Aprilia’s and especially Marco Bezzecchi’s challenge for a MotoGP title in 2026 looks increasingly likely after the first all-out session at the Thai Grand Prix.
Delivering a late lap record that secured top spot by over four tenths, while several headline names, including Francesco Bagnaia, failed to claim a direct spot in Q2.
The session unfolded under constant weather pressure. With all eyes on the skies for what looked to be the mother of all thunderstorms, teams were forced into a tight time-attack window.
Track conditions shifted repeatedly with spots of rain hitting the track here and there, and light panels flashing the rain flag left, right and center; however, the threat of a looming rain shower stayed just that – a threat.
While other teams were busy getting their riders to set a Q2-worthy lap time at all, and with a bit of a surprising effect when it flashed up on the timing tower, Marco Bezzecchi cut through the noise, smashing the all-time lap record set by Pecco Bagnaia in 2024.
NEW ALL TIME LAP RECORD ⏱️
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) February 27, 2026
Bez is on FIRE 🔥#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/ASBLaRseW1
The Italian finished the first day of the season more than four tenths clear of Marc Marquez in P2.
The reigning World Champion looked at ease while stringing laps together in the early parts of the session, but, having spent much of the session focused on longer runs, had to commit to a late time attack after previous attempts ended running wide through Turn 3.
Fabio Di Giannantonio completed the top three after trading provisional fastest laps earlier in the session, his benchmark briefly setting the pace before Bezzecchi’s record lap.
Behind them, Pedro Acosta led KTM’s charge in fourth, while Jorge Martin ensured a second Aprilia inside the top five after recovering from a spell outside the Q2 positions.
Alex Marquez secured sixth despite an incident involving teammate Michele Pirro that went under investigation for impeding during the closing time-attack phase.
An unfortunate @gresiniracing moment as @pirrorider gets in the way of @alexmarquez73 🫢#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/ylhbCcs1JW
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) February 27, 2026
Honda placed a bike directly into Q2 through Joan Mir in seventh, while Brad Binder produced a significant late improvement to reach eighth – his first direct Q2 progression in over a year.
Rookie Ai Ogura finished ninth despite a quite hefty crash that triggered late yellow flags, and Johann Zarco completed the top ten as three Hondas clustered around the Q2 cut line.
Quite the quick tip off for @aiogura79 💥#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/PISqLMlu4E
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) February 27, 2026
The biggest headline came outside that group. Luca Marini narrowly missed the cut in 11th, while KTM’s Maverick Vinales and VR46 rider Franco Morbidelli also fell short in a tightly packed midfield.
Bagnaia endured another difficult Friday. Multiple laps were compromised – including one aborted after Morbidelli’s move forced him off line – and earlier running issues left him outside the top ten.
He ended the session 15th and will have to fight through Q1 at Buriram for the second year in a row.
Further back, Fabio Quartararo could only manage 16th despite extracting a competitive pace relative to Yamaha’s package.
