19:34
Temperatures have shot up since FP1. Air temp is 29C, while track temp is up at 48C.
Just under half an hour to go until Practice starts.
Marc Marquez, Ducati Corse, 2026 US MotoGP
© Gold and Goose
2026 US MotoGP practice reaction LIVE: Marquez fastest after scary crash
Live text coverage of Friday at the 2026 MotoGP United States Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Marc Marquez leads Friday at COTA
- Nine crashes in Practice
- Marc Marquez has terrifying crash in FP1
- Acosta fastest in FP1
- Vinales withdraws due to shoulder injury
The 2026 MotoGP season continues with round three at the United States Grand Prix, taking place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Aprilia and Marco Bezzecchi arrive in America off the back of another dominant victory last time out in Brazil, with the latter leading the riders' standings ahead of team-mate Jorge Martin.
Aprilia and Bezzecchi have won the last four consecutive grands prix, with the Italian rider just three laps away from beating the all-time laps led record currently held by Jorge Lorenzo set in 2015.
Jorge Martin will be looking to build on his first podium with Aprilia in Brazil, as he continues to grow in confidence on the RS-GP.
All eyes will be on Marc Marquez and Ducati to try to quash Aprilia's dominance, with the seven-time world champion returning to one of his strongest circuits.
Marquez has won seven times at COTA in his MotoGP career, and was close to an eighth last year before he crashed out of the lead. Ducati has had a tough start to the 2026 season, but a return to the standard Michelin rear tyre construction is set to benefit the Italian marque.
KTM looks set for a tough weekend, with Pedro Acosta admitting after Brazil that the RC16 is struggling for top speed right now, and is wary of how that will impact his performance at COTA.
Tech3 KTM's Maverick Vinales may also not see out the US Grand Prix weekend as he continues to battle the effects of the left shoulder injury he suffered in a crash in Germany last July.
2026 Unites States MotoGP Friday schedule
FP1 - 3:45pm-4:30pm GMT
Practice - 8pm-9pm GMT
27 Mar 2026
19:08
Practice build-up
MotoGP track action continues at 8pm GMT with Practice.
Reminder that this session decides which riders go straight into Q2 in qualifying and who must go through Q1.
17:56
Prior to FP1, Aprilia unveiled a trick new $150k track bike featuring MotoGP tech in honour of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Check out more details at the link ⬇️
Marco Bezzecchi, Jorge Martin unveil the ‘Aprilia X 250TH’ at COTA.
17:03
Marc Marquez injury update
Ducati has provided an update on Marc Marquez's fitness after the scary crash in FP1.
Read more ⬇️
Ducati provides Marc Marquez injury update after 192km/h MotoGP crash
Marc Marquez crashes in FP1 for the 2026 US MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
16:56
Some practice start action, courtesy of Honda.
16:53
Well, that was certainly eventful!
MotoGP track action will be resume at 8pm GMT/3pm local time.
Keep your eyes on this blog until then, however, for all of the latest news from the paddock.
16:48
Report: Pedro Acosta leads red-flagged US MotoGP FP1 after scary Marc Marquez crash
Pedro Acosta led an FP1 overshadowed by a scary crash for Marc Marquez in COTA FP1.
FP1 report ⬇️
Pedro Acosta leads red-flagged US MotoGP FP1 after scary Marc Marquez crash
Pedro Acosta, KTM Factory Racing, 2026 US MotoGP
© Gold and Goose
16:38
US MotoGP, COTA: Friday Practice Results
2026 US MotoGP, COTA - Friday Practice Results
Pedro Acosta, 2026 US MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
16:35
FP1 chequered flag
The chequered flag has brought FP1 to a close, with Pedro Acosta leading the way for KTM by 0.103s.
Marc Marquez was fourth after his scary crash.
16:33
Marquez is now fourth fastest after his latest lap. That is impressive.
16:32
Acosta moves to the top of the pile with a 2m01.715s on fresh medium rubber.
16:31
Marquez improves to a 2m02.656s and jumps up 10 places to 11th.
16:29
Marquez completes a very steady lap at 2m04s.
16:28
Di Giannantonio improves to a 2m01.818s.
16:28
Fresh medium rubber for Jorge Martin moves him to second behind Di Giannantonio.
16:26
Fabio Di Giannantonio has now gone fastest with a 2m01.909s, also on fresh medium rubber.
16:26
Worth noting that Fernandez's lap was done on fresh medium rubber. Bagnaia, by contrast, went top a few moments ago on a medium rear with 11 laps on it.
16:25
Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez has jumped up to first with a 2m02.409s on the Trackhouse Aprilia.
16:24
Marc Marquez back out after crash
Marquez has headed out of pitlane for his first laps since that 190km/h crash at Turn 10.
16:23
Standings after 30 minutes:
- Pecco Bagnaia - 2m02.546s
- Pedro Acosta
- Fabio Di Giannantonio
- Marco Bezzecchi
- Ai Ogura
- Jorge Martin
- Brad Binder
- Raul Fernandez
- Joan Mir
- Enea Bastianini
16:21
Marc Marquez back in Ducati garage after monster crash
Marc Marquez has returned to his Ducati garage with just under 15 minutes to go. He's got fresh leathers on and is ready to go.
That is very good news.
16:18
Meanwhile, Pecco Bagnaia has gone top with a 2m02.546s.
16:18
Davide Tardozzi gives Marquez update
Ducati boss Davide Tardozzi has provided this update on Marquez:
"Marc is fine, but he has a huge bruise on his right hand and right arm. But Dr Charte says nothing important [has been injured]."
16:16
Marquez's damaged Ducati has made its way back to the paddock, while Davide Tardozzi is in deep discussions with PR man Artur in the garage.
16:14
Bezzecchi now moves up to third, 0.086s covering the top three.