, the gap between him and Márquez stood at a significant 0.736 seconds, highlighting the Ducati Lenovo rider’s edge.
Ducati Locks Out the Top 5
The practice session once again showcased Ducati’s strength. Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) continued his consistent early-season form to finish 4th. Rookie Fermín Aldeguer, his teammate, slotted into 5th. With all top five positions claimed by Ducati machines, the manufacturer’s pace advantage remains clear.
Miller Once Again Leads Yamaha Effort
Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha) emerged as the top Yamaha rider with a lap of 2’03.953. While this left him 1.024 seconds adrift of Márquez, the gap to 5th-placed Aldeguer was just 0.051 seconds. Factory Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo narrowly missed out on Q2 in 11th, while Alex Rins ended up 17th.
Joan Mir Best Among Honda Riders
Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) led the Honda contingent, putting in a solid performance to take 9th place and secure a Q2 spot. Teammates Luca Marini, Johann Zarco, and Somkiat Chantra finished 15th, 20th, and 21st respectively.
Ogura Struggles Slightly at COTA
Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), who had expressed excitement about riding a MotoGP bike at COTA, ended the session in 14th. The 5,513-meter track is among the longest and most technical on the calendar. As Ogura continues adapting to the demands of a MotoGP machine, there is hope he can climb higher in the standings with further track time.