Thailand Grand Prix: Report
Our team leaves Buriram with both riders inside the points
The 2026 Moto3 World Championship got underway this weekend at the Chang International Circuit, with the PT Grand Prix of Thailand delivering a demanding start to the season in typically hot and humid conditions. The event marked Joel Kelso’s debut with the team, while Eddie O’Shea stepped into the season no longer as a rookie, but as a more experienced and determined rider.
Friday’s opening sessions immediately showed promising signs.
Joel Kelso made a strong first impression by securing second position in Free Practice 1, setting a benchmark time of 1:41.519 and placing himself among the frontrunners, narrowly behind the Honda of Adrián Fernández (Leopard Racing), who topped the session with a 1:41.202.
On the other side of the garage, Eddie O’Shea opened his weekend with a 1:43.000 lap time, placing 23rd in the morning session.
In the afternoon Practice, Eddie significantly improved his pace, setting a 1:41.812 best lap, while Kelso used the session to continue adapting to the Honda, recording a 1:41.922. Both riders narrowly missed direct entry into Q2.
Saturday’s Free Practice 2 allowed the team to finalise adjustments ahead of qualifying. Kelso set a 1:41.861, while O’Shea posted a 1:42.328.
In a highly competitive Q1 session, both riders showed front-running pace early on. Kelso secured his place in Q2 with the third-fastest time (1:41.800) and O’Shea narrowly missed out, finishing sixth with a 1:41.856 best lap, just 0.032s from the fourth-fastest rider and the final Q2 spot.
In Q2, Kelso set a 1:41.788 to qualify 16th on the grid, earning a sixth-row start. O’Shea lined up 20th, on the seventh row for Sunday’s race.
Sunday’s race was declared dry and proved to be physically demanding for all riders. Both Kelso and O’Shea delivered determined performances in the tightly contested midfield battle.
Kelso crossed the line in 14th position, scoring his first two points of the season in his debut weekend with the team. O’Shea followed closely in 15th, adding another valuable point to the team’s tally.
Joel Kelso: It has been a learning weekend. We’ve been working hard to find the right setup for me with the Honda, which is a new challenge for us. Overall, we’ve made some progress. We probably still need a little more time to achieve the results we want, but I’m confident that, in time, we’ll be back fighting for podiums, where we belong. We will keep pushing forward.
Eddie O’Shea: Overall, I’m happy. It was a difficult race with the heat and the track conditions, but it is nice to start the year inside the points. I am looking forward to heading to Brazil, which is a new track for everyone and keep working towards our goal.
Leaving Thailand with a double points finish and valuable technical data, the team now turns its attention to the next round.
In two weeks, the championship heads to the Autódromo Internacional de Goiâina – Ayrton Senna in Brazil. It will be a brand-new circuit for all riders and a fresh opportunity to continue developing the bike, build race pace, and challenge at the front.