The 2025 Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island kicked off with a Friday practice session that was anything but ordinary. From heart-stopping collisions to controversial steward decisions, this race weekend is already shaping up to be one for the books. But here's where it gets controversial: the FIM MotoGP Stewards have ruled 'no further action' on the incident between Miguel Oliveira and Alex Marquez, despite Marquez's clear frustration. Is this the right call, or should there be more accountability on the track? Let’s dive into the details.
At 01:36, the stewards launched an investigation into a terrifying moment at Turn 1, where Alex Marquez clipped the back wheel of Miguel Oliveira’s Yamaha. The question on everyone’s mind: Did Oliveira slow down unexpectedly, or was Marquez simply caught off guard by the speed difference? Marquez’s animated gestures suggest the former, but the stewards’ decision leaves room for debate. And this is the part most people miss: incidents like these highlight the fine line between racing strategy and risky maneuvers. What do you think—was Marquez justified in his reaction?
Meanwhile, home favorite Jack Miller stole the show at the end of FP1, topping the timesheets after swapping to fresh tires on his Pramac Yamaha. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Joan Mir’s session ended abruptly with a dramatic engine failure, smoke billowing from his Honda as he pulled off the track. Oil flags were quickly waved at Turn 1, a stark reminder of the unpredictability of MotoGP.
Tire choices played a significant role in today’s practice. Most riders opted for the soft front and medium rear combination, but Pol Espargaro and Francesco Bagnaia experimented with the medium front. Interestingly, the medium rear tire has been updated based on last year’s data on the new surface—a subtle change that could make a big difference come race day. Speaking of race day, nearly all riders favored the hard front tire last year, but we’ve yet to see it in action this weekend. Could this be a game-changer?
Off the track, news broke that Jorge Martin will miss the Malaysian MotoGP due to a collarbone injury sustained at Motegi. His absence adds another layer of unpredictability to the championship standings. Meanwhile, Johann Zarco, a former Phillip Island winner, is looking to reclaim his glory, currently sitting fourth for Honda.
Francesco Bagnaia, however, had a rough start. Despite improving his position, he finished FP1 in 16th place, visibly frustrated with his bike’s performance. Ducati’s pit crew wore serious expressions as Bagnaia returned, their championship hopes hanging in the balance. On the flip side, Brad Binder, rumored to be getting a new crew chief in 2026, took P1 with a blistering lap, just 0.013s quicker than Marco Bezzecchi.
As the session wrapped up, Pedro Acosta impressed with a superb slide through Stoner corner, securing sixth place for KTM. But the real question remains: Who will rise to the top as the weekend progresses? And more importantly, will the stewards’ decisions hold up under scrutiny?
What’s your take on the Oliveira-Marquez incident? Should the stewards have taken a firmer stance, or was their decision fair? Let us know in the comments below—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
