We’re back racing in Europe with the Red Bull KTM Tech3 Moto3™ squad having made their way to beautiful Andalusia for the Gran Premio de España at the iconic Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, always host to some incredible racing. Jacob Roulstone and teammate Valentin Perrone both took a positive start to their Spanish Grand Prix, with both riders securing Q2. Roulstone took the 5th time of the afternoon, while rookie Perrone grabbed his first direct Q2 in P11, following an impressing progression in Practice.
Grand Prix of Spain
Despite missing out on the pre-season testing in Jerez following his neck injury, Jacob Roulstone looked strong on Friday as the Australian could secure a top 5 finish in Practice. In the morning’s Free Practice 1, the #12 got the feeling back on the 4.423 km, and his best lap in 1'46.704 saw him finish the session in 20th. In the afternoon’s Practice, the Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider gained confidence and significantly improved his feeling as well as his lap times, with an early 1’45.686 provisionally placing him in 7th before the final time attack slot. The Australian provided the extra effort to jump to 3rd with an improved lap in 1’44.984 on lap 12, as just four minutes remained on the clock. He did not make further improvements, but the late improvements from both Jose Antonio Rueda and Ryusei Yamanaka eventually see him close the day in 5th, as he secures a direct Q2 ticket.
After bagging up his first Grand Prix finish and his first point at the last round in Doha, rookie Valentin Perrrone headed to Jerez with a lot more confidence. With already key experience from pre-season testing earlier in the year, the Argentinian finished just 0.124 seconds behind his teammate in FP1, as he took the 21st time in 1'46.828. The feeling continued to improve for the rookie who rode an excellent 1’45.153 which allowed him to finish in the top 14 on his debuts in Jerez, to qualify for the first time directly in Q2 on a Friday. Just like teammate Roulstone, the young boy will be able to approach qualifying day with a bit more peace, as he targets an improved grid position for what will be his start number 5 on Sunday. The Moto3™ boys will be back on track on Saturday morning at 8:40 local time (UTC+2), followed later on by the qualifying sessions. Jacob and Valentin will be in Q2, at 13:15!
JACOB ROULSTONE: "Very happy to finish the day in 5th. For sure it's a bit nerve racking coming back here in Jerez which is where I got injured during the winter, but anyway, I have felt really good straight away this morning. We still have some points to improve on for tomorrow, but very happy to be back to the old Jacob."
VALENTIN PERRONE: "I am very happy because we have the confidence back on the bike, the feeling has been decent since the first session. We made a few mistakes in the setting in FP1, but we improved a lot in Practice. I caught a group in the last ten minutes to learn more and get some pace, which has helped me a lot making a good lap to go to Q2, but most importantly it was very important to get the confidence on the track. Let's prepare well in tomorrow's FP2, and try doing a good qualifying."
PRACTICE SESSION RESULTS
1. Jose Antonio Rueda (SPA), Red Bull KTM Ajo, 1'43.770
2. Alvaro Carpe (SPA), Red Bull KTM Ajo, +1.042
3. Taiyo Furusato (JPN), Honda Team Asia, +1.057
5. Jacob Roulstone (AUS), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +1.214
11. Valentin Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +1.383
TRACK RECORDS
All Time Record: 2024 - D. Alonso (COL) - 1'43.710 - 153.5 km/h
Best Race Lap: 2024 - R. Yamanaka (JPN) - 1'45.105 - 151.4 km/h
Best Pole: 2024 - D. Alonso (COL) - 1'44.954 - 151.6 km/h
Top Speed: 2024 - D. Holgado (SPA) - 221.3 km/h
