2024 Malaysian MotoGP News and Results

Cycle News Staff | November 3, 2024

Sunday MotoGP Race

On Sunday, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) headed out to keep his World Championship hopes alive with a win at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, and he did just that. It was a sensational ride from the #1, who put the hammer down after a breathtaking battle with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) in the opening laps that will go down in history as one of the best duels the sport has ever seen. From there it was a cat and mouse to the finish, with Bagnaia finding enough to keep Martin at bay and reduce the gap to 24 points by the flag. And remember, the maximum score per weekend is now 37…

Behind them, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) was able to grab the final spot on the podium in a crucial day for ‘The Beast’, who moved a step closer as he continues his fight for third position in the Championship against the very same Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) who crashed out from third after getting a box office seat for the duel at the front.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP News and Results — **Bagnaia (1) and Martin (89) went hard at it in the opening laps, swapping places back and forth until Bagnaia made the getaway.**

Once the lights went out, it was a good launch from Bagnaia but he was near side-by-side with Martin on the charge into Turn 1. However, a crash at Turn 2 involving Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) would bring out the red flag and reset the tense showdown once again before a lap was complete. Miller was taken for checks and deemed fit, Quartararo and Binder walked away, but the South African pulled in before the restart.

After that pique of adrenaline, the lights went out again, with Bagnaia making an incredible launch on take two, catapulting into the lead on the run to Turn 1. Martin was forced to slot into second, with Marc Marquez battling into the podium places on Lap 1. As soon as was possible at the head of the field though, it was GLOVES OFF. Martin made his first move on the opening lap, with Bagnaia instantly responding as the title fight kicked into another gear. Game on.

Bagnaia and Martin continued to lock horns, trading places and trading blows in the opening stages of a spectacular Malaysian GP. The tension was high as the lead continued to swap hands at every opportunity, with just inches separating them on the circuit. Paint was exchanged between the title rivals in the opening stages including one near bash on the straight, and with Marc Marquez watching on from behind in third place.

It was a true spectacle, with the two title contenders absolutely going at it… and still able to somehow pull a gap on those behind. By Lap 5 though, Bagnaia had made it stick and a small mistake from Martin saw a sliver of breathing space become the fastest lap from the #1 as he got the hammer down. Now it became a battle of a different kind.

Some more drama then hit near the front, and “What will Marc Marquez do?” got an earlier answer than the eight-time World Champion intended as he slid out, rejoining down the order. That left Bastianini in third as he’d pulled away from the group on the chase but not homed in on the front battle. Behind, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was fending off Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) for P4, and Quartararo wasn’t far off them either.

And then. Ater it could have seemed a foregone conclusion at the front, the gap suddenly started to come down. From over two seconds it disappeared in a tenth here and a tenth there, with Bagnaia either struggling or teasing. Just as it got below 1.5s, however, the #89 made a crucial mistake at Turn 9 – dropping a further eight-tenths behind. The possibility had proven strong but Martin didn’t falter with the temptation as much as Bagnaia may have been hoping, forced to settle for second but seemingly content to do so as his points advantage remains sizeable.

At the front, Bagnaia didn’t falter either, crossing the line to win by 3.141s on a critical day in the 2024 MotoGP™ World Championship. The Italian’s victory sees #TheRematch to roll on after defeating Martin in Malaysia, and after the duo served up a true, true all-time great duel.

Bastianini made one error to halt what seemed like it could be a possible charge, wide at the final corner, but kept it on the road thereafter to take that third place. Behind, Alex Marquez claimed fourth, with the #73 continuing to defend from Acosta in the closing stages of the Grand Prix. 1.469s separated the duo at the line as Quartararo heroically finished inside the top six after a stunning ride from the Frenchman on the restart, taking his and Yamaha’s best GP result of the season so far. The #20 placed ahead of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ teammate Alex Rins as the #42 grabbed eighth.

The final spots on the top 10 spots were taken by Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) as Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LRC) bagged 11th. Marc Marquez charged to P12 after rejoining, ending a strong recovery ride with points as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), Morbidelli, and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) scored the final point on Sunday.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP Results—Sunday MotoGP Race

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)
2	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+3.141
3	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+10.484
4	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+12.230
5	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+13.699
6	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™)	+16.245
7	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+19.447
8	Alex Rins	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™)	+20.611
9	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+21.994
10	Augusto Fernandez	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+22.174

Moto2 Race

Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) emerged victorious at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia, with the Italian securing an incredible win after looking unstoppable on Sunday. Vietti took glory by 1.486s, crossing the line in P1 ahead of Jorge Navarro (OnlyFans American Racing Team), who capped off an incredible weekend as he continued to impress while substituting for the injured Joe Roberts. Navarro took second ahead of Izan Guevara, who took a late podium for the CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team as he capitalised on an error from teammate Jake Dixon heading onto the final lap.

As the lights went out, Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) made an incredible start, launching into P1 on the run to Turn 1. However, Vietti then made a key move, snatching the lead at Turn 1, with OnlyFans American Racing Team’s Ramirez and Navarro in pursuit. Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) also began to work hard at the start, charging into P2 and demoting Ramirez to third.

Ramirez would not wait long to respond, beginning to duel with Ogura before making the move stick at the end of Lap 1. Meanwhile, Vietti put down the hammer, stretching his gap to over one second in a stunning display. It was an unbelievable pace from Vietti, a rhythm which pushed the Italian to the limit as he made a mistake at Turn 1.

Vietti’s lead was now diminished, with Ramirez glued to his rear tyre as Ogura and Navarro began to duel. Navarro made the move stick on Lap 7, demoting Ogura to third as he aimed to claim his first podium since 2022. The #9’s charge did not stop there as he slid past Ramirez on Lap 9. Then, he soon set his sights on leader Vietti.

The battle for the final spot on the podium continued, with Ogura responding on Lap 10 and snatching third position. However, the #79 was stopped in his tracks on Lap 11 as a bike issue caused the World Champion to end his race early.

Once Dixon entered P3, the #96 began to extend his margin to half a second over Ramirez. Meanwhile, Navarro lost ground to Vietti at the front, as the #13 regained composure and extended his lead to one second.

Further back, Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) continued his recovery ride from P13 on the grid, carving his way to ninth. Canet soon found his way through on Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™) as he took eighth and set his sights on Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P7.

On the final lap, nobody could match Vietti’s relentless pace, allowing the Italian to clinch his third victory of the season after defeating Navarro. It was a stunning ride for the #9 to bag second place while Guevara took the final spot on the podium after Dixon briefly slowed down at the start of the final lap.

Dixon held onto fourth across the line, fending off Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) as the Italian rounded out the top five spots on Sunday. Meanwhile, Ramirez claimed sixth, unable to hold onto the top five in the closing laps. Öncü held onto P7 and in the end held onto a comfortable margin over Canet.

Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) rounded out the top 10 as Gonzalez dropped to P11. The Spaniard placed ahead of teammate Albert Arenas as Alonso Lopez (Sync SpeedUp), Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) and Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s Filip Salač secured the final points on race day.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP Results—Moto2 Race

1	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)
2	Jorge Navarro	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+1.486
3	Izan Guevara	(CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team)	+3.265
4	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team)	+4.502
5	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+4.833
6	Marcos Ramirez	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+5.684
7	Deniz Öncü	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+7.720
8	Aron Canet	(Fantic Racing)	+9.357
9	Somkiat Chantra	(IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia)	+10.429
10	Diogo Moreira	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+10.836

Moto3 Race

David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) made history at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia after racing to an unbelievable 13th victory of the season. It was Alonso’s sixth consecutive win, but he was made to work hard by second place Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) after the #72 missed out by a mere 0.088s at the line. Comeback King Furusato produced a fine ride to beat the hard-charging third place finisher Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo), as the Spaniard stood on the box for the first time since Aragon.

Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) claimed the holeshot on the run to Turn 1, snatching P1 after an incredible launch. The #48 was chased by David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team) on the opening lap, with the #22 charging from ninth to second.

P2 hunting Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) suffered some early drama as the #96 crashed, which also saw Alonso drop to outside the top 10. Meanwhile, Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez and Angel Piqueras also had a disappointing end to their weekends as both retired due to mechanical issues.

Furusato had his opportunity in P1, with the recovering Alonso in pursuit. The gloves were off, with Alonso and Ortola pouncing on Furusato’s mistake at Turn 14. The #72 responded, finding a gap in the #48’s armour as he returned to second place.

Tension was high at the front, with Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) entering the podium fight as the Dutchman began to duel for P3. However, the #95 had Rueda on his tailpipes, with the #99 showing an incredible late-race pace to get into the podium frame.

On the final lap, Alonso was under pressure from Furusato, with the #80 aiming to create further history at Sepang. Alonso held onto P1, crossing the line to claim a stunning 13th victory of the season. The Colombian crossed the line ahead of Furusato as Rueda was able to fend off Ortola, increasing his margin to 0.996s at the chequered flag.

Ortola took fourth, finishing less than one second adrift from victory and crossing the line in front of Veijer. The Dutchman rounded out the top five and is now tied on points with Holgado for P3 in the Championship. Meanwhile, Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) was sixth, bagging solid points and placing ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka, who completed a strong day for the MT Helmets – MSI squad. Meanwhile, Stefano Nepa secured eighth.

Further back, Matteo Bertelle (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team) and Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) rounded out the 10 as Almansa finished in 11th. The #22 was 10 seconds adrift from P1, with Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Xabi Zurutuza (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Honda Team Asia’s Tatchakorn Buasri securing the final points.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP Results—Moto3 Race

1	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)
2	Taiyo Furusato	(Honda Team Asia)	+0.088
3	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.411
4	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.996
5	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+1.091
6	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+1.225
7	Ryusei Yamanaka	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+1.496
8	Stefano Nepa	(LEVELUP – MTA)	+7.244
9	Matteo Bertelle	(Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team)	+7.346
10	Luca Lunetta	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+10.806

2024 Malaysian MotoGP News—Saturday

Bagnaia blows it

Saturday had the feel of a decisive day. Pecco Bagnaia’s crash out at Turn 9 may well have swung the title in Jorge Martin’s favor. The Spaniard extended his lead out to 29 points after winning the Sprint race.

“Honestly, I just told myself I’d brake earlier, with more calm, to not risk and I crashed,” said Bagnaia. “Entered a bit slower but touched the bump at the apex and lost the front. I knew Jorge was more in trouble with used tyres and I was just waiting. He started better and I waited. The pace wasn’t that fast. So, I knew I’d have a chance to overtake in the next laps.”

His issue this year, he feels, has been the Sprint performances. “All the mistakes I did are on the Saturdays. This is a shame. Jorge was just better on Saturdays this season.”

Malaysian qualifying ‘one to remember’

Bagnaia and Martin’s face off in qualifying was one for the ages. Martin’s second flying lap of 1m 56.552 was spectacular, as he put half a second into his pursuers. But Bagnaia’s response – a 1m 56.337 – was not only 1.1s under his previous lap record; it was 0.9s faster than third placed Alex Marquez.

The respective performances drew praise from their peers. “Today it was amazing as a MotoGP fan to see qualifying. It was one to remember,” said Aleix Espargaro. “It’s unbelievable the level they have. They are really, really close to the limit every single lap, every single corner.”

Pedro Acosta agreed. “It’s incredible how they are pushing each other. They both have earned it, but I think Pecco has always been in the position of being ahead. Last year was the first year that Martín took a risk, which means nerves, lack of confidence… and it’s normal that so many things take their toll on you. I think Martín has learned a lot from last year.”

Sterlacchini present in Malaysia

Aprilia’s new Technical Director, Fabiano Sterlacchini, was present in Malaysia as an observer to get an idea of the factory’s working method ahead of November, when he takes over from Romano Albesiano, who is off to HRC.

The Italian, who was previously Gigi Dall’Igna’s number two at Ducati, before spending time at KTM, already made an impression on Aleix Espargaro. “He was my crew chief the first time I jumped on a MotoGP bike with Ducati Pramac, and I chatted a bit today with him during the lunch,” he said. “I tried to give my point of view as a really old guy in Aprilia with the problems that we had in the past, with my experience, and yeah, he’s trying to understand a little bit how we work. I’m happy, looks like a good choice from Massimo.”

Saturday MotoGP Sprint Race

The Tissot Sprint at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia was always going to be pivotal. How pivotal was to be decided over 10 laps of technical racetrack shared by 22 riders in the searing heat, two of whom are fighting it out to be crowned 2024 Champion. In the dance of risk and reward, points leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) took off at the front to lay down the gauntlet. And as he so rarely has when under pressure, reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) took just that tiny bit too much risk as he slid out from second. Now, it’s 29 points at the top… and it could all come down to Sunday.

Behind that drama, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) came home second after keeping Martin honest following Bagnaia’s crash, with Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) completing the podium.

The tension rose even more following a brief spattering of raindrops, but as the grid roared off, the track was dry and Martin got the jump from second on the grid, nabbing the inside as Bagnaia hung it round the outside. But the #1 had to concede into Turn 2 and they shot off at the front together as the shuffle settled, with Marc Marquez for close company.

Just behind, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) had dropped back from the front row and was squabbling with Franco Morbidelli (Prima Prama Racing) for fifth, with Bastianini having leapfrogged them into fourth. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) was soon up into that mix too, off the mark quick and with the speed to go with it.

Meanwhile at the front, the leading trio pounded on. Martin was setting some serious space, with the #1 and #93 in hot pursuit. And then it happened – the moment that may have decided the 2024 MotoGP™ World Championship. Or certainty one of them.

As Martin pushed on, Bagnaia had no choice but to push just as hard – with a 17-point deficit on the way into the Sprint. That then suddenly became a potential 29 as the reigning Champion slid out in one of the lowest speed, highest stakes crashes in recent memory. Rider ok, Bagnaia was forced to watch on as Martin kept Marquez at bay at the front, likely cheering for the #93 for the first time in his life.

Martin did keep him at bay, however, never letting the Gresini machine really home in over the seven laps between the him and that 29-point advantage. The #89 kept it calm to cross the line with just under a second in hand, setting up his first ever outright Championship point in MotoGP™. Marc Marquez took second, keeping some pressure on but not able to really cut that lead.

Bastianini’s quick start and good pace rewarded him with third after he proved able to pull away from Alex Marquez, with the #73 taking P4. Just behind him came Quartararo after a stunning Saturday afternoon for El Diablo, taking his and Yamaha’s best result of the season in a Sprint or GP, equaling the P5 from Jerez on Saturday.

Morbidelli was forced to settle for sixth, ahead of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) at the head of a KTM/GASGAS showdown – with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) just able to stay ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) this time round, returning the favour from Buriram. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) missed out on the final Sprint point by just seven tenths.

Was that the moment that decided the crown? After racing for 678 points, every moment has its sway. But in the final stint they decide when and where that ultimate prize is on the line, and in 2024 that will now be Sunday at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia.

If Martin wins the Grand Prix, Bagnaia has to follow him home in second or it’s game over in the title fight and a new name will be etched onto the trophy.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP Results—MotoGP Sprint Race

1	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)
2	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.913
3	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+2.010
4	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+6.575
5	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™)	+7.917
6	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+8.957
7	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+11.015
8	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+11.834
9	Pedro Acosta	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+12.091
10	Marco Bezzecchi	(Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)	+12.840

MotoGP Qualifying

The greatest Q2 ever? It has to be in the mix. #TheRematch was turned to up to full power on Saturday morning at Sepang as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) treated us to a qualifying battle for the ages – and it was the reigning World Champion who came out on top.

Pecco’s phenomenal 1:56.337 in the closing stages saw the #1 beat Martin’s magnificent 1:56.553 to clinch a crucial PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia pole position, as the title-chasing duo get set to launch from P1 and P2 for the Tissot Sprint and Grand Prix race this weekend. Last year’s Sprint winner and Sunday podium finisher, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), joins Bagnaia and Martin on the front row for Chapter 19 of 2024.

Q1

The first reference lap time in Q1 came from Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), a 1:58.063, but that didn’t last long. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) climbed to P1 thanks to a 1:57.974, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) moving ahead of Binder into P2. At the end of the first time attacks, 0.089s split Bezzecchi, Acosta and Binder, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) 0.133s off P1 in fourth.

On his next run on fresh rubber, Bezzecchi improved by a tenth and shadowing his teammate, Andrea Iannone briefly pounced to a very impressive P5. Binder then responded. The South African now led the session with a 1:57.800, which saw Acosta drop to P3. Could Acosta find a time to grab a Q2 spot? Yes he could. Acosta beat Bezzecchi’s time by 0.030s but attention turned to a flying Frenchman.

Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), after starting his final five minutes needing to restart his bike at Turn 2, produced an absolute showstopper to end Q1 at the summit. Zarco clinched top spot by 0.165s as the #5 and Binder earned Q2 promotion, leaving Acosta and Bezzecchi P13 and P14 on the grid for the Tissot Sprint and race.

Q2

We didn’t need it, but that certainly whetted the appetite for the pivotal pole position shootout in Sepang. On the first outing, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) tucked in behind Bagnaia, with both Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ riders – Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins – also in tow. Pecco’s lap was a 1:57.191, Marc Marquez set a 1:57.557 as not far behind, Martin hammered home a stunning 1:56.996. A belter.

And on the next lap, the goalposts were moved even further. Bagnaia improved but couldn’t dip into the 1:56s as Martin, astonishingly, set a 1:56.553 to go 0.527s clear of his title rival – outrageous pace from the Championship leader. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) was P3 after the initial time attacks, 0.813s away from Martin, with Marc Marquez the only other rider to sit within a second of the #89.

But it wasn’t over just yet. Bagnaia’s first split on fresh tyres was 0.113s under Martin’s effort. Bagnaia was still in the red in Sector 2 – 0.045s ahead of Martin’s time. Then through Sector 3, it was up to 0.059s. This was sensational. Would the time hold through Sector 4? You bet it would. Bagnaia responded with an almighty bang as a 1:56.337 was thrown down and now the onus was back on Martin.

A Bastianini crash briefly brought out the yellow flags at the final corner but it wasn’t going to trouble Martin, who was charging. Martin was under a tenth away from Pecco’s time but as the Spaniard clicked through Sector 3, the challenge was over. Martin was 0.2s down, then lost the front coming into Turn 14, so that was all she wrote in a spellbinding qualifying battle between #TheRematch contenders.

While the focus was on the two Championship fighters, Alex Marquez’s 1:57.275 saw last year’s double Malaysian GP podium finisher collect a front row start. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) spearheads the second row of the grid in P4, with fifth place Marc Marquez the final rider to qualify within a second of Bagnaia. Bastianini’s crash meant ‘The Beast’ was forced to settle for P6 – work to do for the Italian in his victory bid.

Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Quartararo and Rins make up the third row of the grid, with Q2 graduates Binder and Zarco ending Q2 in P10 and P11 respectively, as Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) finished the 15-minute stint in P12.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP Results—MotoGP Qualifying

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	1:56.337
2	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.216
3	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.938
4	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.942
5	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.964
6	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+1.029
7	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+1.221
8	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™)	+1.225
9	Alex Rins	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™)	+1.389
10	Brad Binder	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+1.545

Moto2 Qualifying

A replacement rider pinching pole position doesn’t happen very often – but it has today! A brilliant all-time lap record in Sepang from Jorge Navarro (OnlyFans American Racing Team) saw the Spaniard claim a Saturday afternoon P1, as OnlyFans American Racing Team celebrate a Q2 1-2 as Marcos Ramirez secured a P2 start. A late flying lap from Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) saw the Italian grab a front row start for Sunday’s encounter.

Albert Arenas (Gresini Moto2™) was the rider to get demoted from P3 following Vietti’s late lap, so the Practice pacesetter will have to settle for a P4 starting slot. Rookie Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) are the other two riders who will set off from the second row.

World Champion Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) qualified seventh, while second in the Championship Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) will hope to clinch the 2024 silver medal from P13 on the grid. Luckily for the #44, his two main challengers – Alonso Lopez (Sync SpeedUp) and Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) – failed to make it out of Q1 and will start from P20 and P19 respectively.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP Results—Moto2 Qualifying

1	Jorge Navarro	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	2:04.412
2	Marcos Ramirez	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.063
3	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.147
4	Albert Arenas	(Gresini Moto2™)	+0.231
5	Deniz Öncü	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.285
6	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.344
7	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.347
8	Manuel Gonzalez	(Gresini Moto2™)	+0.390
9	Diogo Moreira	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+0.507
10	Filip Salac	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.525

Moto3 Qualifying

Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) stole the Q2 show in Sepang after the Spaniard left it late to land a sensational all-time lap record – a 2:09.542 – and a debut Grand Prix pole. That time saw pole position snatched from Ivan Ortola’s (MT Helmets – MSI) grasp as the #48 settles for P2, while World Champion David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) lines up on the outside of the front row in third.

Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) spearheads the second row of the grid, with the Japanese rider joined on Row 2 by Q1 graduate Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) and SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Luca Lunetta.

Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) will aim to wrap up the Rookie of the Year crown from P7 after the #36 crashed at Turn 1 in the closing stages of qualifying. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) hunts a podium in his quest to beat Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) to P2 overall, as the latter launches from P11.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP Results—Moto3 Qualifying

1	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	2:09.542
2	Ivan Ortola	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.353
3	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	+0.473
4	Tatsuki Suzuki	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.586
5	Joel Kelso	(BOE Motorsports)	+0.736
6	Luca Lunetta	(SIC58 Squadra Corse)	+0.747
7	Angel Piqueras	(Leopard Racing)	+0.970
8	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.976
9	David Almansa	(Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team)	+1.037
10	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+1.205

2024 Malaysian MotoGP News—Friday

Valencia chaos

Devastating floods in the Valencia region of Spain have cast some doubt on the final round of the MotoGP season, which is set to be held just outside the city in eastern Spain from November 15-17.

Dorna has indicated it plans to plough ahead with the final round and is awaiting confirmation from the regional government on whether it would be feasible. But that possibility has made many uncomfortable, with the death toll currently at 155 and poised to rise further, and thousands of homes affected by the floods.

Marc Marquez has stated it would be “unethical” to race there, even if the event date is delayed. And Pecco Bagnaia went one step further on Friday, stating “Even at the cost of losing the ultimate goal for me, which is to win the title, I am not willing to race in Valencia,” said the Italian, who trails Martin by 17 points ahead of the Malaysian GP. I very much hope that they will take into consideration the fact that on an ethical level and with what is happening it is not the right thing to.”

Iannone returns

Andrea Iannone was back aboard a MotoGP machine for the first time since the final race of 2019 as he deputizes for Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is having serious surgery on his left shoulder.

The Italian revealed a personal call with VR46 Ducati owner Valentino Rossi was when he learnt of the news. “I called Vale and he said to me, ‘so Andrea, I think it’s really good if you come to replace Diggia and you ride the MotoGP bike one more time.’ I think he thought maybe I would hesitate one second, but I immediately said: ‘OK, perfect!’”

Iannone was impressive on Friday, ending the day under two seconds behind Pecco Bagnaia. “On entry, braking point, entry and the corner speed – this is the biggest difference,” he said of the big difference in a MotoGP machine’s performance compared to his 2019 bike. “It’s unbelievable. It’s really difficult to touch the limit. Is more easy to ride. It’s less nervous, more stability and so entering is more easy. It’s turning really well. But on the braking point, with these brakes, phffff… It destroys (me).”

Yamaha’s new engine

Fabio Quartararo had a new engine to sample on Friday. However, a mechanical issue meant they had to put it to the side. “I could only make 1.5 laps with the engine. We had an issue, so we will not use it any more;” he said.

Despite that, Yamaha’s lead rider posted positive times at the end of Friday, which, coupled with his best qualifying of the year in Thailand, suggested progress had been made on a flying lap – a glaring weakness of the M1 for the best part of two years.

The Frenchman believes a revised electronics strategy, masterminded by Technical Director Max Bartolini, is responsible. “From Thailand I would say, but here today we have changed the way to handle the electronics. We’re still in the old place, like Yamaha back in the days, but now we are riding in a completely different style so for myself it is quite difficult to adapt because we change a lot in the electronics and I still have to remember a few things because we are controlling a lot less the bike. If I forget it is much easier to make a highside, let’s say. I think I was riding in a much better way today.”

Friday MotoGP

0.050s splitting Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) after Day 1 of the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia? That’ll do nicely for us neutrals in the stands. #TheRematch rivals went head-to-head on Friday afternoon and it was the reigning World Champion who bagged the perfect day on paper, as the points leader suffered a small crash late in the day. Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed the top three as the Italian lapped just under two tenths slower than teammate Bagnaia. And remember, he said he wouldn’t help…

From early in the session, Martin sat at the summit as title rival Bagnaia was enduring a not-so-smooth sailing session in the afternoon heat. A change of gloves was needed heading into the final 20 minutes of Practice and with less than 15 minutes to go, Pecco was outside of the all-important – and more crucial than ever – top 10.

And it was with 14 minutes to go when we saw the time attacks come in. Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) was the first big mover, the Japanese rider climbed to P3 behind Martin and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Then, the goalposts were moved by the #1. Bagnaia set a 1:58.280 to go 0.091s quicker than teammate Bastianini, with Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) now inside the top three too.

Bagnaia’s stint at the top didn’t last long though. Martin dipped into the 1:57s for the first time to sit nearly half a second clear of the pack with 10 minutes to go, as Bastianini improved to leapfrog Bagnaia into P2. On his next flying lap, Martin gained more time to set a 1:57.729 to put him 0.532s clear of Bastianini. Now, how could Pecco respond?

The answer was very well. Bagnaia nailed his final two sectors on a fresh medium rear Michelin tyre to beat Martin’s time by 0.050s, as Rins – shadowing the reigning Champion – jumped to P4 ahead of teammate Fabio Quartararo.

Then, a small dose of drama was served up. Martin was down at Turn 1 as he clicked back into time attack mode, at that was his session over. Day 1 belonged to Bagnaia in #TheRematch watch, but further down the timesheets, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) needed a last-lap PB to hop into the top 10.

And the #93 produced the goods – but only just. Marquez went P8 but improvements from Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Quartararo shuffled the eight-time World Champion down to P10, and those late laps demoted Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) to P11.

So at the end of play, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) led the charge behind the leading trio in P4, with Top Gun the only other rider to get within half a second of Bagnaia’s impressive effort. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was 0.6s away in P5, as less than a tenth split the #73 to his brother Marc Marquez in P10. Making up the filling in the Marquez sandwich were Quartararo, Morbidelli, Rins and Miller, as both Yamahas enjoy fruitful Fridays in Sepang – a rare double automatic Q2 entry.

On Saturday morning, Acosta, Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) are the standout names that will need to progress through Q1 in Malaysia, but all eyes will be on #TheRematch.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP Results—Friday MotoGP

1	Francesco Bagnaia	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	1:57.679
2	Jorge Martin	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.050
3	Enea Bastianini	(Ducati Lenovo Team)	+0.198
4	Maverick Viñales	(Aprilia Racing)	+0.462
5	Alex Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.617
6	Fabio Quartararo	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™)	+0.624
7	Franco Morbidelli	(Prima Pramac Racing)	+0.631
8	Alex Rins	(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™)	+0.657
9	Jack Miller	(Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)	+0.681
10	Marc Marquez	(Gresini Racing MotoGP™)	+0.683

Friday Moto2

Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™) heads into Saturday’s Sepang Moto2™ running as the benchmark after the Spaniard slotted home a 2:05.576 to finish a healthy 0.333s clear of second place Filip Salač (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team). 0.035s further back in third was rookie Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who set an impressive pace on his first outing in the class in Malaysia.

Free Practice pacesetter, Jake Dixon (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team), ended Friday in P4 but the Briton’s day was hampered by a huge final corner highside in the afternoon session. Dixon didn’t sustain any serious injuries and will be back on track on Saturday, and having looked strong until the crash, the #96 will be hoping to bounce back ahead of qualifying.

Newly crowned World Champion, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), rounded out Friday’s top five in Malaysia. The Japanese rider was just over half a second away from Gonzalez, with Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) searching for Saturday improvements after the Spaniard finished P11 on the weekend he could clinch P2 overall.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP Results—Friday Moto2

1	Manuel Gonzalez	(Gresini Moto2™)	2:05.576
2	Filip Salac	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.333
3	Deniz Öncü	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.368
4	Jake Dixon	(CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team)	+0.464
5	Ai Ogura	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.520
6	Tony Arbolino	(Elf Marc VDS Racing Team)	+0.559
7	Albert Arenas	(Gresini Moto2™)	+0.573
8	Diogo Moreira	(Italtrans Racing Team)	+0.585
9	Celestino Vietti	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.589
10	Marcos Ramirez	(OnlyFans American Racing Team)	+0.618

Friday Moto3

David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), once again, is the Moto3™ rider to beat so far in Sepang after the 2024 World Champion set a late PB time to top Practice 1. The Colombian’s 2:11.241 was 0.216s quicker than second place Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), with Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) just under half a second adrift of Alonso in P3.

Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) made it two Japanese riders in the top four, with silver medal-chasing Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) completing the fastest five on Day 1. The Dutch star was 0.560s down on Alonso’s best lap.

The rider currently leading the P2 Championship finish place, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), ended Friday in P7 behind sixth place Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Meanwhile, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) – another rider who is hunting second overall – has work to do on Saturday morning after a P16 finish in Practice 1.

2024 Malaysian MotoGP Results—Friday Moto3

1	David Alonso	(CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team)	2:11.241
2	Adrian Fernandez	(Leopard Racing)	+0.216
3	Taiyo Furusato	(Honda Team Asia)	+0.466
4	Ryusei Yamanaka	(MT Helmets – MSI)	+0.492
5	Collin Veijer	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+0.560
6	Jose Antonio Rueda	(Red Bull KTM Ajo)	+0.645
7	Daniel Holgado	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.763
8	Jacob Roulstone	(Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)	+0.924
9	Scott Ogden	(FleetSafe Honda – MLav Racing)	+0.961
10	Tatsuki Suzuki	(Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP)	+1.004

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