Moto3 Malaysia FP: Angel Piqueras the most daring on the drying in Sepang

David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) having obtained its world champion title Moto3 in the most beautiful way, winning for the 12th time this 2024 season and the 5th consecutive time, the question that now arises, at the start of this Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang, is who will fill the other two steps of the final podium, among the three potential contenders.

Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) has built up a small lead of 11 points in the race for the general classification places, but with 50 points still at stake, at least if the schedule is maintained, Colin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) appears to be in good shape, as illustrated by its 3rd place obtained in Thailand, stealing the podium from the unlucky Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) coming out of the final corner.

Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), who took fourth place in Buriram, are 32 points behind Daniel Holgado and at 21 Collin Veijer, which seems like a lot to go back to in the current context, although possible, if so.

It is between these three that the place of vice-champion will be played, while elsewhere, Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) still has a chance to get ahead Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) to the Rookie of the Year title after the Italian claimed third place in Thailand, while the Spaniard suffered a crash that also deprived his team-mate Adrian Fernandez from the podium. 31 points separate the two drivers. Luca Lunetta will therefore have to limit the gap to 25 points or less if he wants to have a chance of winning this title in Valencia.

A possible 13th win for the Colombian, a battle for P2, Rookie of the Year honours and a host of podium-hungry riders mean another fascinating Moto3™ weekend awaits us in Malaysia.

In the meantime, and in the absence of any wild card, the 26 drivers prepared under a well-overcast sky with morning temperatures of 26° in the air and 28° on the ground for this 35-minute free practice session on a track wet from overnight rain.

Here is a table that summarizes the known facts :

Moto3™ Malaysia, Sepang	2023	2024
FP	2'12.065 Jaume Masia	2'23.835 Angel Piqueras
P1	2'12.518 Taiyo Furusato
P2	2'11.139 Daniel Holgado
Q1	2'12.350 Collin Veijer
Q2	2'10.846 Jaume Masia
Course	Veijer, Sasaki, Masia (See here)
All time lap record	2'10.846 Jaume Masia 2023

When the red lights go out… it’s no longer raining but the rain tires are out, and it’s relatively cautiously that David munoz (BOE Motorsports) posted a 2'25.870 at the end of the first flying lap.

The Spaniard, however, kept the advantage on the next run, posting a time of 2'25.582 before returning to his box.

For a long time, no one improves on this reference, and only David Almansa (Kopron Rivacold Snipers Team) came close to 63/1000 before making a minor mistake.

Midway through the session, David Alonso has only done 4 laps and is clearly not pushing hard since he is in last position.

With 12 minutes left in the session, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) very provisionally takes command of operations before being overtaken by the same David munoz in 2'25.025.

His teammate Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) did the same on the next pass but was again overtaken by number 64, this time in 2'24.387.

Five minutes before the checkered flag, we see another pit stop for the session leader, in a session that straddles the wet and dry.

At the last minute, Angel Piqueras achieved the best time in 2'23.835.

Moto3 Malaysian Grand Prix FP Results at Sepang:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Moto3 Malaysia FP