The Red Bull KTM Tech3 Moto3™ squad settled at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Grand Prix of Catalonia, kicking off the final doubleheader in Europe before the championship heads overseas later this month. Fresh from his podium at Balaton Park just two weeks ago, in-form Valentin Perrone kept the momentum going on the opening day in Barcelona, with the young rookie topping the timesheets on Friday. Teammate Jacob Roulstone also qualified directly in Q2, as he closed Practice with the 6th fastest time.
Grand Prix of Catalonia
Valentin Perrone was back in action on Friday morning, still dreaming from his awesome P2-finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix two weeks ago, making it his – already – second podium in the lightweight class. Eager to play on home turf in Catalonia, Perrone began the weekend with competitive pace after he had the 5th fastest time of the opening Free Practice 1 this morning, with a best lap in 1’48.166 (+0.633). Conditions became hotter in the afternoon as it was time for Practice, but the young Argentinian continued to impress with his speed. Within the top 3 most of the session, Perrone eventually set the benchmark in 1’47.584 to top the session for the first time this season, followed closely behind by David Muñoz and David Almansa. Q2, off we go!
Australian Jacob Roulstone was also excited for his home away from home race weekend, with the Aussie living in the outskirts of Barcelona during the season with his mother Leah. The number 12 showed early good form on Friday morning as he wrapped up FP1 in 9th just 0.891 seconds off early pacesetter Jose Antonio Rueda. Things worked out well for Jacob in the afternoon’s Practice, with the young Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider making the Q2 cut too, as he grabbed the 6th fastest lap of Practice with a 1'48.049, just 0.465 seconds from teammate Perrone. Both Red Bull KTM Tech3 riders will be back on track early tomorrow morning at 8:40 LT (UTC+2) with FP2, before qualifying 2 at 13:10!
VALENTIN PERRONE: "The feeling was not amazing this morning, because we tried a different setting that I did not really like, so we changed back and I felt fast again. The wind was stronger this afternoon during Practice, so I tried to use the slipstream of the group I was in. I am happy with our almost perfect lap and with the result today. I think that we still have a margin to be a bit faster, and we need to figure this out alone. We still have FP2 to work this out, and then we’ll see what we can do in qualifying."
JACOB ROULSTONE: "Decent first day here in Barcelona! I felt good straight this morning and then the feeling was right later in the afternoon too. I struggled a bit at the start of Practice with the medium tires as it was really hot, but then it got better as we adapted. We did not position ourselves well in the time attacks, so I was a bit disappointed, but still we managed to get a good lap. The feeling is encouraging for the weekend, so let’s keep working."
PRACTICE SESSION RESULTS
1. Valentin Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, 1'47.584
2. David Muñoz (SPA), Dynavolt IntactGP, +0.096
3. David Almansa (SPA), Leopard Racing, +0.195
6. Jacob Roulstone (AUS), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.465
TRACK RECORDS
All Time Record: 2024 - D. Alonso (COL) - 1'45.905 - 158.3 km/h
Best Race Lap: 2024 - J. Rueda (SPA) - 1'46.748 - 157.0 km/h
Best Pole: 2024 - D. Alonso (COL) - 1’45.905 - 158.3 km/h
Top Speed: 2023 - D. Holgado (SPA) - 255.9 - km/h
