Qualifying
Moto2 2025
Round 20
Eyes on Progress: Aji and Kunii Ready to show their true potential at tomorrow’s Sepang Race
Sepang International CircuitIt was a demanding qualifying day for the IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia riders in Sepang.
During the last Free Practice session in the morning Mario Aji managed to secure 18th despite a small crash, and Yuki Kunii ended 27th, both riders gave their all in the afternoon qualifying session. However, they couldn’t find the ideal lap to advance into Q2 and then ultimately Aji will start from 25th position and Kunii from 27th on the grid. Despite that riders and the team remains optimistic for Sunday’s race.
For Aji, the pace was there, but a few small mistakes cost him a better result in qualifying. The Indonesian rider remains confident, feeling stronger than ever this weekend, and fully focused on carrying the positives into race day. Kunii, on the other hand, continues to adapt and search for the best feeling on the bike, motivated to deliver a solid comeback in tomorrow’s race. Both riders and the team are determined to close the Asian tour with a strong performance and valuable points.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Today the conditions were clearly better than yesterday — the grip improved and many riders were able to set new record lap times. Unfortunately, our improvement was smaller compared to others, and that cost us some positions in qualifying. Mario will start from 25th and Yuki from 27th, which are not the ideal results we were hoping for, but both riders have shown determination and commitment all weekend.
Mario has been feeling good with the bike setup and has a consistent race pace, so I expect him to be able to fight for positions tomorrow. Yuki, on the other hand, is still searching for a better feeling on the bike, but I can see he’s working very hard and never gives up. Our goal tonight is to analyze the data, make some final adjustments, and give both riders the best possible package for the race. I’m confident that if they keep this mindset, we can finish the Asian tour in a positive way.
Today the conditions were clearly better than yesterday — the grip improved and many riders were able to set new record lap times. Unfortunately, our improvement was smaller compared to others, and that cost us some positions in qualifying. Mario will start from 25th and Yuki from 27th, which are not the ideal results we were hoping for, but both riders have shown determination and commitment all weekend.
Mario has been feeling good with the bike setup and has a consistent race pace, so I expect him to be able to fight for positions tomorrow. Yuki, on the other hand, is still searching for a better feeling on the bike, but I can see he’s working very hard and never gives up. Our goal tonight is to analyze the data, make some final adjustments, and give both riders the best possible package for the race. I’m confident that if they keep this mindset, we can finish the Asian tour in a positive way.
Mario Aji
64
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia We made another step forward today, and honestly, the feeling I had in qualifying was the best I’ve had since we arrived in Sepang. The team did a really good job improving the bike, and I felt confident pushing. Unfortunately, I made a few mistakes on my fast lap, especially at Turn 4, which prevented me from maximizing the potential we had. I know the pace was there to be much higher up, so it’s a bit of a pity, but at the same time, I’m really encouraged by the progress we made.
We’ll look at the data tonight, focus on the positives, and carry this good feeling into the race. Tomorrow will be tough with tyre management and the heat, but I feel ready to face it. The most important thing is to stay focused, stay calm, and give everything until the chequered flag. I want to finish this Asian tour with a strong performance for my team and all the fans who always support me.
We made another step forward today, and honestly, the feeling I had in qualifying was the best I’ve had since we arrived in Sepang. The team did a really good job improving the bike, and I felt confident pushing. Unfortunately, I made a few mistakes on my fast lap, especially at Turn 4, which prevented me from maximizing the potential we had. I know the pace was there to be much higher up, so it’s a bit of a pity, but at the same time, I’m really encouraged by the progress we made.
We’ll look at the data tonight, focus on the positives, and carry this good feeling into the race. Tomorrow will be tough with tyre management and the heat, but I feel ready to face it. The most important thing is to stay focused, stay calm, and give everything until the chequered flag. I want to finish this Asian tour with a strong performance for my team and all the fans who always support me.
Yuki Kunii
92
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia Today wasn’t the easiest day for me. I’m still not completely comfortable with the feeling on the bike, and that made it difficult to put everything together in qualifying. The conditions were tricky and I couldn’t find the ideal rhythm on my fast laps, but I know where I need to improve. The team is working really hard, and I’m grateful for their support and belief in me.
Every session we understand something new, and I’m learning more about how to manage the tyres and the balance of the bike. I will do my best tomorrow to make a strong start, stay consistent, and fight for the best possible result. I can really feel the energy from the fans here in Malaysia — it gives me motivation to push harder and give my 100% in the race.
Today wasn’t the easiest day for me. I’m still not completely comfortable with the feeling on the bike, and that made it difficult to put everything together in qualifying. The conditions were tricky and I couldn’t find the ideal rhythm on my fast laps, but I know where I need to improve. The team is working really hard, and I’m grateful for their support and belief in me.
Every session we understand something new, and I’m learning more about how to manage the tyres and the balance of the bike. I will do my best tomorrow to make a strong start, stay consistent, and fight for the best possible result. I can really feel the energy from the fans here in Malaysia — it gives me motivation to push harder and give my 100% in the race.
