29.03.2026
MotoGP 2026 - Round 03 of 22, Circuit of the Americas, USA – Qualification and Sprint
The long, swirling Circuit of the Americas provided a windy and chilly stage for qualification and the Sprint on Saturday in Texas for the United States Grand Prix. Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Enea Bastianini burst back to form by classifying in 3rd position.
Highlights and key moments from Saturday at the Circuit of the Americas:
- Enea Bastiani rides superbly to cross the finish line in 4th but is elevated to 3rd after Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pedro Acosta is sanctioned with a tire pressure penalty
- Acosta battles to P3 on the track and is later given 8th position for 2 Sprint points
- Maverick Viñales withdraws from the Grand Prix to have minor corrective surgery on his left shoulder
- Moto3™ Pole Position for the impressive combination of Alvaro Carpe and the KTM RC4 for the KTM GP Academy
The epic Circuit of the Americas has been the home for MotoGP in the country since 2013 and the layout with the longest straight on the Grand Prix calendar as well as the highest number of corners. The conditions were complicated by the shift in the spring weather: from hot and sunny on Friday – and where Pedro Acosta achieved direct Q2 entry – to overcast and cooler on Saturday.
Acosta surged through Q2 to earn a front row berth for the 10-lap Sprint and the 20-lap full Grand Prix distance on Sunday. The Spaniard made an electric start from the grid and leapt into 2nd position through the first corners of the Sprint. He then tussled with several riders and guided the KTM RC16 to 3rd less than 2.5 seconds from the winner. Unfortunately, a tire pressure sanction meant a penalty of 8 seconds and he was demoted to P8.
Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Enea Bastianini rode well on Friday to snare the final slot into Q2 and made the cut for the first time this season. Enea then notched P12 in the session – recovering from a small tip-off to grab his second bike – and prepped for the Sprint. Bastianini made a charge in the second half of the distance to make considerable ground. He arrived all the way to 4th (later awarded 3rd) for his best Saturday score since the 2025 Czech GP. The Italian was alone in the pitbox as Maverick Viñales attempted Free Practice but then had to pull out of the remainder of the weekend. The Spaniard will have reparative surgery on his left shoulder on Tuesday from the injury he suffered last year.
Brad Binder qualified in 18th and missed a chance at Q2 by just half a second. The South African then tried to set his best pace and made the finish line in 12th.
The Grand Prix will run for 20 laps tomorrow and will begin at 22.00 CET.
Pedro Acosta, 3rd in qualification, 8th in the Sprint: “Not bad but we suffered in the race. We know our limitations and we are trying to play our cards in the best way. I think 3rd was our position on the track today and we have to be happy in that we are making the most of the package at the moment. Tomorrow we have to start well and then do our best to save the tire.”
Enea Bastianini, 12th in qualification, 3rd in the Sprint: “I’m so happy about the Sprint but not so much about FP2 and the qualifying. I missed some stability in the wind. Anyway, it was less windy in the Sprint and I was able to push from the start which was critical. Fighting for the podium – and it arrived in the end – I’m happy. I know we saw some crashes and we got a bit lucky but my speed was good, and that is important. Tomorrow will be a different type of race but I know my potential, especially for the end of the race. I’m comfortable on the bike.”
Brad Binder, 18th in qualification, 12th in the Sprint: “I definitely would have liked a better day than today but I’m missing a bit of pace all weekend. I tried my best to pass guys early on and go forward but I didn’t have the speed. Not enough. I have some homework to do and figure out how we can be better and I’m sure we’ll do it for tomorrow.”
Aki Ajo, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “After a difficult weekend in Brazil we have to be happy with our basic performance here in Austin. Our package is working quite well at this track and the results of Pedro and the guys were quite promising, and we can be satisfied with the Sprint for both Pedro and Enea. Unfortunately, we have tight and clear rules and, of course, as a team we are sorry for Pedro. Tomorrow, we have another day and another race to keep our targets high.”
Red Bull Grand Prix of United States photographs can be found HERE
Results Qualifying MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of United States
1. Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA) Ducati 2:00.136
2. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA) Aprilia +0.193
3. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +0.349
12. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +1.341
18. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 2:01.865 (Q1)
Results MotoGP Sprint Red Bull Grand Prix of United States
1. Jorge Martin (ESP) Aprilia 20:19.546
2. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA) Ducati +0.755
3. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +3.199
8. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +10.484
12. Brad Binder (RSA) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +14.567
KTM GP Academy
Moto3 cut through the wind on Saturday with Alvaro Carpe leading the charge for the KTM GP Academy and with the KTM RC4. The Spaniard secured his second career podium by almost half a second - a significant gap - over the rest of his pursuers. The Red Bull KTM Ajo man was joined on the front row by Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Valentin Perrone who was 3rd fastest in Q2 for his second successive top three qualifier. Rookies Rico Salmela and Brian Uriarte confirmed 9th and 14th for the 14 laps tomorrow.
In Moto2™ Collin Veijer cemented his top ten credentials and podium potential with another impressive Q2 lap-time. The Dutchman was 8th and will sit on the third row for the 16-lap Grand Prix distance. Jose Antonio Rueda had his first taste of COTA in the intermediate category and maintained his rate of Moto2 education. The Spaniard took 28th in qualification.
Results Qualifying Moto3 Red Bull Grand Prix of United States
1. Alvaro Carpe (ESP), Red Bull KTM Ajo 2:12.107
2. Casey O’Gorman (IRL), Honda +0.412
3. Valentin Perrone (ARG) Red Bull KTM Tech3 +0.419
8. Maximo Quiles (ESP) CFMOTO Aspar Team +0.889
9. Rico Salmela (FIN), Red Bull KTM Tech3 +0.898
14. Brian Uriarte (ESP), Red Bull KTM Ajo +1.454
18. Marco Morelli (ARG) CFMOTO Aspar Team +2.539
Results Qualifying Moto2 Red Bull Grand Prix of United States
1. Barry Baltus (BEL) 2:05.347
2. Alonso Lopez (ESP) +0.016
3. Angel Piqueras (ESP) +0.107
8. Collin Veijer (NED) Red Bull KTM Ajo +0.249
15. Daniel Holgado (ESP) CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team +1.125
17. David Alonso (COL) CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team
28. Jose Antonio Rueda (ESP) Red Bull KTM Ajo 2:07.439 (Q1)
PRESS CONTACT
Evangelia Sissis
PR Manager MotoGP
+43 676 665 2742
evangelia.sissis@ktm.com