Malaysia MotoGP FP1: Marc Marquez leads as Martin completes 12 laps

Friday running at the Malaysian MotoGP began at Sepang on October 30. Marc Marquez led FP1 with a 1:58.912, the session’s only lap in the 1:58s. Marco Bezzecchi and Pedro Acosta both set 1:59.386 and were classified second and third respectively, 0.474 seconds behind the leader.

Three KTMs in the top five, with different running programmes to consider

Enea Bastianini and Brad Binder finished fourth and fifth, putting three KTMs in the top five. Franco Morbidelli was sixth and Alex Marquez seventh; all seven riders were within a second of the fastest time. Johann Zarco, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Diogo Moreira completed the top ten. These positions reflect each rider’s best valid lap in the session, rather than establishing their long-run race performance.

The session was dry, with the official timing sheet recording an air temperature of 30°C and track temperature of 37°C. The leader set his best time on his third lap, while other riders’ quickest laps came at different stages. Their programmes were not identical: the order shows who produced the faster lap in this session, but cannot by itself explain every difference in underlying performance.

Different medical outcomes for Martin and Raul Fernandez

Jorge Martin completed 12 laps while riding with an injury, finishing 20th in 2:00.747, 1.835 seconds off the fastest time. Aprilia Team Manager Paolo Bonora told MotoGP that Martin had expected to feel worse, with the FP1 programme focused on managing his workload. MotoGP subsequently confirmed that he passed a further medical assessment and was cleared to continue in Malaysia. Permission to compete and the load his body can tolerate remain separate questions.

Raul Fernandez completed five laps and was 17th in 2:00.581, but was declared unfit after a further assessment around the opening session and will miss the remainder of the event. He injured his fingers in Indonesia and also withdrew in Australia during his recovery. Martin was cleared to continue, while Fernandez needs further treatment.

FP1 does not determine direct entry into the second qualifying session, Q2; those places are decided by Friday afternoon’s Practice. The early order is therefore an initial reference point for the weekend. Martin completing 12 laps was a concrete step, but it did not guarantee his subsequent workload, qualifying pace or ability to complete the weekend.

Full FP1 classification

Source: official MotoGP timing; the original sheet marks results provisional until the protest and appeal deadline. © MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, 2026