Double Top Ten For Idemitsu Honda Team Asia as Furusato and Aji impress in Sachsenring Qualifying
SachsenringIdemitsu Honda Team Asia completed a highly positive qualifying day at the Liqui Moly Grand Prix of Germany, with both Moto2 riders securing top-ten grid positions for the 11th race of the 2026 Moto2 World Championship at the Sachsenring. Furusato secured seventh on the grid while returning Mario Suryo Aji completes remarkable comeback with a top-ten qualifying result.
The day started on a strong note for the team during Free Practice 2. Taiyo Furusato continued to demonstrate his impressive pace throughout the weekend, finishing sixth and confirming his strong race rhythm ahead of tomorrow’s race. On the other side of the garage, Mario Suryo Aji continued building confidence on his return to competition, ending the morning session in 13th while focusing on race preparation.
During the afternoon qualifying session, both riders delivered another step forward. Furusato secured an excellent seventh position in Q2 with a best lap just 0.359 seconds from pole position, earning a third-row start for tomorrow's race.
Meanwhile, Mario Aji completed an outstanding comeback after almost two months away from competition, qualifying tenth and securing a fourth-row start. The Indonesian rider continued improving session after session and confirmed his immediate competitiveness on his return to the Moto2 paddock.
The strong performances from both riders reinforce the positive momentum Idemitsu Honda Team Asia has been building in recent rounds, giving the team confidence ahead of Sunday's 25-lap race at one of both riders' favourite circuits.
Today's qualifying conditions were quite good, and both riders made another improvement compared to yesterday. Taiyo finished seventh and Mario tenth. Both riders were only three or four tenths away from the fastest lap, which shows that we are continuing to close the gap to the front runners.
This is very positive because both riders are gaining confidence and a better feeling with the Moto2 bike. They are understanding this category more and more every weekend, and today's result reflects that progress.
It has been an important step for the team. Tomorrow is the most important day, and we hope we can maintain this momentum over the full 25 laps. It will be a long race, so we have to stay strong until the end.
Today's qualifying conditions were quite good, and both riders made another improvement compared to yesterday. Taiyo finished seventh and Mario tenth. Both riders were only three or four tenths away from the fastest lap, which shows that we are continuing to close the gap to the front runners.
This is very positive because both riders are gaining confidence and a better feeling with the Moto2 bike. They are understanding this category more and more every weekend, and today's result reflects that progress.
It has been an important step for the team. Tomorrow is the most important day, and we hope we can maintain this momentum over the full 25 laps. It will be a long race, so we have to stay strong until the end.
I'm quite satisfied with today result. We had a really good feeling with the bike from the morning, and during qualifying I was able to put together a strong lap. The team has done a great job all weekend and we've continued improving session after session.
This morning we also completed a long run, and the pace was quite positive, so I feel ready for the race. We understand the bike well and I feel confident with our package. Starting from the third row gives us a good opportunity tomorrow. We'll try to make a strong start, stay with the front group and fight for another good result. I'm looking forward to the race.
I'm quite satisfied with today result. We had a really good feeling with the bike from the morning, and during qualifying I was able to put together a strong lap. The team has done a great job all weekend and we've continued improving session after session.
This morning we also completed a long run, and the pace was quite positive, so I feel ready for the race. We understand the bike well and I feel confident with our package. Starting from the third row gives us a good opportunity tomorrow. We'll try to make a strong start, stay with the front group and fight for another good result. I'm looking forward to the race.
I'm really happy with today. Every session we managed to improve, and since Friday we believed we had the potential to fight in these positions. That gave us a lot of confidence and motivation throughout the weekend.
For the time attack everything worked well. Of course, there is still some margin for improvement, but for my first race back after almost two months away, I think this is a very positive result.
Now the focus changes to the race. We have to manage the tyres well over 25 laps because it will be a demanding race. More than anything, I want to enjoy being back on the bike, continue finding the best feeling and keep learning before the summer break. I'll give everything I have, but I don't want to put pressure on the result. If we keep working in the right way, the result will come naturally.
I'm really happy with today. Every session we managed to improve, and since Friday we believed we had the potential to fight in these positions. That gave us a lot of confidence and motivation throughout the weekend.
For the time attack everything worked well. Of course, there is still some margin for improvement, but for my first race back after almost two months away, I think this is a very positive result.
Now the focus changes to the race. We have to manage the tyres well over 25 laps because it will be a demanding race. More than anything, I want to enjoy being back on the bike, continue finding the best feeling and keep learning before the summer break. I'll give everything I have, but I don't want to put pressure on the result. If we keep working in the right way, the result will come naturally.
