2′
08:05
Change of leadership
Alex Márquez already seems to be driving at the limit. Márquez brakes late again and has to fight to keep his Ducati upright. He puts pressure on Bagnaia and not only that. The vice world champion brakes past Bagnaia at the beginning of lap two and takes the lead.
1′
08:03
Let’s go!
The traffic lights go out and the start has taken place! Who comes off best? Once again it is Francesco Bagnaia who wins the start. As the first lap progresses, Alex Márquez hits the brakes late and passes Acosta on the inside. Fabio Quartararo fights his way through the fray and maintains fourth place.
08:00
Warm up lap
The total of 23 drivers embark on the warm-up lap. This weekend the starting field has grown by one rider, as Augusto Fernandez is testing the Yamaha’s V4 engine for its heat resistance. But he is starting with a wildcard. Pol Espargaro, Lorenzo Savadori and Michele Pirro replace the injured Vinales, Martin and Marc Márquez.
07:51
Extreme conditions
The temperatures are higher than ever this weekend with 34 degrees air temperature and 55 degrees on the asphalt. The sun is shining and continues to heat up the asphalt. When it comes to tires, drivers rely on the soft compound at the rear. The drivers disagree on the front wheel. Many people there also rely on the soft tires, but the medium is also popular. For example, Bagnaia, Morbidelli, Rins and Raul Fernandez are in the tire list with the medium. There could also be changes to the starting lineup.
07:43
The starting lineup
Francesco Bagnaia continues to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. After seemingly nothing worked at all last weekend, Bagnaia takes pole position at the Sepang International Circuit. And not only that. The Italian was also unbeatable in the sprint race. Next to him in row one are Alex Márquez and Franco Morbidelli. Behind them, Fabio Quartararo, Pedro Acosta and Fermin Aldeguer are waiting for their chance. The latter was crowned Rookie of the Year yesterday.
07:36
Márquez brothers make history
Even in the absence of world champion Marc Márquez, the two brothers continue to make history. With second place in the sprint race, Alex Márquez made it clear that he was runner-up in the world championship. For the first time, two brothers are at the top at the end of a season.
07:33
Serious accident brings new schedule
Although the MotoGP race is taking place as planned, there are still changes to the schedule. The Moto3 race started one hour and 40 minutes late. It was shortened to 10 rounds. The Moto2 race has been postponed and will only take place at 9:30 a.m., after MotoGP. What had happened? On the inspection lap, the newly crowned Moto3 world champion Jose Antonio Rueda drove into the rear of the Swiss Noah Dettwiler, who was traveling slowly in front of him. It seemed like a brief moment of inattention on Rueda’s part. Both drivers had to receive first aid on the route and are now in hospital. There is a slight all-clear. Both drivers are said to be conscious. There is no further information yet.
07:24
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to the Malaysian Grand Prix. It should start at 8 a.m. German time. The premier class race is scheduled for 20 laps.