Qualifying is done and dusted for the Moto3™ class at the Australian Grand Prix, with Jacob Roulstone and Valentin Perrone from Red Bull KTM Tech3 having had to face once again the tricky conditions of Phillip Island. The day began in the rain with a wet FP2, before a shiny sun was out for the qualifying. Local hero Jacob Roulstone qualified in 13th of his home Grand Prix, while Valentin Perrone continued to struggle on the Australian layout, as he qualified in P22.
Grand Prix of Australia
Home boy Jacob Roulstone was excited for a new day in Phillip Island, after an encouraging first day that saw him qualify to Q2. The feeling was positive once again after FP2, slightly disrupted by the unpredictable weather of the island. Either way, the sun was fully back on for the final qualifying sessions, with all the young guns, including Roulstone, ready to bring their A-game for the 19th pole position at stake of the season. The best of Jacob's first run was a 1'35.272, which had him in a provisional P13. The number 12 was off for run 2 then as just a bit more than 4 minutes remained on the clock, with the newly crowned Moto3™ World Champion Jose Antonio Rueda provisionally in pole. Jacob could improve his lap time to a 1'34.979, one which will have him start his home race from the 13th place on the grid.
After a tricky first day learning the Phillip Island track, rookie Valentin Perrone could improve his feeling in the morning’s FP2, as he finished just 1 second away from the fastest. As Q1 began at lunch time, Perrone’s best lap of his first run was a 1’35.976, one that had him in a provisional 5th place at the doors of the Q2 spots as he exited the pitlane for run 2, with a bit more than 3 minutes remaining. Unfortunately, all riders were within a big group, and it took them a bit of time to go for that final time attack as they waited for each other. Only one flying lap remained for Valentin, and small mistakes prevented him from further improving. His earlier lap time remained his best, meaning that the young rookie will start the Australian Grand Prix from the 22nd position on the grid.
Due to the weather forecast at Phillip Island, the timetable for Sunday at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix has been adjusted to one hour later, meaning that lights of the Moto3™ race will go out at 12:00 (UTC+11), for 21 laps! This proactive change aims to ensure the best possible conditions for track action and spectators.
JACOB ROULSTONE: "It was a bit of a messy qualifying from our side, but my lap was ok I thought, I am feeling really good alone, which I am happy with. I would have liked to knock in the top 10 to have an easier start, let's say, but I am feeling good, so I am excited for the race. The wind is expected to be strong, I think it is a really good idea that they decided to postpone the race by one hour tomorrow, but we will all face it tomorrow. It is expected to be a race in a big group, so I am going to try to get a strong start, and be up there with the front!"
VALENTIN PERRONE: "I struggled a lot in qualifying today, I was not good enough, and I made a big mistake, so I missed out Q2. We are starting this race from a distance, so all we have to do now is to try enjoying the race tomorrow, to have fun, make overtakes and try catching up with the front group. We will give our best, it will be difficult, but let's try! Thank you to the team for their hard work."
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Joel Kelso (AUS), LEVELUP-MTA, 1'34.056
2. Jose Antonio Rueda (SPA), Red Bull KTM Ajo, +0.091
3. Luca Lunetta (ITA), SIC58 Squadra Corse, +0.225
13. Jacob Roulstone (AUS), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.923
22. Valentin Perrone (ARG), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.899 (Q1)
TRACK RECORDS
All Time Record: 2025 - J. Kelso (AUS) - 1’34.056 - 170.2 km/h
Best Race Lap: 2024 - S. Nepa (ITA)- 1’35.370 - 167.9 km/h
Best Pole: 2025 - J. Kelso (AUS) - 1’34.056 - 170.2 km/h
Top Speed: 2024 - J. Rueda (SPA) - 254.9 km/h
