Jake Dixon was uninjured after a late crash in Moto2 Practice at the Lusail International Circuit and finished the session in 10^th, while Filip Salac was 20^th.

The spectacular Lusail International Circuit hosts round 4 of the 2025 Moto2 World Championship, with Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders Jake Dixon and Filip Salac getting their first experience this year of riding under the famous floodlights on Friday evening.

The Grand Prix of Qatar kicked off in sweltering conditions on Friday afternoon. With the GP taking place a month later than usual, track temperatures were a ferocious 49 degrees during FP1.

Practice, which started at 19.05 local time, took on greater significance. Held in lower track temperatures of 34 degrees, it was the sole session for Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders to work in conditions that will be more akin to Sunday’s race.

Jake Dixon, 10^th – 1’57.515

Jake started the day calmly, waiting for the track to bed in during the red-hot FP1 session. Come the final 10 minutes, he was posting competitive times, and ended the afternoon in 4^th.

The 29-year old used the first part of Practice to post an 11-lap run, which showcased very promising speed. 5 of the 11 laps were in the 1’57s – a competitive pace.

Switching to qualifying mode late on, Jake lost the front at over 100kph through Turn 15 when on course to go fastest. While unable to post another time, the Briton was unharmed in the incident and ended the session just 0.4s off pace setter Manuel Gonzalez.

“I was already on the limit in that corner and I pushed a bit more in that situation”

“Day one is done and, overall, it was pretty good. It’s nice to be back here in Qatar. This afternoon was good and I felt comfortable. Obviously, conditions were different in the evening and it was decent. The bike’s not feeling so bad. Unfortunately, I had a small crash at the end of the session. If I’m being honest, I was already on the limit in that corner and I pushed a bit more in that situation. I shouldn’t have tried to give more there when I was already on the limit and the bike didn’t quite help me in that moment. Anyway, we can have days like this. I’m still loving it out there. Tomorrow’s a new day. We’ll reset, go again and see what happens.”

Filip Salac, 20th – 1’57.994

It was a promising start to the day for Filip, who worked in tandem with team-mate Jake on his way to the 9^th fastest time in FP1.

In the evening, the 23-year old had a decent rhythm over a 10-lap run during the start of Practice, with one of his laps coming in the 1’57s.

Having struggled to find some clear track in the closing minutes, the Czech rider was unable to go faster in his final run, meaning he ended the session 0.9s off 1^st place.

“I was not able to do a single lap because there was a lot of traffic and people waiting on the track.”

“The first day in Qatar is done and it’s been a difficult day. In the morning I was 9^th in really hot conditions. We knew the conditions in the race would be quite different so we tried some different things on the bike. A few of them worked. In the evening we had a good start. I was working with Jake and was sat in Q2 but in the 2^nd outing our strategy didn’t work as planned because many people tagged on to the back of Jake and I. Then when Jake crashed, I was not able to do a single lap because there was a lot of traffic and people waiting on the track. Like the last two races I’ll have to come through Q1. I’m not worried about it and I think I’ll pass through. But we need to work a bit more. I can’t wait for tomorrow because the bike is working quite well and I’m sure we can do much better.”