Qualifying
Moto2 2024
Round 18
Challenging Mission for Chantra & Aji in Tomorrow's ThaiGP Race
Chang International CircuitIDEMITSU Honda Team Asia riders have finished the Qualifying Day for the Thai Grand Prix at Chang International Circuit, marking the 18th round of the Moto2 World Championship.
The day brought mixed emotions for our team. Somkiat Chantra advanced to Q2 with an impressive fastest lap in Q1. However, he couldn't maintain the same pace in Q2 and will start tomorrow’s race from P13. Meanwhile, Mario Aji continued to progress, achieving his goal of breaking into the 1'35 times. Both riders are committed to delivering a strong performance tomorrow.
Hiroshi Aoyama
We’ve just completed Moto2 qualifying, and it was an exciting session. Somkiat Chantra advanced from Q1 to Q2 with the fastest lap of the session, which was encouraging. However, he wasn’t able to improve much in Q2, finishing 13th. This isn’t the ideal result for us, so we’ll be working closely with him and the team to find a way to make him faster tomorrow.
Mario Aji finished in 23rd, showing improvement from morning to afternoon in his lap time. He’s not far off the pace of other riders and continues to make progress. We believe both riders can improve during tomorrow’s race—let’s see what happens here in Buriram.
We’ve just completed Moto2 qualifying, and it was an exciting session. Somkiat Chantra advanced from Q1 to Q2 with the fastest lap of the session, which was encouraging. However, he wasn’t able to improve much in Q2, finishing 13th. This isn’t the ideal result for us, so we’ll be working closely with him and the team to find a way to make him faster tomorrow.
Mario Aji finished in 23rd, showing improvement from morning to afternoon in his lap time. He’s not far off the pace of other riders and continues to make progress. We believe both riders can improve during tomorrow’s race—let’s see what happens here in Buriram.
Somkiat Chantra
35
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia I have mixed feelings today. The morning session and Q1 felt great; we took a step forward and posted the fastest lap in Q1, boosting our confidence heading into Q2. However, the feeling with the bike changed, and I wasn’t able to improve my lap time, which was disappointing.
It's unfortunate, especially here in front of my home crowd. I don’t want to let them down, so tomorrow I’ll give my maximum effort to deliver a result they can be proud of. We’ll keep working hard, and I believe the results will come.
I have mixed feelings today. The morning session and Q1 felt great; we took a step forward and posted the fastest lap in Q1, boosting our confidence heading into Q2. However, the feeling with the bike changed, and I wasn’t able to improve my lap time, which was disappointing.
It's unfortunate, especially here in front of my home crowd. I don’t want to let them down, so tomorrow I’ll give my maximum effort to deliver a result they can be proud of. We’ll keep working hard, and I believe the results will come.
Mario Aji
34
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia While the final position isn’t what we hoped for, I really enjoyed today’s sessions. We made adjustments focused more on my riding technique than on the bike itself, testing my limits without making too many changes to the setup.
Each session, we made small improvements, and with the competition as tight as it is, reducing the gap to others is challenging. This was one of the most enjoyable days on the bike, as I was able to try many new things both in the morning and afternoon sessions.
Our main goal was not a specific lap time but rather enhancing my performance. The pace wasn’t bad, and I began to apply what my crew chief suggested. While it’s not the ideal position, I’m happy with the work the team has done, and I feel ready to push tomorrow for a strong race.
While the final position isn’t what we hoped for, I really enjoyed today’s sessions. We made adjustments focused more on my riding technique than on the bike itself, testing my limits without making too many changes to the setup.
Each session, we made small improvements, and with the competition as tight as it is, reducing the gap to others is challenging. This was one of the most enjoyable days on the bike, as I was able to try many new things both in the morning and afternoon sessions.
Our main goal was not a specific lap time but rather enhancing my performance. The pace wasn’t bad, and I began to apply what my crew chief suggested. While it’s not the ideal position, I’m happy with the work the team has done, and I feel ready to push tomorrow for a strong race.
