Marquez brothers lead the MotoGP opener as Somkiat makes his premier-class debut at home

Alex Marquez led the opening day of MotoGP 2025 in Buriram, ahead of his brother Marc. Thailand's first premier-class rider, Somkiat Chantra, began his debut weekend just 1.2 seconds off the pace ahead of the Sprint and Grand Prix.

MotoGP 2025 opened its official practice programme on Friday, 28 February, with PT Grand Prix of Thailand at Chang International Circuit. Tens of thousands of fans attended, alongside a worldwide broadcast audience reported at more than 800 million across 220 countries.

On the opening day, riders and engineers worked to find the best settings for the Sprint and Grand Prix, both of which offered valuable championship points at the season opener.

In the Practice session that determined direct entry to Q2, Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez set the fastest lap of 1:29.020. Ducati Lenovo Team’s Marc Marquez was second, just 0.052 seconds behind, followed by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pedro Acosta, 0.242 seconds back.

Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing was fourth, 0.247 seconds off the fastest time. Franco Morbidelli of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team was fifth, 0.286 seconds back, while Honda HRC Castrol’s Joan Mir finished the opening day sixth, 0.378 seconds behind.

Trackhouse Racing's Raul Fernandez finished seventh, 0.442 seconds behind, followed by Monster Energy Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo at 0.465 seconds. Trackhouse rookie Ai Ogura was ninth, 0.577 seconds off the lead, making him the day's fastest rookie. Castrol Honda LCR's Johann Zarco completed the top ten at 0.588 seconds.

Several established riders finished the first day outside the top ten, including Ducati Lenovo Team’s Francesco Bagnaia, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder and Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP’s Jack Miller.

Idemitsu Honda LCR's Somkiat Chantra ended his first MotoGP practice day 21st at 1 minute 30.286 seconds, 1.266 seconds behind the leader, as he adapted to the premier class at his home debut.

In Moto2, Italtrans Racing's Diogo Moreira led with a time of 1 minute 35.030 seconds, just 0.058 seconds ahead of Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP's Manuel Gonzalez. Red Bull KTM Ajo's Deniz Oncu was third, 0.198 seconds behind. Idemitsu Honda Team Asia's Mario Aji finished fourth, 0.229 seconds off the lead, securing direct entry to Q2.

Honda Team Asia's Thatchakorn Buasri improved in his second Moto3 season, finishing opening practice 16th at 1 minute 41.923 seconds. He was 0.992 seconds behind session leader Matteo Bertelle of LevelUp–MTA.

PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2025 continued with qualifying and the Sprint on Saturday, 1 March, followed by Sunday's Grand Prix on 2 March. Fans could watch through TrueVisions Now, with True4U live coverage beginning at 15:00 on 2 March 2025.