The hot phase of the 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours officially began on Friday, with the first qualifying session delivering intense action across three groups. After two days of testing, conditions remained dry and stable, setting the stage for a highly competitive outing. The Suzuka Circuit, known for its demanding layout and high-speed corners, once again proved to be the ultimate test for both man and machine in the FIM Endurance World Championship.
The event, which has been a cornerstone of endurance racing since 1978, attracts top teams from Japan and around the world. This year’s edition features factory entries from Honda, Yamaha, BMW, and Suzuki, as well as privateer squads aiming for glory. The qualifying format splits the field into three groups – Blue, Yellow, and Red – with each group getting a 20-minute session to set their best time.
Blue Group: Local Hero Uramoto Leads BMW Charge
The Blue Group session kicked off at 12:00 local time, and it was Naomichi Uramoto who immediately grabbed attention. The Japanese rider, piloting the BMW of AutoRace Ube Racing Team, stormed to the top with a lap of 2:04.847, beating Honda’s factory rider Takumi Takahashi by 0.208 seconds. Takahashi, a multiple-time Suzuka winner, had to settle for second place in this group.
BMW factory rider Markus Reiterberger continued his strong form from the test days, taking third place with a 2:05.142. The German, who has been a consistent performer in endurance racing, expressed satisfaction with his pace. Karel Hanika on the YART Yamaha finished fourth, while the factory Yamaha team, featuring Katsuyuki Nakasuga, surprisingly could only manage ninth.
Marcel Schrötter, riding the Dunlop-shod BMW of ERC Endurance, delivered an impressive performance to claim eighth place in a highly competitive field. The German rider showed great adaptability on the challenging Suzuka circuit. However, not all German riders had a smooth session. Lennox Lehmann of Team Motobox Kremer Racing suffered a frightening high-speed crash on the main straight during free practice, leaving him unable to set a time in Q1. Fortunately, Lehmann was able to walk away from the incident, but his participation in Q2 remains uncertain.
Yellow Group: Jonathan Rea Showcases Honda’s Potential
The Yellow Group session was dominated by six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea. The Northern Irish rider, now with Honda HRC, lapped the 5.8-kilometer circuit in 2:04.583, the fastest time of any rider across the three groups. Rea’s lap was a statement of intent, confirming that Honda is a serious contender for overall victory. His teammate, Xavi Forés, did not set a time due to mechanical issues, leaving Rea to carry the flag.
Florian Marino finished second in the group on the Elf Marc VDS Racing Yamaha, 0.646 seconds behind Rea. MotoGP star Jack Miller, making an appearance on the factory Yamaha, completed the top three. Miller, who regularly competes in endurance events, showed respectable pace despite limited track time.
The session was less successful for defending champions and championship leaders YART. Marvin Fritz was unable to complete a timed lap, leaving the Austrian team without a time in this group. Jonas Folger, riding the Suzuki of S-Pulse Dream Racing, took 14th place. Folger, who has been granted release by KTM to compete in Suzuka, struggled to match the pace of the front runners.
Red Group: Honda and BMW Battle for Top Spot
The final qualifying session of the day saw John McPhee of F.C.C. TSR Honda France set the fastest lap with a 2:05.332. The Scottish rider edged out BMW factory rider Michael van der Mark by a mere 0.1 seconds. Andrea Locatelli, on the factory Yamaha, finished third. YART bounced back from its earlier disappointment, with Leandro Mercado taking eighth place.
Van der Mark’s performance underlined BMW’s strong showing across all three groups. The German manufacturer, which has invested heavily in its endurance program, has multiple bikes inside the top ten. Reiterberger, van der Mark, and Schrötter all delivered competitive times, suggesting that BMW is well-prepared for the race.
The qualifying results set up an intriguing battle for pole position in Q2. With Rea’s dominant lap in the Yellow Group, Honda appears to have a slight edge, but BMW and Yamaha are close behind. The 2:04.5 benchmark set by Rea is likely to be challenged in the second qualifying session, which starts at 15:30 local time (8:30 CET).
The Suzuka 8 Hours is not just about raw speed; strategy, tire management, and consistency over the eight-hour distance are crucial. Teams will be analyzing data from Q1 to optimize their setups for both qualifying and the race. The legendary Japanese circuit, with its high-speed esses, the challenging Spoon Curve, and the tight hairpin, rewards precise riding and efficient pit work.
Among the notable absentees in Q1 was the Yoshimura SERT Motul team, which had topped the morning free practice. However, the team, consisting of Gregg Black, Dan Linfoot, and Cocoro Atsumi, is expected to be strong in Q2. Similarly, the FCC TSR Honda France squad, with Alan Techer and Corentin Perolari alongside McPhee, will be aiming to improve their positions.
The battle between manufacturers is particularly intense this year. Honda, with its factory HRC entry and satellite teams, has a strong presence. Yamaha is represented by both the factory team and YART, the current championship leaders. BMW has made significant strides, with multiple competitive bikes. Even Suzuki, though not a factory effort, has a few privateer entries capable of top-ten finishes.
For the German riders, the Suzuka 8 Hours offers a unique challenge. Reiterberger, Schrötter, and Lehmann are all eager to prove themselves on the international stage. Reiterberger, in particular, has been vocal about BMW’s progress. “The bike feels great. We have the pace to fight for the podium,” he said after the session. Schrötter, who recently moved to the endurance championship, is also optimistic. “The team is working well, and the Dunlop tires are performing better than expected,” he commented.
The weather forecast for Q2 remains stable, with no rain expected. This will allow teams to push for outright speed. The pole position is likely to come from the Red or Yellow groups, as the Blue group’s fastest time was slightly slower. However, in endurance racing, qualifying is just one piece of the puzzle. Race day will be the ultimate test of reliability, strategy, and rider stamina.
As the Suzuka 8 Hours continues, all eyes will be on the second qualifying session. Will Rea repeat his heroics, or will BMW or Yamaha strike back? One thing is certain: the 2026 edition of this iconic race is shaping up to be a classic.
Source: SPEEDWEEK.com News