MotoGP News: Marc Marquez tops opening practice in Hungary

Runaway points leader Marc Marquez (pictured) topped the timesheets during MotoGP’s first official practice session at Balaton Park in Hungary.

The title leader, winner of the last 12 races in a row, moved to the top in the middle stages of an interrupted session, finishing with a 0.277s advantage over nearest rival Pol Espargaro (who was on a new set of tires).

Marc Marquez’s best lap was a 1m 37.956s, and is already under the WorldSBK pole record despite just getting started.

Espargaro, replacing the injured Maverick Vinales at Tech3, is the only rider with prior MotoGP experience of the track, from a private test – alongside Yamaha, Ducati, Honda and Aprilia test riders – in June.

Pedro Acosta, Luca Marini, Alex Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi completed the top six in FP1, while Marquez’s mentally destroyed teammate Francesco Bagnaia was only 15th.

A nightmare five minutes for Aprilia saw reigning world champion Jorge Martin suffer a huge engine blow-up on the main straight, with Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez suffering the same fate into Turn 5 shortly after.

HUGE engine blow up for @88jorgemartin 💥💨#HungarianGP 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/sVpOaw31jL

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) August 22, 2025

Oil dropped by Fernandez’s RS-GP forced red flags for a track clean-up.

Marquez moved to the top after the session restarted, pushing his advantage to 0.638s over Pol Espargaro during the middle stages.

Meanwhile, VR46’s Franco Morbidelli became the first rider to fall this weekend at Turn 1… Then the second, after crashing again at Turn 15.

Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller later crashed at Turn 12 in the final minute, on his way to 13th.

Luca Marini, reportedly using a new chassis this morning, briefly featured in second for HRC. Acosta and then Espargaro responded, while Marquez set the first 1m 37s lap of the weekend.

Marquez and Acosta were the only riders in the top six to finish the session on old tires.

2025 MotoGP Hungary GP Friday Practice 1 Results

* Rookie