The first free practice session of the Australian Grand Prix will take place at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria, Australia, on Thursday, October 16, 2025. This marks the official start of MotoGP’s premier-class action for the weekend. Phillip Island remains one of the most challenging and picturesque venues on the calendar, with its high-speed corners, elevation changes, and unpredictable coastal winds. The circuit’s open layout often exposes riders to shifting weather conditions, making the first session vital for gathering data on tyre performance, grip levels, and overall balance. Teams will look to establish a reliable baseline setup early to adapt to whatever the weekend brings.
Several key riders will be absent heading into the Australian round, reshaping the competitive landscape before the action begins. Marc Márquez is ruled out after sustaining a shoulder fracture and ligament injury during the Indonesian GP, and Ducati has confirmed that Michele Pirro will step in as his replacement. Jorge Martín is also sidelined with a collarbone injury, prompting Aprilia to call up Lorenzo Savadori to ride in his place. Maverick Viñales will miss the round as well, with KTM reintroducing Pol Espargaró to fill the gap. These changes mean that multiple teams are fielding substitute riders, forcing engineers to adapt strategies and focus on maximizing feedback rather than outright lap speed in the opening sessions.
From a tactical standpoint, crew chiefs and team engineers are expected to prioritize data collection over performance in Free Practice 1. With unpredictable winds and varying track temperatures typical of Phillip Island, most teams will focus on evaluating tyre wear, fuel mapping, and bike stability through high-speed corners like Turn 3 and Lukey Heights. Substitute riders will be instructed to build rhythm gradually, providing detailed input to the technical teams rather than chasing fast times. The first session serves as the foundation for the weekend, with teams using it to identify setup directions for qualifying and race trim while minimizing early risks.
In the media buildup, the absence of top names has created widespread discussion about who might seize the opportunity to lead the pack. Journalists are pointing to Marco Bezzecchi, Francesco Bagnaia, and Fabio Di Giannantonio as potential frontrunners to capitalize on Márquez and Martín’s absences. However, Bezzecchi enters the weekend under added pressure after being handed a double long-lap penalty for an earlier incident. The press narrative suggests this could be one of the most open Australian Grands Prix in recent years, with several riders capable of surprising in both qualifying and the race. Many reporters are also noting the critical importance of early data collection, given the track’s unpredictable weather patterns.
Studio analysts and commentators are focusing on the impact of the replacement riders and the challenges they face in adjusting to factory machinery on short notice. Experts predict that the most successful riders in Free Practice 1 will be those able to maintain steady lap times despite changing track conditions. Discussions have centered on tyre preservation, handling stability, and aerodynamic tuning—all key factors at Phillip Island. The performance of stand-in riders such as Pirro, Savadori, and Espargaró will be closely watched, as their ability to quickly find pace and provide accurate feedback could influence their teams’ entire weekend setup. As the engines fire up for Free Practice 1, anticipation is high, and all eyes are on how teams adapt to a weekend already full of unexpected twists.
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