Malaysia MotoGP Practice: Marquez brothers lead as Bagnaia faces Q1

Marc Marquez recovered from an early crash to lead Malaysian MotoGP Practice on the afternoon of October 30 with a 1:57.000. Alex Marquez was second, 0.109 seconds behind, and Ai Ogura third at 0.167 seconds. The top ten secured direct entry into Saturday’s second qualifying session, Q2. Johann Zarco, Francesco Bagnaia and the injured Jorge Martin must begin in Q1.

Late improvements reshape the order as three KTMs reach Q2

Marc Marquez returned to the track after falling at Turn 15 and moved to the top with around a quarter of an hour remaining. Ogura subsequently improved to third, with Pedro Acosta and Fabio Di Giannantonio fourth and fifth. Marco Bezzecchi took sixth, followed by Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales, giving KTM three bikes in the top ten. Franco Morbidelli and the returning Joan Mir took the final two direct places.

Zarco and Bagnaia both crashed late in the session and finished 11th and 12th. Measured against tenth-placed Mir’s 1:57.618, Zarco missed the cut by 0.187 seconds and Bagnaia by 0.189 seconds, with just 0.002 seconds separating them. They have not lost the opportunity to secure strong grid positions, but must first negotiate an additional qualifying stage.

Martin stops after three laps to prioritise recovery

Martin was cleared to continue after a further medical assessment in the morning, but completed only three laps in the afternoon. His best time of 1:59.670 placed him 21st. Following consultation between Aprilia and MotoGP Medical Director Dr Angel Charte, he ended his running to concentrate on recovery for Saturday. He remains cleared to compete; this decision concerned his afternoon workload.

The decision also carries a sporting consequence: Martin did not make the top ten and must try to progress from Q1. MotoGP’s report said he planned to return in Saturday’s FP2 to assess his condition. His actual participation and any further medical updates should guide the next judgment; clearance alone does not guarantee his Sprint or Grand Prix performance.

Saturday’s premier-class FP2 is scheduled for 02:10 UTC, followed by Q1 at 02:50 UTC and Q2 at 03:15 UTC. The Sprint is scheduled for 07:00 UTC. Sepang local time is UTC+8, the same as Beijing. Friday’s Practice determines the qualifying route, rather than grid positions themselves; the starting order remains subject to Saturday’s qualifying and any applicable decisions.

Full Practice classification

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