Here we go for the thirtieth Malaysian Grand Prix in history, on a Sepang track which followed in 1999 those of Shah Alam first and then Johor. This penultimate meeting of the season is eagerly awaited because its conclusion could reveal not only the MotoGP World Champion of the year, but also that of Moto2, which we had somewhat forgotten...
Indeed, if, so that Pecco Bagnaia wins at Sepang this Sunday in MotoGP, a certain number of combinations and variables are needed, in Moto2, the situation is clearer. Indeed, Ai Ogura will be titled in Moto2 if he wins the race andAugusto Fernandez does not do better than 13th… Otherwise, in the premier category, Aleix Espargaró will experience his 300th Grand Prix start, which places him sixth in this accounting in history.
Raul fernandez will also celebrate its 22nd birthday this Sunday, but in terms of results in Malaysia, Honda took six victories at Sepang in MotoGP, including four consecutive from 2012 to 2015, with Dani Pedrosa (2012, 2013, 2015) and Marc Marquez (2014). Honda's most recent victory was in Marc Marquez in 2018, after qualifying on pole, although he received a grid penalty and started seventh.
Yamaha also took six MotoGP victories at Sepang, four with Valentino Rossi (2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010), one with Max Biaggi (2002) and one with Maverick Vinales (2019) Ducati has won five victories in MotoGP at Sepang with three riders: Loris Capirossi (2005), Casey Stoner (2007 and 2009) and Andrea Dovizioso in 2016 and 2017. The same Dovizioso was the best Ducati rider in 2019 with a third place.
In Malaysia, Yamaha has more victories than Ducati
The best result of Suzuki at Sepang in MotoGP is second place with alex rins in 2018. However, Kenny Roberts Jr. won the 500cc race at Sepang in 1999 and 2000. The best result ofAprilia in MotoGP at Sepang is seventh with Alvaro Bautista in 2016. In 2019, Aleix Espargaro was the best Aprilia rider at Sepang with a 13th place.
In 2017, Pol Espargaro crossed the line in 10th position at Sepang, which is the best result of KTM on this circuit in the premier category. In the last six MotoGP races at Sepang, a rider qualifying in the top three has gone on to win the race. Dani Pedrosa in 2013 is the last rider to win the MotoGP race at Sepang after qualifying off the front row, in fifth place. Marc Marquez qualified on pole position in 2018, but had to start from the second row.
These presentations made, what will this first day of the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang, the penultimate round of this season, have in store for us? MotoGP ? To make sure you don't miss anything from the event, here is the program for this Friday.
Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix: timetable
Friday October 21:
03:00 – 04:40: Moto3 FP1
03:55 – 04:35: Moto2 FP1
04:50 p.m. – 05:35 p.m.: MotoGP FP1
07:15 – 07:55: Moto3 FP2
08:10 – 08:50: Moto2 FP2
09:05 p.m. – 09:50 p.m.: MotoGP FP2
Saturday October 22:
03:00 – 03:40: Moto3 FP3
03:55 – 03:35: Moto2 FP3
04:50 p.m. – 05:35 p.m.: MotoGP FP3
06:35 – 07:15: Moto3 Qualifying
07:30 – 08:10: Moto2 Qualifying
08:25 p.m. – 08:55 p.m.: MotoGP FP4
09:05 – 09:20: MotoGP Q1
09:30 – 09:45: MotoGP Q2
Sunday October 23:
04:00 – 04:10: Moto3 Warm Up
04:20 – 04:30: Moto2 Warm Up
04:40 – 05:00: MotoGP Warm Up
06:00: Moto3 Race (27 laps)
07:20: Moto2 Race (18 laps)
09:00 a.m.: MotoGP Race (20 laps)
Bagnaia is world champion at Sepang if:
– He wins the race and Quartararo does not get on the podium, regardless of Aleix Espargaró's position
– He is 2nd, Quartararo 7th or less, Aleix Espargaró 3rd or less
– He is 3nd, Quartararo 11th or less, Aleix Espargaró 4rd or less
– He is 4th, Quartararo 14th or worse, Aleix Espargaró 5th or worse
– He is 5th, Quartararo out of the points and Aleix Espargaró 4th or worse
