The end of the Moto3 world championship is coming to an end with the race in Thailand. Each unbreathable finish brings us closer to a legendary explanation, and the Buriram track did not harm us. After 35 minutes of intense battle, David Alonso won in masterful fashion. Before the start, several key drivers were to watch starting with pole sitter Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), winner of the Australian Grand Prix and poison in the final moments. Of course, the first two in the championship, namely Jaume Masiá (Honda Leopard Racing) and Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) remained very serious competitors. Even if the Japanese had not yet won a single race in 2023, he remained close to his closest rival. While he had led for the majority of the season, Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) had fallen in points, but had not yet said his last word.
This Moto3 grid, one of the most competitive ever seen since the advent of the category in 2012, leaves you dreaming. So, even if you already know the outcome of this race, come and relive it with us! Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:
Thailand Buriram Moto3™ |
2022 |
2023 |
FP1 |
1'51.520 Tatsuki Suzuki |
1'42.318 Jaume Masia |
FP2 |
1'43.503 Ayumu Sasaki |
1'42.319 Jaume Masia |
FP3 |
1'42.084 Dennis Foggia |
1'41.907 Deniz Öncü |
Q1 |
1'42.813 Lorenzo Fellon |
1'42.450 Joel Kelso |
Q2 |
1'42.077 Dennis Foggia |
1'42.061 Deniz Öncü |
Warm up |
1'42.765 Dennis Foggia |
XXXXX |
Course |
Foggia, Sasaki, Rossi (See here) |
Alonso, Furusato, Veijer |
All time lap record |
1'42.077 Dennis Foggia 2022 |
1'41.907 Deniz Öncü |
The weather is still optimal, we are ready for a battle that only Moto3 is ready to offer us. The tension is palpable on the grid, there is no room for error for the young guns. The lights go out, and off we go!
🚦 # Moto3 ARE GOING IN BURIRAM! 🚦@Denizoncu53 leads from @AyumuSasaki1 through Turn 1 but the Crazy Boy leads at the end of the straight! 🚀#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/tOZJog8sfL
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) October 29, 2023
Deniz Oncu makes the holeshot, but Ayumu Sasaki take advantage of the long straight following the first bend to take the slipstream and overtake the Turk. Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) takes advantage at turn 2, while Jaume Masia rises to the lead. David Alonso (GasGas Aspar Team), the brilliant rookie, came back like a bullet and did not give up the world championship. Daniel Holgado, he is already in distress!
The big mover – @jaume_masia! 🚨
He's up from 7th to 2nd on lap one! 📈#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/A3MQFwOHzJ
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) October 29, 2023
More Diogo Moreira (KTM MT Helmets MSi), well placed on the grid, has not said its last word! Here he is first, although the hierarchy is impossible to determine at the moment.
The championship has just ended! David munoz (KTM Boé Motorsports) experiences as a mechanical problem right in the middle of the trajectory and Ayumu Sasaki can't avoid it! Both find themselves on the ground, which leaves the door open for Jaume Masia in the general! Amazing ! In addition, Daniel Holgado was also involved in the accident even though he avoided the fall. In front, Collin Veijer leads and hopes to help his teammate by achieving his first victory.
😱 SASAKI’S DOWN! 😱
He hit the back of @david64official after it looks like David had a mechanical problem! 💥#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/xqzTMxvrCK
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) October 29, 2023
James Masia takes command, but the lead changes too often for the position to be meaningful. A few laps later, the situation calms down a little. First place is always exchanged depending on daring overtaking, but nothing more serious. Deniz Oncu performs yet another high-class overtake to regain the lead, what a driver!
The polesitter hits the forehead! 🔥@Denizoncu53 with a typically brave move through Turn 4! 🤯#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/UPQELFsBAE
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) October 29, 2023
Is this the glory day for Collin Veijer ? The Dutchman is absolutely impressive today, as is Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), which also gravitates around the race leader!
WHAT HAS MOVED! 🤯@CollinVeijer95 around the outside of two of them into Turn 4! 🔥#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/GnlsPkNdWb
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) October 29, 2023
Et voila Furusato leading the race for the first time in his career! Nothing is done however. It's getting hot in the peloton! Furusato et Veijer touch each other in the straight line!
Go @Taiyofurusato72! 🇯🇵
The Japanese youngster leads for the first time in his career! 👏
He could be on for a first # Moto3 victory! 🔥#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/nJpuvm1T7M
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) October 29, 2023
With two rounds remaining, the outcome is more than uncertain. James Masia tries some crazy things in the leading group, but fails to take the lead. Everything will be decided at the last corner, that's almost a certainty. And Daniel Holgado back to the first ones! Advantage Veijer at the start of the last lap.
David Alonso grabs the lead at a critical moment, but it's not over! Veijer makes a mistake and it's the end for him! And David Alonso, the brilliant Colombian, wins this race ahead Taiyo Furusato et Collin Veijer after an incredible overtake in turn 4!
🏁 # Moto3 RACE
DAVID ALONSO WINS A BELTING BATTLE IN BURIRAM! 🔥🔥🔥#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/Kp89aZ9HQI
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) October 29, 2023
In fact, with a fourth victory in 2023, David Alonso also wins the coveted Rookie of the Year title: Collin Veijer won't be able to catch up with him, just like Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Garlic). What an incredible season from driver Aspar!
Moto3 Thailand Grand Prix 2023 Results:
Credit rankings: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: GasGas Moto3