Qualifying, Sepang: Almansa sets fastest time in Moto3, Rammerstorfer in Q1

Shortly after 1.00 pm local time, the Moto3 riders set off for the crucial 35-minute qualifying session. The issue of ‘weather’ – which is always a factor, particularly in the tropics – did not cause the youngsters any headaches. With a dry-and-humid air temperature of 34 degrees, there was no risk of rain.

The hope of the already numerous fans in attendance: Hakim Danish. For the spectators, the question was whether the Malaysian rookie could manage to outdo the Spanish Moto3 elite – Quiles, Carpe, Uriarte and Almansa. Honda rider Veda-Pratama also had high hopes of shining in the tropical heat. The Austrian Leo Rammerstorfer was racing at Sepang for the first time. The SIC58 youngster finished 24th in his first outing in FP1.

Held der Malaysier: Hakim Danish (4.)

Foto: Gold and Goose

Ten minutes into the crucial session, which determines whether the top 14 qualify directly for the second qualifying session, Adrian Fernandez had set the first fastest time. However, with an average lap time of 2:11, the Leopard-Honda rider was still two seconds off the lap record he had previously set (2:09.542 mins).

Four more young racers from Spain followed: Alvaro Carpe, David Munoz, Champion Quiles and David Almansa. Pratama and Danish were in 11th and 12th place respectively after the first quarter of an hour. Leo Rammerstorfer was initially right at the back, 2.5 seconds off the pace. A distinctive feature of Sepang is the length of the circuit and the average lap time. With each lap taking well over two minutes, every lap must be precisely planned and executed.

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MotoGP World Championship

31.10.2026 - 01:35

KTM-Ajo rookie Brian Uriarte made for an exciting race. The rising star, who had already won two GP races in 2026, was still in 17th place with 12 minutes to go before the chequered flag. By contrast, his team-mates Carpe in 2nd, Salmela in 6th and Perrone in 8th seemed to have secured their places in Q2.

As the final 10 minutes – or four flying laps – began, Uriarte secured his place in Q2. With a time of 2:11.8, he moved up to fourth. Almost simultaneously, Hakim Danish had the fans cheering with the fastest time. However, Intact GP ace David Almansa shaved another tenth off the fastest time to 2:11.417 minutes. Meanwhile, the Aspar rider and Moto3 dominator held sixth place behind David Muñoz.

In typical Moto3 fashion, the standings were shaken up considerably in the final lap. Honda prospect Pratama moved into second place behind Almansa and ahead of Danish. MTA rider Matteo Bertelle jumped to fifth place behind Fernandez, who had led for much of the race. Finnish rider Rico Salmela put in a strong lap. Without a slipstream, the Tech3 rookie managed to overtake Pratama to take second place. Only David Almansa managed to defend his 0.069-second lead right up to the chequered flag.

Platz 2 und 3 im Sepang-Zeittraining: Salmela (KTM) und Pratama (Honda)

Foto: Gold and Goose

Disappointment for Maximo Quiles. He could manage no better than 11th place on Friday. Whilst Britain’s Scott Ogden scraped through to Q2 in 14th, Leo Rammerstorfer must go into Q1 after finishing 24th.