Di Giannantonio sets new Lusail lap record in pre-qualifying

Fabio Di Giannantonio set the fastest time in MotoGP pre-qualifying at Lusail, a 1'50.406 that establishes a new outright circuit record and beats Marc Marquez's previous benchmark. The VR46 rider finished 142 thousandths ahead of Marquez, while Marco Bezzecchi was third, 260 thousandths off the top.

Marquez remains among the favourites for pole despite his Ducati's chain coming off during pre-qualifying, which forced a stop. He returned to the track and finished second. Pecco Bagnaia was fourth and secured direct entry to Q2 despite recovering from a fractured right wrist sustained at Phillip Island, while Pedro Acosta must go through Q1 after qualifying fourteenth in pre-qualifying.