Watch MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix — Free Practice 2 Free.

What's at Stake

As the final non-timed practice session before qualifying at the Red Bull Ring, Free Practice 2 offers teams their last opportunity to fine-tune race setups and analyze tire degradation without the pressure of the stopwatch. While Friday's sessions determined the direct entrants into Qualifying 2, this Saturday morning session is critical for perfecting the electronics and aerodynamic balance needed for both the upcoming Sprint and Sunday's main race. Finding the right compromise between high-speed stability and heavy braking performance is essential for riders looking to maximize their grid positions later in the day.

Form Guide

Heading into Spielberg, the battle at the front of the MotoGP grid remains incredibly tight, with the dominant European manufacturers continuing to dictate the pace on high-speed circuits. The Red Bull Ring's unique stop-and-go layout traditionally favors machinery with superior acceleration and late-braking stability. Recent rounds have shown that the leading championship contenders are operating at an exceptionally high level, making execution in these final practice runs vital for maintaining momentum into the crucial qualifying sessions.

Key Players to Watch

• Francesco Bagnaia — The Italian has historically excelled at the Austrian venue, utilizing his late-braking strength to master the track's demanding stop-and-go nature.
• Jorge Martín — Known for his explosive single-lap pace, the Spaniard will use this session to perfect his setup for a pole position assault.
• Brad Binder — Representing KTM at their home circuit, the South African is always a threat in Spielberg and will look to dial in his race pace during this final preparation window.

Prediction

Expect Ducati's top riders to lead the timesheets in this session as they focus on long-run simulations and refining their electronics packages for the hard braking zones. Francesco Bagnaia is predicted to top the session, closely followed by Jorge Martín, as both riders establish themselves as the benchmark ahead of qualifying. Their superior stability under braking at the Red Bull Ring should give them a slight edge over the chasing KTM and Aprilia riders.