MotoGP stars descend on Hungary for Balaton-side Grand Prix

The MotoGP circus arrives in Hungary this weekend for the Grand Prix, with practice sessions beginning Friday and races culminating on Sunday. The event will host the premier MotoGP class alongside its Moto2 and Moto3 support series.

This season's MotoGP grid features a strong contingent of former world champions, including Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Márquez, Fabio Quartararo, and Joan Mir. However, only Jorge Martín has had a season start that met his expectations. Bagnaia and Márquez have faced challenges, including injuries for Márquez, hindering their performance. Álex Márquez, who had a strong start and won at home, also suffered a crash and will miss the Hungarian GP.

Aprilia, the Italian manufacturer, has yet to secure a victory in the top MotoGP category. The team's satellite outfit, however, has seen success with riders Ogura Ai and Raúl Fernández achieving podium finishes and holding strong positions in the overall standings. Riders like Pedro Acosta and Fabio Di Giannantonio are also performing well in the elite class.

The Moto2 category sees David Alonso, who claimed his sole victory last year in Hungary, with his teammate Manuel González currently in strong form. In Moto3, last year's winner Máximo Quiles is leading the championship, indicating a potential for a repeat performance on the Balaton lakeside.