Qualifying
Moto2 2025
Round 16
Step by Step: Aji and Kunii Target Improvements After Misano Qualifying
Misano World Circuit Marco SimoncelliIDEMITSU Honda Team Asia riders Mario Suryo Aji and Yuki Kunii completed Saturday’s qualifying for the San Marino Grand Prix under sunny skies at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Both riders continued their adaptation to the technical Italian track, working to refine their pace and build confidence ahead of Sunday’s race.
In the morning’s Free Practice 2, Mario Aji closed in 24th position while teammate Yuki Kunii finished 30th. Later in Qualifying 1, both riders pushed to improve their lap times, though neither was able to advance to Q2. Aji showed progress by finishing ninth in Q1, which secured him 23rd place on tomorrow’s starting grid. Kunii will line up 30th, motivated to fight back and show his best performance in the race.
There is still room for improvement, but both riders remain focused and determined. Sunday’s race will be an opportunity for the team to recover positions and continue their development.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Today in Misano we had very good conditions, which allowed both riders to continue their progress. Mario Aji managed to improve his lap time and secured P23 on the grid. Yuki Kunii also reduced his gap compared to yesterday, even if the final position is not what we aim for, starting from P30.
The qualifying results are not ideal, but there are many positives to take away. Both riders are working hard to adapt their riding styles and understand this technical track. Our goal now is to turn these improvements into stronger consistency in the race.
Tomorrow, the key will be to make a good start, stay close to the group ahead, and build rhythm lap by lap. The Moto2 category is always unpredictable, so if we can keep improving, I believe both riders can recover positions and bring home a better result for the team.
Today in Misano we had very good conditions, which allowed both riders to continue their progress. Mario Aji managed to improve his lap time and secured P23 on the grid. Yuki Kunii also reduced his gap compared to yesterday, even if the final position is not what we aim for, starting from P30.
The qualifying results are not ideal, but there are many positives to take away. Both riders are working hard to adapt their riding styles and understand this technical track. Our goal now is to turn these improvements into stronger consistency in the race.
Tomorrow, the key will be to make a good start, stay close to the group ahead, and build rhythm lap by lap. The Moto2 category is always unpredictable, so if we can keep improving, I believe both riders can recover positions and bring home a better result for the team.
Mario Aji
64
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Today was a positive step forward. In the morning session I was able to improve compared to yesterday, and in qualifying I pushed hard and managed to increase my pace. Although I didn’t make it through to Q2, I feel that the work we are doing is going in the right direction.
Starting from P23 tomorrow, my goal is to keep fighting, move closer to the points, and stay with the group ahead of me. The race will be long, and it’s important to stay calm, be consistent, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes. I want to thank the team for their hard work and constant support. They are helping me a lot, and I will do everything I can to reward them with a strong race tomorrow.
Today was a positive step forward. In the morning session I was able to improve compared to yesterday, and in qualifying I pushed hard and managed to increase my pace. Although I didn’t make it through to Q2, I feel that the work we are doing is going in the right direction.
Starting from P23 tomorrow, my goal is to keep fighting, move closer to the points, and stay with the group ahead of me. The race will be long, and it’s important to stay calm, be consistent, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes. I want to thank the team for their hard work and constant support. They are helping me a lot, and I will do everything I can to reward them with a strong race tomorrow.
Yuki Kunii
92
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Today was not easy for me. I struggled to find a good feeling with the bike and couldn’t put everything together in qualifying. The lap times are very close here in Misano, so even small details make a big difference in the final classification.
Even so, I’m not discouraged. Together with the team we are analyzing where I need to improve, and tomorrow I will focus on making a strong start and recovering as many positions as possible.
My main objective is to keep learning, gain more confidence with the bike, and take another step forward in the race. I really appreciate the team’s constant support, and I will give my maximum tomorrow to achieve a better result.
Today was not easy for me. I struggled to find a good feeling with the bike and couldn’t put everything together in qualifying. The lap times are very close here in Misano, so even small details make a big difference in the final classification.
Even so, I’m not discouraged. Together with the team we are analyzing where I need to improve, and tomorrow I will focus on making a strong start and recovering as many positions as possible.
My main objective is to keep learning, gain more confidence with the bike, and take another step forward in the race. I really appreciate the team’s constant support, and I will give my maximum tomorrow to achieve a better result.
