Source: Supplied.

Team Suzuki World MX2’s Hunter Lawrence made a solid start to his grand prix career on Friday night in Qatar, finishing fifth in the qualifying heat race.

Lawrence managed to work his way from the mid-pack on the opening lap into the top 10 and moved forward from there, crossing the line fifth on debut.

“I just put some laps in, sitting behind Seewer, Prado and Bernardini, trying not to do anything silly,” Lawrence said. “Ended up fifth, which is great, so we’ll see how it goes tomorrow, but I’m excited to have got the first gate drop out of the way, especially under the lights of Qatar, which was pretty cool.”

Lawrence’s countrymen Jay Wilson (iFly JK Yamaha) and Caleb Ward (8Biano Racing Husqvarna) also made their first world championship appearances, finishing 22nd and 26th respectively.