Qualifying
Moto2 2026
Round 1
Career-Best Qualifying for Aji — Top 10 Start Secured in Buriram
Chang International CircuitQualifying day at the Thai Grand Prix brought strong results for IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia in the Moto2 category, as Mario Aji delivered his best qualifying performance to date, earning P9 on the grid for Sunday’s race in Buriram.
The Indonesian rider showed competitive pace throughout the day, confirming steady progress and strong potential heading into race distance.
Rookie teammate Taiyo Furusato also made positive steps, qualifying P22 after continuing to adapt to the Moto2 machine and conditions. Earlier in the day’s final practice session, Aji finished P19 and Furusato P25, both riders improving gradually as the sessions unfolded. With valuable data collected and confidence building, the team now looks ahead focused and motivated for race day.
Hiroshi Aoyama
⠀ ⠀ ⠀
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It was quite an exciting qualifying session for us. Mario Aji did two-time attacks and the first one was very impressive, which put him in a good position. On the second outing he couldn’t improve much, but the gap was only about two tenths, which is almost nothing. Starting from P9 on the grid is positive and he also improved his best lap time in demanding conditions, so that’s another good sign.
Meanwhile Taiyo Furusato’s day, he’s still adapting to the feeling of the bike and it’s already clear he needs a bit more time to fully understand it, but the direction is good. For tomorrow, I hope both riders can gain more experience during the race and perform well. That’s the main target for us now.
It was quite an exciting qualifying session for us. Mario Aji did two-time attacks and the first one was very impressive, which put him in a good position. On the second outing he couldn’t improve much, but the gap was only about two tenths, which is almost nothing. Starting from P9 on the grid is positive and he also improved his best lap time in demanding conditions, so that’s another good sign.
Meanwhile Taiyo Furusato’s day, he’s still adapting to the feeling of the bike and it’s already clear he needs a bit more time to fully understand it, but the direction is good. For tomorrow, I hope both riders can gain more experience during the race and perform well. That’s the main target for us now.
Mario Aji
64
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia It’s a good feeling. We’re only about two tenths from pole and starting P9, so we take the positive. Earlier we tried to adjust my riding style during practice, but it didn’t really work. We even did a race simulation with used tyres and different fuel loads, and the session wasn’t that great. For qualifying I decided to go back to my natural riding style from practice, and it worked. It shows how crucial riding style is and how the bike reacts to it, so I’m happy with what we achieved.
It’s another special day for me and for my country because this is my best qualifying result so far. I think I’m ready for the race. The pace isn’t far from the front and my position is quite good, so the key tomorrow is to stay calm, manage the tyres and manage the mind. It will be a long and hot race, difficult for everyone, so we have to be smart. Thanks to the team for all their work — I’ll give my best tomorrow.
It’s a good feeling. We’re only about two tenths from pole and starting P9, so we take the positive. Earlier we tried to adjust my riding style during practice, but it didn’t really work. We even did a race simulation with used tyres and different fuel loads, and the session wasn’t that great. For qualifying I decided to go back to my natural riding style from practice, and it worked. It shows how crucial riding style is and how the bike reacts to it, so I’m happy with what we achieved.
It’s another special day for me and for my country because this is my best qualifying result so far. I think I’m ready for the race. The pace isn’t far from the front and my position is quite good, so the key tomorrow is to stay calm, manage the tyres and manage the mind. It will be a long and hot race, difficult for everyone, so we have to be smart. Thanks to the team for all their work — I’ll give my best tomorrow.
Taiyo Furusato
72
IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia I have a good feeling after today. Step by step I’m improving and understanding the bike more, and the team is working really hard to help me adapt. The bike feels good and every session I can feel more confident, which is important for me in this new category.
I still need a lot to learn, but we’re moving in the right direction and that’s what matters. My focus now is to keep building experience, stay consistent and use the race to improve even more. I’m ready to give everything tomorrow and continue progressing.
I have a good feeling after today. Step by step I’m improving and understanding the bike more, and the team is working really hard to help me adapt. The bike feels good and every session I can feel more confident, which is important for me in this new category.
I still need a lot to learn, but we’re moving in the right direction and that’s what matters. My focus now is to keep building experience, stay consistent and use the race to improve even more. I’m ready to give everything tomorrow and continue progressing.
