Qualifying
Moto2 2025
Round 19
Strong Morning but Difficult Qualifying for IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia in Phillip Island
Phillip IslandThe IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia riders faced another unpredictable day at Phillip Island, where the weather once again played a major role. The morning practice started under light rain and mixed conditions, before drying towards the end. Despite that, both riders delivered encouraging performances - Mario Aji finished an excellent 5th, while Yuki Kunii made a clear step forward, ending 16th in his first Australian GP appearance.
In qualifying, the track remained dry but the challenge increased. Aji, already through to Q2, started strong and placed himself inside the top ten, but a mistake on his second time attack as he was entering the track cost him a three-position grid penalty. He closed the session in 16th, meaning he will start tomorrow's race from P19. Meanwhile, Kunii struggled to replicate his morning pace and couldn't find the perfect feeling with the bike, ending qualifying in P26. With more wind and potential rain forecast for Sunday, both riders will focus on adapting quickly and fighting back during the race.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia This morning's Moto2 session started in wet conditions and gradually became dry, which made it quite tricky. In the afternoon, for qualifying, the weather improved - it was dry but also quite windy. Both riders made progress and improved their lap times compared to yesterday. Mario showed strong pace and we were expecting a competitive session, but unfortunately, he made a small mistake during his time attack under braking and couldn't achieve his best lap. Still, the potential is there.
For Yuki, it was not an easy qualifying, but he is improving step by step. He needs a bit more time to fully understand the track and how to manage the fast corners of Phillip Island, but his feeling on the bike is getting better. We expect both riders to show a good performance in tomorrow's race and recover as many positions as possible.
This morning's Moto2 session started in wet conditions and gradually became dry, which made it quite tricky. In the afternoon, for qualifying, the weather improved - it was dry but also quite windy. Both riders made progress and improved their lap times compared to yesterday. Mario showed strong pace and we were expecting a competitive session, but unfortunately, he made a small mistake during his time attack under braking and couldn't achieve his best lap. Still, the potential is there.
For Yuki, it was not an easy qualifying, but he is improving step by step. He needs a bit more time to fully understand the track and how to manage the fast corners of Phillip Island, but his feeling on the bike is getting better. We expect both riders to show a good performance in tomorrow's race and recover as many positions as possible.
Mario Aji
64
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It wasn't the qualifying I wanted, but it's part of racing. I started well and felt comfortable with the bike, but I think I got a bit too eager after the first runs and pushed too hard. I made a mistake during my second time attack when rejoining the track, and that cost me a penalty. I'm sorry to the team for that, but the positive thing is that the feeling on the bike was really good throughout the day.
I'll take the good points from today and keep calm. Tomorrow is another opportunity, and I know we can recover positions during the race. The weather might change again, so we'll need to be smart and adapt quickly. I'll give my best and keep pushing until the end.
It wasn't the qualifying I wanted, but it's part of racing. I started well and felt comfortable with the bike, but I think I got a bit too eager after the first runs and pushed too hard. I made a mistake during my second time attack when rejoining the track, and that cost me a penalty. I'm sorry to the team for that, but the positive thing is that the feeling on the bike was really good throughout the day.
I'll take the good points from today and keep calm. Tomorrow is another opportunity, and I know we can recover positions during the race. The weather might change again, so we'll need to be smart and adapt quickly. I'll give my best and keep pushing until the end.
Yuki Kunii
92
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia This morning was quite good for me; I felt much better on the bike and I could ride with more confidence compared to yesterday. Step by step I'm learning this track, which is really fast and technical. In the afternoon qualifying, however, I couldn't put all the sectors together, and it was difficult to find the limit, especially in the windy corners.
Even so, I'm happy with the progress we've made since the first day. The team helped me a lot to understand how to improve, and tomorrow my goal is to make a strong start, stay with the group, and learn as much as possible. I'll do my best to finish the race in a better position and continue building confidence for the next rounds.
This morning was quite good for me; I felt much better on the bike and I could ride with more confidence compared to yesterday. Step by step I'm learning this track, which is really fast and technical. In the afternoon qualifying, however, I couldn't put all the sectors together, and it was difficult to find the limit, especially in the windy corners.
Even so, I'm happy with the progress we've made since the first day. The team helped me a lot to understand how to improve, and tomorrow my goal is to make a strong start, stay with the group, and learn as much as possible. I'll do my best to finish the race in a better position and continue building confidence for the next rounds.
