WATCH: Marc Marquez tops Friday practice session with record breaking lap at Buriram circuit

Marc Marquez set the 2024 Thai MotoGP stage alight, topping the Friday practice session with a new record-breaking lap at Buriram Circuit. Riding for Gresini Ducati on the GP23 machine, Marquez clocked a blistering 1m 29.165s, surpassing the previous lap record of 1m 29.287s set by Jorge Martin in 2023. The record-breaking lap signals that Marquez is in top form, intensifying the anticipation for the main event.

Throughout the session, Marquez remained consistently ahead of his rivals, showcasing the power and precision of the Gresini Ducati GP23. In a thrilling display of speed and control, he outpaced Jorge Martin of Pramac Ducati by 0.110 seconds, making a strong statement against the title leader. Martin, on the GP24, couldn’t match Marquez's pace but still secured a solid second place, reinforcing his position as a contender in the upcoming race.

Here is the video:

An incredible lap and a new all-time lap record! @marcmarquez93 is top dog on Day 1 👊#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/W8ONuR1bZS

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 25, 2024

Behind the leading duo were factory Ducati riders Enea Bastianini and Francesco Bagnaia, who claimed the third and fourth spots, respectively. Bastianini, also riding the GP24, stayed close to Martin's time, demonstrating Ducati's impressive grip on the competition. Bagnaia, too, held his ground with a competitive showing, placing himself in prime position for Saturday’s qualifying rounds.

Maverick Vinales finishes 5^th

The top non-Ducati rider of the session was Aprilia Factory’s Maverick Vinales, who finished fifth with his RS-GP24 machine. Vinales managed to break through the Ducati-dominated leaderboard, setting himself as a top contender from a non-Ducati team. Franco Morbidelli, riding for Pramac Ducati, took sixth, proving Ducati’s near-total dominance in Friday’s practice.

The high-energy session, marked by fast laps and tight margins, has set an exciting tone for the rest of the weekend. With Marquez breaking records and the Ducati contingent showcasing their power, the stage is set for a competitive showdown.

2024 Thai MotoGP Friday Practice Results - Buriram Circuit