Marc Marquez surprised himself by setting the fastest time in Friday's first free‑practice at the Hungarian MotoGP, dubbing the session a "diesel day" as he conserves energy after recent shoulder surgery. The reigning champion topped the charts on used medium tyres, a feat he hadn't achieved in a year, before slipping to seventh in the later time‑attack runs.
Marquez explained that the slower pace was intentional, aiming to preserve stamina for the weekend. He admitted feeling fatigue after just a few laps and stressed the need to avoid a crash, especially in tight corners. Compared with his performance at Mugello, he feels more in control despite still feeling unwell, and he hopes a second‑row start on Saturday will be a "big success". He ruled out contesting the sprint race win, focusing instead on steady progress.
Looking ahead, Marquez expects to qualify somewhere between fifth and tenth, targeting a second‑row grid slot. Ducati teammate Fabio di Giannantonio was the top Ducati finisher in practice, while KTM’s Pedro Acosta sat second overall. Pecco Bagnaia struggled to break the top ten in direct qualifying, underscoring the challenges Marquez faces as he tests his recovery and pace over the next two days.
