The Thai Grand Prix looked like it would be a nightmare KTM debut for Enea Bastianini, but he bounced back with an unexpected result on Sunday.

The 2025 pre-season tests had not gone well for Red Bull KTM Tech3's newest riders, Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini.

The poor form also followed the riders into the opening Grand Prix of the year in Thailand. However, after disappointing results on Friday and Saturday, everything changed for Bastianini on Sunday.

The Italian started his season with a ninth place finish in the Thai Grand Prix after finishing 18th in the Sprint the day before. The overnight turnaround for Bastianini exceeded his expectations for his KTM debut.

"I think a bit better than I expected," Bastianini said after the Thai Grand Prix.

"It has been a good race, especially the middle part of the race, I was faster than the riders in the top-seven.

"But the important thing was to learn and to understand compared to other riders again, and to check what is my strongest point and what is the bad one.

"I confirmed my sensation: we lose in the middle of the corner, especially in the slow ones, and after we lose 5–6kph, and for the exit it’s not good, especially when the tyre is new."

Bastianini believes his race changed halfway through the 26 lap Grand Prix as he was 16th on lap 14. In signature Bastianini style, the second half of the race was where he was strongest.

"At the start, I tried to ride much faster, but I was too aggressive and made some mistakes," Bastianini explained.

"In the middle of the race, I tried to be more smooth, without a lot of engine brake, I changed map, and the bike worked well compared to the first part.

"I’m happy because with this bike I’m able to use my strongest point: the last part of the race. From that side, I’m satisfied."