The closest championship of 2023, quite simply. In Moto3, nothing is decided, and qualifying at Sepang will perhaps help us see more clearly in the hierarchy. In Thailand, David Alonso (GasGas Aspar Team) shone brightly for the fourth time this season; the rookie is great, undoubtedly promised a great future. However, will he be up to the task of catching up with the big names this season? Jaume Masia (Honda Leopard Racing), still leading the championship, threatens more than ever to win the overall standings. In Buriram, he took advantage of the abandonment of his direct opponent Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) to take a clear lead. Behind it is war. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3), author of the track record earlier in the day, remains at a distance, tied for third.
Even if you already know the outcome of this decisive session, come relive it with us! Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:
Moto3 Sepang™ |
2022 |
2023 |
FP1 |
2'12.226 Dennis Foggia |
2'12.065 Jaume Masia |
FP2 |
2'12.348 Dennis Foggia |
2'12.518 Taiyo Furusato |
FP3 |
2'12.418 David Munoz |
2'11.139 Daniel Holgado |
Q1 |
2'12.632 Ryusei Yamanaka |
2'12.350 Collin Veijer |
Q2 |
2'11.411 Dennis Foggia |
2'10.846 Jaume Masia |
Warm-up |
2'25.542 Jaume Masia |
XXXXX |
Course |
McPhee, Sasaki, Garcia (See here) |
|
All time lap record |
2'11.411 Dennis Foggia (2022) |
2'10.846 Jaume Masia |
Here we go for Q1, and still in the dry! David Alonso is part of this small group, so he is not out of the woods. Another spectacular rookie, Colin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) is also there.
Four Q2 spots are now up for grabs! 👀
Who will secure them? We'll find out 🔜#MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/uoUingqpEe
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 11, 2023
Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is the first to register a significant time, quickly followed by Mario Aji (Honda Team Asia). But Collin Veijer reacts in the best possible way and takes first place; he has yet to miss Q2 this season.
do not count @CollinVeijer95 out! 👊
He's now got the edge on Rueda by over 2 tenths! #MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/E4ZA27Vt7b
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 11, 2023
Finally, the ranking remains frozen until the end while David Alonso falls for the third time this weekend. He will not qualify in Q2, but that does not mean that he is excluded from the battle tomorrow. The four qualified for Q2 are, in order, Colin Veijer, Jose Antonio Rueda, Xavi Artgias (CFMoto Racing Prüstel GP), And Vincent Perez (KTM Boé Motorsports), replacement for Ana Carrasco.
Crash number 2 of the day for Alonso! 💥💥
A big one at T3 that could prove costly as he currently sits 7th 😱#MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/b01jTYmJGX
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 11, 2023
1 Moto3 Malaysian Grand Prix Q2023 result:
Let's go for a wild Q2! Daniel Holgado, favorite since his new record, will he go for pole? Answer in a few moments. And it starts strong; Deniz Oncu (Red Bull KTM Ajo) almost falls after being overtaken by his teammate Wheel. Moreover, the latter topped the rankings very early in the session. Jaume Masia was stuck in the box during this time!
Pretty much everyone is still in the pits 😮@jaume_masia's back to the base while @Denizoncu53, Perez, Rueda and @XaviArtigas43 stay out 💨#MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/WldEbYhXEH
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 11, 2023
More Daniel Holgado, the favorite, falls just now! Another mistake in the worst moments for him, and this one will perhaps seal his fate in the championship! Amazing ! At the same time, James Masia breaks the lap record and takes first place by nine tenths! He has just passed 2'10, absolutely breathtaking. Disaster for Daniel Holgado.
🔥 @jaume_masia is just in a league of his own at the moment!
That's a new record-breaking lap, 0.9s clear of @CollinVeijer95 in 2nd 🤯#MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/KCiJdT4hHi
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 11, 2023
Honestly, we don't see how it could be dislodged. And it's done ! Jaume Masia takes pole, unsurprisingly. A real slap in the face. Collin Veijer is second, ahead Matthew Bertelli (Honda Snipers Team) in the first line. Big disappointment for Daniel Holgado et Deniz Öncü.
Not the result @daniholgado96 would have hoped for ⚠️
He sets the 14th quickest lap time 😮#MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/QGuxw5wjFN
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) November 11, 2023
Moto3 Malaysian Grand Prix 2023 qualifying result:
Credit ranking: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: Honda Leopard Racing