Pedro Acosta surged to the top of the timesheets in the opening free practice session at the 2026 Austrian , asserting KTM’s potent pace at the ahead of teammate Pol Espargaro.
Acosta clocked a blistering 1:29.851 to lead a tightly packed field in FP1, with Espargaro just 0.233 seconds behind, confirming KTM’s formidable presence early on.
The session unfolded under cloudy yet dry conditions in the Styrian hills, a welcome change after Thursday’s rain had threatened track readiness. Tech3 announced that Pol Espargaro would continue substituting for Maverick Vinales, sidelined by a recurring shoulder injury. Honda also revealed Joan Mir’s absence for the weekend, replaced by test rider aboard the RC213V.
Acosta wasted no time showcasing his intent, immediately topping the charts within the first five minutes as he pursued his maiden victory. Meanwhile, Jorge Martin faced technical adversity, halting on track due to an issue with his Aprilia RS-GP26. Despite this setback, Martin rejoined shortly after and managed to post competitive laps, eventually slotting in third fastest, just 0.308 seconds off Acosta’s pace.
Marc Marquez, last year’s Austrian GP winner and a key title contender, held fourth at a 0.335-second deficit. The Spaniard, recently reclaiming the lead from Martin, registered a cautious start but later pushed his Ducati GP26 to the limit, evidenced by a rear tyre slide at Turn 1. Despite his efforts, Marquez remained over three-tenths shy of Acosta’s benchmark.
Pol Espargaro’s session was marked by a brief off-track excursion at Turn 4, where he lost the front and triggered the weekend’s first yellow flag. Unharmed, Espargaro persevered to secure second place by the session’s conclusion, reinforcing KTM’s strong showing.
The full FP1 leaderboard underscored the competitive landscape: Johann Zarco (LCR) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) closely followed in fifth and sixth, respectively, while familiar names like Raul Fernandez, Alex Marquez, and Luca Marini rounded out the top ten. Notably, debutant Nakagami, stepping in for Mir, settled in 20th, reflecting a cautious start.
This opening session not only highlighted Acosta’s rapid adaptation and KTM’s promising pace but also confirmed significant absences and substitutions shaping the weekend’s dynamics. With the battle intensifying and new challenges emerging, the Austrian Grand Prix promises electrifying contests ahead.