Moto3 is back in Malaysia, and it starts right away with P1. A week ago, David Alonso (CFMoto Aspar Team) won for the 12th time this season, setting a new record in the small category. The Colombian is simply unstoppable and on a series of five consecutive victories. Once again, the others will try to slow him down but he is clearly the favourite. Behind, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GasGas Tech3) is still defending his second position in the championship against Collin Veijer (Husqvarna Liqui Moly Intact GP), but it is getting complicated: the Dutchman was third in Thailand and is closing in after his zero points in Australia. In Buriram, rookie Luca Lunetta (Honda Sic58 Squadra Corse) came in second with the fastest lap in the race: he is therefore one to watch, just like the usual outsiders Ivan Ortola (KTM MT Helmets MSi) and Adrian Fernandez (Honda Leopard Racing).
Even if you already know the outcome of this session, come relive it with us! Before we begin, here is a table which 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 | 2'11.241 David Alonso |
| 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 |
After a morning spent in the wet, the Moto3 weekend resumes on a dry track in Sepang. There is very little wind while the outside temperature is 33 degrees. The track itself is 48 degrees when the start is made.
In terms of timing, Adrian Fernandez quickly made a strong impression with a time of 2:11.684, already much faster than those achieved by Jaume Masia and Taiyo Furusato on Friday of the last edition of the Malaysian GP.
Ryusei Yamanaka and Tatsuki Suzuki then completed the provisional top three, although they were half a second off the lead. The standings changed little throughout a relatively quiet session, and David Alonso seemed to be taking a while to find his rhythm. The 3 Moto2024 champion spent most of his Friday afternoon just outside the top ten, just a second off his rival, Adrian Fernandez.
The action was at its peak in the final five minutes, with most drivers returning to the track to try to set a time in the top 14, and thus secure a potential direct entry into Q2. During this final phase, Adrian Fernandez asserted himself with a 2:11.457.
And just like that, normal service is resumed ✅
David Alonso jumps up to the top of the board! #MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/xnd18hgX44
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 1, 2024
David Alonso's awakening was not long in coming, however, and the Colombian took the lead for the first time in this P1 in 2:11.241. A time that allowed the number 80 to never let go. He therefore concluded a Friday that did not start ideally in the best possible way. Adrian Fernandez and Taiyo Furusato completed the top-3.
Ivan Ortola and David Muñoz will have to have a solid Saturday to save the furniture. Accustomed to the front positions, the two men finished Friday outside the provisional Q2. They will have a second opportunity tomorrow morning in P2. Leader in the morning, Angel Piqueras for his part completes P1 in eleventh place.
Moto1 P3 result at the 2024 Malaysian Grand Prix:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
