AUSTIN, Texas – Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM surged to the top of the timesheets in the opening practice session for the 2026 MotoGP Americas Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas on Friday, setting a blistering pace of 2 minutes, 1.715 seconds. The performance signals a strong start for the young Spaniard as the premier motorcycle racing series settles into its American leg. However, the session was also marked by a dramatic crash for veteran rider Marc Marquez, briefly halting practice with a red flag.
Marquez, now competing with the Ducati Lenovo team, suffered a fall at Turn 10 even as traveling at approximately 190 km/h (118 mph), according to initial reports. The incident, captured in dramatic fashion by trackside cameras and widely shared on social media, showed Marquez losing control of his machine and sliding off the track into the gravel trap. Fortunately, Marquez was able to walk away from the crash, though visibly shaken, and return to the paddock for evaluation by medical staff. The incident underscores the inherent risks of motorcycle racing at the highest level, even for riders of Marquez’s considerable experience.
The red flag was immediately deployed to allow track marshals to safely clear the scene and ensure the circuit was free of debris. After a brief delay, the session resumed with approximately 10 minutes remaining, giving riders a limited opportunity to improve their times. Marquez, demonstrating his characteristic resilience, did return to the track, ultimately finishing fourth in the session with a time of 2:02.093.
Acosta Sets the Early Pace
Acosta’s impressive lap time established him as the rider to beat early in the weekend. The 2026 season marks a significant step in Acosta’s career, transitioning from Moto2 to the elite MotoGP class. His performance in FP1 demonstrates a quick adaptation to the more powerful machinery and the demanding layout of the Circuit of The Americas. Fabio Di Giannantonio of Pertamina VR46 Ducati followed closely behind, securing second place with a time of 2:01.818, just 0.103 seconds off Acosta’s pace. Jorge Martin, riding for Aprilia Racing, rounded out the top three with a time of 2:02.000.
Marquez’s Crash and Return
The crash involving Marquez sparked immediate concern within the MotoGP paddock and among fans worldwide. A video of the incident, posted by MotoGP’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, quickly went viral, highlighting the speed and intensity of the sport.
The front just went for @marcmarquez93 and that was a FAST one 👀#USGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/i0EtTlOKuW
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) March 27, 2026
While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, initial observations suggest a possible loss of front-conclude grip. Marquez’s ability to quickly remount and rejoin the session, albeit with a reduced pace, speaks to his professionalism, and determination. He will undoubtedly be looking to analyze the data from the crash and craft adjustments to his setup for the remainder of the weekend.
FP1 Results: Top Ten
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time/Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pedro Acosta | SPA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | 2’01.715s |
| 2 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | +0.103s |
| 3 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +0.221s |
| 4 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +0.378s |
| 5 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +0.495s |
| 6 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26) | +0.589s |
| 7 | Luca Marini | ITA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | +0.650s |
| 8 | Ai Ogura | JPN | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP26) | +0.673s |
| 9 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP26) | +0.710s |
| 10 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP25) | +0.755s |
The Circuit of The Americas, known for its challenging combination of fast corners and elevation changes, presents a unique test for both riders and machines. The track’s abrasive surface also puts a premium on tire management, a factor that will likely become increasingly vital as the weekend progresses. The opening practice session provided valuable data for teams to assess tire performance and refine their setups in preparation for qualifying and the race.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on analyzing the data collected during FP1 and making necessary adjustments to improve performance. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and will determine the starting grid for Sunday’s race. Fans can expect further updates and analysis from MotoGP’s official website motogp.com as the weekend unfolds.
The MotoGP Americas Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling event, with a mix of established stars and rising talents vying for victory. The performance of Acosta in FP1 has certainly raised expectations, but the weekend is far from over. The competition is fierce, and any rider capable of finding the right setup and maintaining consistency has a chance to stand on the top step of the podium.
What did you think of Acosta’s performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow MotoGP fans!
