Official Qualifying Session 1: Katsuyuki Nakasuga Fastest for YRT, Hanika Fastest for YART
On August 1, the first official qualifying session was completed in hot, humid summer conditions. Yamaha Racing Team (YRT) rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga took to the track first as the team's blue armband rider and set the YART's fastest time: a of 2'05.893 on new tires. The team then called an early end to his session to conserve tires.
Meanwhile, Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team (YART) rider Karel Hanika went out to try for a fast time, in the end recording a 2'06.366 to finish in 5th for the session, which was the team's best time.
Jack Miller wore the yellow armband for YRT, and the session tested his concentration with multiple red flag stoppages, but he was able to mark a 2'06.276 to finish 4th, ahead of Andrea Locatelli.
YART's Marvin Fritz, who stormed to pole position last year with a 2'05.130, finished the session in 9th with a time of 2'06.678.
Finally, Locatelli, the last rider to get his chance, put on a solid performance despite his limited experience at Suzuka, finishing 2nd in the session with a time of 2'06.110. YART newcomer Jason O'Halloran, who like Miller is returning to the 8 Hours for the first time since 2017, finished 5th after clocking a 2'07.201. That rounded out the official qualifying sessions that would determine the fastest ten riders for the Top 10 Trial.
1st Qualifying Rider Blue
| Pos. | No. | Team | Machine | Best lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 76 | AutoRace Ube Racing Team | BMW | 02:05.367 |
| 2 | 21 | YAMAHA RACING TEAM | Yamaha | 02:05.893 |
| 3 | 30 | Honda HRC | Honda | 02:06.038 |
| 4 | 17 | Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing | Honda | 02:06.222 |
| 5 | 7 | YART - YAMAHA | Yamaha | 02:06.366 |
| 6 | 1 | YOSHIMURA SERT MOTUL | Suzuki | 02:06.534 |
| 7 | 3 | SDG-DUCATI Team KAGAYAMA | Ducati | 02:06.708 |
| 8 | 73 | SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda | Honda | 02:06.829 |
| 9 | 40 | TeamATJ with docomo Business | Honda | 02:06.830 |
| 10 | 0 | Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE | Suzuki | 02:06.871 |
| 45 | 15 | IWATA RACING FAMILY | Yamaha | 02:12.892 |
1st Qualifying Rider Yellow
| Pos. | No. | Team | Machine | Best lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | Honda HRC | Honda | 02:05.023 |
| 2 | 76 | AutoRace Ube Racing Team | BMW | 02:05.895 |
| 3 | 71 | Honda Dream RT SAKURAI HONDA | Honda | 02:06.273 |
| 4 | 21 | YAMAHA RACING TEAM | Yamaha | 02:06.276 |
| 5 | 37 | BMW MOTORRAD WORLD ENDURANCE TEAM | BMW | 02:06.491 |
| 6 | 1 | YOSHIMURA SERT MOTUL | Suzuki | 02:06.651 |
| 7 | 73 | SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda | Honda | 02:06.651 |
| 8 | 0 | Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE | Suzuki | 02:06.655 |
| 10 | 40 | TeamATJ with docomo Business | Honda | 02:06.777 |
| 47 | 15 | IWATA RACING FAMILY | Yamaha | 02:15.979 |
1st Qualifying Rider Red
| Pos. | No. | Team | Machine | Best lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing | Honda | 02:05.910 |
| 2 | 21 | YAMAHA RACING TEAM | Yamaha | 02:06.110 |
| 3 | 73 | SDG Team HARC-PRO. Honda | Honda | 02:06.411 |
| 4 | 1 | YOSHIMURA SERT MOTUL | Suzuki | 02:06.842 |
| 5 | 7 | YART - YAMAHA | Yamaha | 02:07.201 |
| 6 | 40 | TeamATJ with docomo Business | Honda | 02:07.301 |
| 7 | 3 | SDG-DUCATI Team KAGAYAMA | Ducati | 02:07.305 |
| 8 | 37 | BMW MOTORRAD WORLD ENDURANCE TEAM | BMW | 02:07.881 |
| 9 | 0 | Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE | Suzuki | 02:08.321 |
| 10 | 4 | Tati team AVA6 racing | Honda | 02:08.367 |
| 39 | 15 | IWATA RACING FAMILY | Yamaha | 02:13.760 |
