Qualifying
Moto2 2025
Round 1
Challenging Race Ahead for IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Riders in Thailand
Chang International CircuitIDEMITSU Honda Team Asia riders Mario Suryo Aji and Yuki Kunii have successfully completed qualifying for the opening round of the 2025 Moto2 World Championship in Thailand.
Aji continued his strong performance from Friday, finishing 4th in the final practice session of the morning. However, he was unable to maintain that pace during qualifying and will start from 14th on the grid. Meanwhile, Moto2 rookie Yuki Kunii continued his steady progress, finishing 12th in the last practice session and fighting hard in Q1 to try and advance to Q2. Ultimately, Kunii will start the race from P23.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia We have just finished the qualifying session, and as expected, the conditions were extremely hot in Buriram. Both riders gave their best despite the challenging temperatures. The lap times were very close among the riders, but unfortunately, our positions were not ideal. Mario Aji finished P14, while Yuki Kunii qualified in P23. Given Mario’s strong performance throughout the weekend, he was certainly capable of securing a Top 10 position. However, qualifying is one thing, and the race is another.
Tomorrow’s race will undoubtedly be tough and physically demanding, but I believe both riders have a better race pace than their qualifying results suggest. Our goal is to fight for positions and deliver a strong performance despite the challenging conditions.
We have just finished the qualifying session, and as expected, the conditions were extremely hot in Buriram. Both riders gave their best despite the challenging temperatures. The lap times were very close among the riders, but unfortunately, our positions were not ideal. Mario Aji finished P14, while Yuki Kunii qualified in P23. Given Mario’s strong performance throughout the weekend, he was certainly capable of securing a Top 10 position. However, qualifying is one thing, and the race is another.
Tomorrow’s race will undoubtedly be tough and physically demanding, but I believe both riders have a better race pace than their qualifying results suggest. Our goal is to fight for positions and deliver a strong performance despite the challenging conditions.
Mario Aji
64
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia We have definitely made a step forward. I’m still a bit amazed and surprised that I managed to be in the Top 5 in both FP1 and FP2. Although my qualifying performance could have been better, I’m still happy with today’s result. I truly appreciate all the hard work my team has put in, and I don’t take it for granted.
This is just the first race of the season, and there is still a lot to learn and improve. I don’t want to rush and make the same mistakes I made during testing. I know that one day, we will be fighting at the top, and the team shares that goal, but for now, we are progressing step by step.
One major achievement this weekend is that we advanced directly to Q2 from practice—something we were unable to do all last season. That alone makes me very happy and shows our progress. I’m really enjoying riding the bike, and I need to continue having fun while learning from every session.
Tomorrow’s race will be a different challenge. Tire management will be crucial, and I hope to achieve a good result. However, my main focus is to learn, enjoy, and gain experience. I’m motivated to give everything, and we are not far off from the riders ahead. The bike is ready—we just need to stay focused, manage the tires, and perform at our best.
We have definitely made a step forward. I’m still a bit amazed and surprised that I managed to be in the Top 5 in both FP1 and FP2. Although my qualifying performance could have been better, I’m still happy with today’s result. I truly appreciate all the hard work my team has put in, and I don’t take it for granted.
This is just the first race of the season, and there is still a lot to learn and improve. I don’t want to rush and make the same mistakes I made during testing. I know that one day, we will be fighting at the top, and the team shares that goal, but for now, we are progressing step by step.
One major achievement this weekend is that we advanced directly to Q2 from practice—something we were unable to do all last season. That alone makes me very happy and shows our progress. I’m really enjoying riding the bike, and I need to continue having fun while learning from every session.
Tomorrow’s race will be a different challenge. Tire management will be crucial, and I hope to achieve a good result. However, my main focus is to learn, enjoy, and gain experience. I’m motivated to give everything, and we are not far off from the riders ahead. The bike is ready—we just need to stay focused, manage the tires, and perform at our best.
Yuki Kunii
92
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia This morning, we made a big step forward from yesterday, and I felt much more confident on the bike. My solo pace was much better, and I can see clear progress. After being away from the World Championship for some time, I was reminded of just how challenging a Moto2 qualifying session can be. Despite that, I’m quite happy with my performance because we made significant improvements today.
Tomorrow, I’m not focusing on a specific finishing position, but my goal is to give my best, stay in the group, learn more about the bike, and gain valuable race experience. Most importantly, I want to enjoy the race and keep improving step by step.
This morning, we made a big step forward from yesterday, and I felt much more confident on the bike. My solo pace was much better, and I can see clear progress. After being away from the World Championship for some time, I was reminded of just how challenging a Moto2 qualifying session can be. Despite that, I’m quite happy with my performance because we made significant improvements today.
Tomorrow, I’m not focusing on a specific finishing position, but my goal is to give my best, stay in the group, learn more about the bike, and gain valuable race experience. Most importantly, I want to enjoy the race and keep improving step by step.
