Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Brad Binder ended the first day of track action from the Sepang International Circuit fastest of all by virtue of his time from free practice one, whilst Aspar Mahindra’s Pecco Bagnaia topped the wet second session.
It was a day of contrasting weather for the Moto3 riders. This morning’s FP1 started off damp following overnight rain but quickly transitioned to dry conditions, allowing the riders to really test the modified Malaysian circuit.
World Champion Binder was fastest by quite some margin in FP1, posting a 2m15.520s to go eight tenths of a second clear of second-placed Khairul Idham Pawi, the Malaysian carrying the expectation of a nation on his shoulders this weekend. Bagnaia completed the top three in FP1 and topped the wet FP2, proving the Italian will be a threat whatever the weather come Sunday.
Platinum Bay Real Estate Mahindra rider Marco Ramirez heads into qualifying fourth fastest overall after a strong session this morning, the Spaniard just two thousandths of a second clear of fifth-placed Livio Loi. Aron Canet, Jorge Martin, Joan Mir, Jorge Navarro and Fabio Quartararo complete the top 10 on combined times.
In the afternoon session, Navarro was second quickest despite a late crash at Turn 2. The Spaniard wasn’t the only faller, with Andrea Migno, Niccolo Antonelli and Peugeot Saxoprint stand-in rider Hafiq Azmi all taking tumbles.
Reigning Red Bull Rookies Cup Champion Ayumu Sasaki made his Grand Prix debut this morning. The Japanese rider has been drafted in this weekend to replace Enea Bastianini at Gresini, the Italian forced to sit out the Malaysian Grand Prix after suffering fractures to his ribs and vertebra in a crash at Phillip Island. Sasaki is familiar with Sepang, having raced here in the Asia Talent Cup, and ended the day 22nd overall.
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