That’s Moto3™ qualifying done at Balaton Park for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 squad, who will see young rookie Valentin Perrone start the Michelin® Grand Prix of Hungary from the first row, after the Argentinian qualified in 2nd on Saturday afternoon, just one week after taking his maiden pole position in the category. Jacob Roulstone qualified in 7th as he will lead the 3rd row when lights go out on Sunday.
Grand Prix of Hungary
Already qualified in Q2 after he brilliantly ended day 1 at Balaton Park with the second fastest time, Valentin Perrone was ready to fight for the first pole position at stake in Hungary. 17 laps in the morning’s Free Practice 2 were used to make the final race preparations and twists ahead of the afternoon’s qualifying. The young ‘Coyote’ headed to Q2 with good confidence, but the fight promised to be intense with Maximo Quiles having shown excellent pace too all weekend so far. Valentin began with a first lap in 1'47.667 that had him in 8th as a starter. The number 73 then headed first with an improved 1’46.120, as he followed Angel Piqueras, and Alvaro Carpe followed him close in the lap times in a provisional 2nd. As most of the class returned to the pit box, Valentin was in first, but Quiles improved to take the first spot, as he remained alone out there. No further improvements were made during his second run with a small mistake made during a final time attack, but his impressive lap in 1’46.120 was enough to secure him second spot on the grid for Sunday’s race!
Jacob Roulstone was also already in Q2 after Friday’s Practice, as he arrived on Saturday with one thing less to worry. The Australian was happy about the feeling on the Balaton circuit, but he was hoping to improve a few things on Saturday morning’s FP2 to be able to put a good lap together. In qualifying, Jacob Roulstone quickly headed to the provisional second row with a 1’46.382 before a pit box return. Just like his teammate, Jacob did not improve his lap time in his second run after he had to overtake another rider, and his best lap time remained the 1’46.382, which will see him line up in 7th on the grid ahead of the first Moto3™ race in Hungary, scheduled at 11:00 on Sunday, for 22 laps.
VALENTIN PERRONE: "The first lap of qualifying was a bit crazy, I was too excited and I almost crashed, so I told myself to keep calm. I tried to be smart in the qualifying, and use the other riders because Quiles has been so fast all weekend. When I tried to do a last time attack, I made a mistake in the last chicane unfortunately. Anyway, we are happy, P2 is very important here, because the first lap of the race will be for sure hectic as the corners are so tight. There will be a lot of traffic in the first corners, so we have a small advantage heading to tomorrow."
JACOB ROULSTONE: "It was not the Saturday I was hoping for. I am disappointed with my qualifying because I had to do an overtake at some point, and I lost some time. Anyway, the position is still decent, I am feeling good, although the wind was a bit of a struggle today. I think it will be an interesting race tomorrow, we have a good chance to make a strong result, and I’ll give it my all!"
PRACTICE SESSION RESULTS
1. Maximo Quiles (SPA), CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team, 1'46.060
2. Valentin Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.060
3. Angel Piqueras (SPA), MT Helmets - MSI, +0.090
7. Jacob Roulstone (AUS), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.322
TRACK RECORDS
All Time Record: 2025 - M. Quiles (SPA) - 1'45.812 - 138.6 km/h
Best Race Lap: New Track
Best Pole: 2025 - M. Quiles (SPA) - 1'46.060 - 138.3 km/h
Top Speed: 2025 - R. Yamanaka (JPN) - 216.4 km/h
