The ultimate day of the Sepang Official MotoGP Check introduced a correct sense of closure to pre-season work in Malaysia, with Thursday’s operating revolving round Dash-length simulations, longer stints on used tyres and late time assaults as groups locked of their route forward of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship opener.
After rain interrupted Day 2 and Yamaha elected to sit down out a full day to analyze an early check engine challenge, the paddock arrived on Thursday with two priorities. Collect the ultimate knowledge wanted to make element decisions for Buriram and the opening spherical, and depart Sepang with a workable baseline quite than chasing a flattering headline time.
Ducati: Alex Marquez seems essentially the most “race prepared”
Over Dash Race simulations, Alex Marquez regarded essentially the most settled and essentially the most in management at a circuit that has all the time suited him. His 10-lap Dash trial stood out for each tempo and repeatability, averaging 1m58.027, which was the quickest Dash simulation reported throughout the day’s work. The overriding impression was not merely velocity, however calm. He regarded like a rider with a transparent understanding of what he needs from the bike, and the occasions mirrored that.
Alex Marquez
“It’s all the time good to complete the exams with the quickest time. The sensation is constructive, and we additionally did some good issues within the dash simulation. We tried quite a bit and labored properly, but it surely’s nonetheless only a check. The necessary factor was to complete these three days in good bodily form, and we managed to try this. Now we’ll have the Buriram exams to strive different options and fine-tune all the pieces forward of the beginning of the Championship.”
Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia weren’t far behind of their Dash simulation work, however at Sepang, Alex Marquez appeared to have the sting.
Marc Márquez
“I’m completely happy to be again on observe. That is an important feeling. We’ve tried plenty of new supplies, however the concepts are fairly clear for Thailand. The trail appears proper, and now I additionally must make a step ahead bodily. It’s been a protracted day; yesterday it rained, and immediately the workload was important. We’re fairly assured in our aerodynamic decisions, however we have to analyze the information. The simulation went properly: I maintained the tempo, and the sensation within the closing laps was actually good”.
Francesco Bagnaia
“I’m very pleased with this check; I had an excellent feeling. We labored quite a bit on aerodynamics, and we’ve already made some kind of definitive choices. We’re testing, and it’s the primary one of many season, so the extra laps we do, the quicker we go. The simulation went properly; there’s much more grip than within the race, and the tires additionally dropped much less. Final yr, I used to be very aggressive within the time assault right here, however I struggled in the long term. In a check, it’s way more necessary to work on consistency for the season. I pushed and rode as I wished”.
Additionally having an fringe of the Manufacturing facility pairing this week was VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio, who regarded extraordinarily sharp. The 27-year-old used the ultimate day to proceed a dense check plan, handled a short interruption from mild rain, then returned for a late-time assault to complete third general throughout the three days on a 1m56.785. His personal suggestions recommended his finest check but in MotoGP, and that Ducati’s new gadgets have landed within the route he wished. He additionally famous that selecting between two aero specs shouldn’t be easy off one observe and one situation, so Buriram will likely be key for affirmation.
Fabio Di Giannantonio
“I’m actually completely happy, I feel we did an incredible check, my finest thus far in MotoGP. We have been very consisent and we had with a strong tempo, I labored very exhausting throughout the winter to make it like this, additionally bodily I really feel excellent. General, the sensation has all the time been excellent, I may enhance quite a bit my finest laptime right here in Sepang, so it’s a giant step and it was an incredible day. I’m very completely happy each with the bike and with the factor Ducati introduced. I attempted two aerodynamic specs, making the identical laptime with the identical quantity of laps and with the identical tyres on each, so it’s tougher to resolve now, we must check them once more in Buriram. We’d like plenty of time at residence to research all the pieces. However it was fascinating additionally to grasp my wants. We labored on the bike to enhance a bit of bit the entrance, however the job made at residence was sufficient already. We now have plenty of data and knowledge for the engineers, so I feel that we are going to arrive prepared for the final check in Thailand, the place the objective is to substantiate the issues we tried right here in Sepang.”
Franco Morbidelli ended the check seventh general after a Flip 14 crash on the ultimate morning briefly interrupted his programme. He returned for a time assault and left Sepang centered on discovering extra rear grip and refining electronics and set-up element.
Franco Morbidelli
“We had constructive three days of working, we’ve been testing many issues and options. I’ve been adapting to the brand new package deal step-by-step. I missed a bit of bit within the time assault, I may have performed a bit higher, however I made a mistake. General, it was an excellent check. I like the brand new bike, even when we nonetheless have to do some step ahead. Within the subsequent check in Buriram, we’ll attempt to enhance the rear grip: we’ve been engaged on that in this check in Sepang, we improved rather a lot, however we nonetheless want some enhancements. We are going to chase that, and we’ll work extra on refinings and particulars, akin to electronics, small issues on the setup to reach ready to the race in Thailand.”
Ducati’s depth was evident within the closing mixed order, with 5 Ducatis within the high seven by the top of the three days, and that power was not confined to single-lap velocity. Their work throughout the dash distance and repeatability regarded organised and purposeful. General, they nonetheless look like the benchmark for translating energy into clean ahead propulsion.
One notable absentee from the Ducati roll name was Fermin Aldeguer, the 20-year-old Spaniard lacking the check totally whereas recovering from surgical procedure after breaking his left femur in a coaching accident earlier within the yr.
Aprilia: Bezzecchi the standout, and that issues at Sepang
If there was a transparent “winner” for Aprilia throughout your entire Sepang week, it was Marco Bezzecchi.
He completed the check second general, posted the second-fastest time outright, and backed it up with a long term on used tyres that recommended he’s already in a robust place with the RS-GP and able to hit the bottom operating in 2026. That long-run high quality is the half that ought to catch consideration, as a result of it’s tougher to pretend than a single soft-tyre lap.
It’s also price underlining the circuit context. Sepang has not historically been a venue that flatters the Noale machine, so for Aprilia to go away Malaysia with Bezzecchi close to the highest and exhibiting tyre-life consistency is an especially constructive sign concerning the base package deal.
Aprilia’s work once more included seen aero experimentation across the seat unit and swingarm analysis. Even with out Jorge Martin, the manufacturing facility left Sepang buoyed by the route they discovered.
Martin, nonetheless, stays a significant story within the background. He missed the Sepang Check utterly by way of harm, once more, leaving Aprilia brief one full-time reference rider and placing much more emphasis on Bezzecchi’s suggestions and output early within the season.
At Trackhouse, Raul Fernandez and Ai Ogura produced respectable turns of velocity at occasions. Fernandez, particularly, was way more aggressive than throughout his earlier struggles at Sepang testing. However throughout the three days, neither rider delivered the consistency Bezzecchi confirmed, particularly when the stints lengthened and tyres aged.
KTM: Acosta and Viñales carefully matched, Binder nonetheless chasing the final piece
KTM depart Sepang with a well-known headline and a barely extra nuanced actuality beneath it.
On mixed occasions, Pedro Acosta and Maverick Viñales have been separated by simply 0.010s, ending eighth and ninth respectively, which tells you ways shut the efficiency stage between the 2 KTM camps was throughout the three days. Each riders spoke positively concerning the general route, with Viñales suggesting that after exploring a number of routes, the primary set-up he tried remains to be the one he would fortunately roll out with.
Acosta’s most significant work was his longer operating. He put in a robust long term on Thursday and described the check as much less a couple of time trial and extra about arriving in Thailand with a transparent image of which items he needs for the opening spherical. The lap time, regardless of that method, was nonetheless aggressive. That stated, the younger Spaniard all the time needs extra and gave the check a rating of 6 out of 10 general.
Enea Bastianini completed the check shut behind, persevering with to construct consolation with the RC16 and talking positively concerning the step-by-step enchancment over the three days.
Brad Binder, although, stays the query mark inside KTM’s image. He acknowledged progress and elevated consolation, however he nonetheless seems to be lacking that little additional he has been looking for. Binder himself recommended he didn’t full a full push lap, and his suggestions indicated he wanted to work on turn-in to translate consolation into the subsequent layer of velocity.
Pedro Acosta
“I used to be making chassis exams on day one, then utilizing the 2025 bike yesterday after which we labored with each immediately and we didn’t actually have the goal for a quick lap-time. Although we have been attempting plenty of issues and probably not understanding the bike the lap-time was fairly good I’d say. I wished a transparent picture in my head of what items we want now for Thailand after which finishing the package deal, and I’m fairly completely happy for this. I need to create pure velocity now in Thailand as a result of right here I wished to spend extra time on observe.”
Maverick Viñales
“This has been a constructive check for me. On the primary day, I used to be actually pleased with the bike, and you could possibly see from the sturdy lap-times that day that I used to be snug. We then construct on this, by working by way of your entire check programme the remainder of the times, taking a look at set-up adjustments and totally different gadgets. I really feel constructive heading into the beginning of the season with this bike. There are nonetheless plenty of areas for us to discover, however we’ll spend the subsequent week taking a look at the most effective plan heading into the Thailand check. One other necessary factor for me is that I’ve assessed my bodily health at this occasion, I’m feeling actually good on the bike and now looking forward to the beginning of the season.”
Enea Bastianini
“We’ve accomplished quite a bit over the past three days and I’m pleased with the outcomes. We did plenty of work over the winter on the bike, notably within the wind tunnel, and you’ll see the constructive adjustments out on observe. I feel we’ve improved in each space, and I really feel snug on the bike. I’ve spent plenty of time with my new Crew Chief, Andreas Madrid, this week and I really feel actually assured heading into the 2026 season with him. In fact, that is simply the primary check, so we need to analyse what we’ve labored on right here after which strive some extra issues in Thailand so we are able to proceed to enhance.”
Brad Binder
“We now have slowly put collectively all of the components we’ve tried lately and I really feel quite a bit higher. I used to be not capable of put in a super-fast lap-time by any means however I felt extra snug on the bike and the occasions have been coming simpler. I’m pleased with the work we’ve performed and I feel the consolation will flip into extra velocity on the subsequent check. I feel we are able to use a bit of extra turning, and this can then take us a great distance. I’ve a a lot better concept of what I’ve beneath me.”
Aki Ajo, Crimson Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing Group Supervisor
“We’ve had some lengthy productive days right here at Sepang each with the racing groups and the check riders. The foundations for the championship now imply that it is extremely robust for anyone to make massive steps with the technical platform however I’m very pleased with the steps we did make right here. We now have adjustments coming on a regular basis and we may simply see that coming by way of the second half of 2025, the previous couple of races after which the final couple of months. Our preparation has been busy and there was plenty of data from the laps right here in Malaysia, particularly for our aero package deal. It’s one thing we have to finalize quickly. Chassis-wise we additionally had many various issues. Onto Thailand now and we’ll measure all the pieces within the races lastly!”
Sebastian Risse – KTM Technical Director MotoGP
“We completed a protracted and intense testing part right here that began with the non-public Shakedown and moved into the IRTA check. Placing all of it collectively, I feel we did an excellent job with the groups and the riders to grasp all the pieces that we have to perceive at this second of the season. We have been capable of make all our choices for the primary race and we must see on the observe the place this can place us. I feel it’s already clear that we made a step ahead however in MotoGP the competitors is so dynamic and all people is shifting. We’re wanting ahead to placing our playing cards on the desk in Thailand.”
Nicolas Goyon – Crimson Bull KTM Tech3 Group Supervisor
“I’m happy to say that we’re leaving the Sepang check with a constructive feeling, with most of our check plan accomplished and we’re completely happy. A key factor on Maverick’s aspect was to verify his shoulder situation on a MotoGP bike. We now have clearly seen throughout the three days that he’s again to full power, which is actually constructive. Alongside this, one of many key aims for him at this check was to verify the 2026 components. We noticed that he was very fast immediately with the usual bike after which step-by-step we carried out every new half for this season. There are some areas that we nonetheless have to work on, however general, we are able to already see that this package deal is a bit faster and he’s ended the check in P9. We all know it’s only a check, however to see Maverick again within the high 10 is an actual constructive for us. For Enea, one of many most important targets was to construct some confidence together with his new Crew Chief, Andreas, and this has very clearly been performed. They’ve labored exhausting over the past three days, finishing over 120 laps and dealing by way of your entire programme. We’ve made some changes to his place on the bike and he’s now feeling actually snug and in management – which was one other key intention for us this week. We’re happy that we are able to stroll away from this week with one other merchandise crossed off our record. He finishes the check in P11, which is already massive step ahead in comparison with final yr. I need to thank the entire crew for his or her exhausting work throughout these three intensive days and now we should look ahead to the subsequent check in two weeks in Thailand, forward of the beginning of the season.”
Honda: Mir the reference, then long-run give attention to Thursday
For Honda, the Sepang check was outlined by Joan Mir’s Day 2 lap, a 1m56.874 that in the end left him fifth general throughout the three days. That point stays probably the most important single-lap indicators of your entire Sepang week, not simply because it was quick, however as a result of it got here as a part of an general sample of Honda being extra aggressive in a number of phases of the lap. Nonetheless, we should contemplate that Honda already had loads of laps beneath their belt throughout the shakedown earlier than the total check started, so they might hit the bottom operating this week with many extra miles already beneath their belts.
On Thursday, Mir’s focus shifted away from time assault and towards longer-run tempo. He indicated that his tempo on a run barely longer than Dash distance was “fairly good,” whereas additionally noting that others made strides too, so Honda can’t loosen up.
Joan Mir
“At this time we have been capable of do an extended run, a bit greater than a Dash Race distance. Our tempo was fairly good, however immediately we noticed the opposite riders make a step as properly, so we have to stay centered and maintain working. We’ve made a step over final yr, however everybody else has been working exhausting as properly. The place shouldn’t be tremendous necessary immediately, we needed to adapt our plan and reduce out our time assault, so it was not as spectacular as yesterday. If tomorrow was a race, we could be there within the high 5.”
Luca Marini and Johann Zarco have been successfully inseparable by way of efficiency and route, each offering constructive suggestions on the evolving RC213V package deal. Honda acknowledged that decrease grip situations after Wednesday’s rain launched further points on the ultimate day, however the tone remained upbeat, with beneficial properties additionally famous on the engine aspect, which should be homologated for the season.
Luca Marini
“We improved the bike with one other step immediately, a satisfying finish to the three days however like all the time – everybody else has made a step. The scenario is much like the GP final yr by way of the hole, so we’ve to work properly in Thailand in a number of weeks. We may have a few new issues in Thailand as properly, so there’s nonetheless loads to do earlier than the primary race. It’s simply the primary check and persons are all the time taking part in a bit, so we’ll wait to see what occurs on the first race. Wanting ahead to it. Due to the crew for his or her exhausting work of the winter and this check.”
Johann Zarco
“I completed this Sepang check on a constructive be aware. We had an intense afternoon immediately; we rode continuous, and the sensation was good. General, I struggled in the beginning of the check, however we managed to resolve the problems and end in a great way. Since yesterday, we’ve been extra constant, and that’s necessary. We struggled a bit with tyre drop, but it surely was the identical for everybody. The bike has improved, and now we’re simply looking for the correct steadiness. Let’s maintain working like this.”
Diogo Moreira continues to seem like a rookie who’s studying shortly. Over the three days, he logged heavy mileage, spoke positively about his progress and his choice to choose a base setup, and highlighted braking as an space the place he feels inspired. He regarded extra snug because the check went on, which is strictly what Honda LCR wanted to see.
Diogo Moreira
“I’m completely happy however exhausted, lately have been intense! I’ve understood many issues, we’ve performed many laps, and the progress has been constructive. My feeling on the bike improved day-to-day, and particularly immediately, I felt good using it. I imagine we’ve discovered our base setup, and that is nice. I nonetheless have to do extra hours on the bike and enhance, however all the pieces will come. We’re completely happy and motivated!”
Within the “high rookie” dialog, Yamaha signing Toprak Razgatlioglu pipped Moreira by simply over a tenth on mixed tempo, a decent margin that displays two very totally different adaptation tales occurring without delay.
Yamaha: again on observe, however nonetheless with out Quartararo
Yamaha’s closing day was about salvaging worth after shedding Day 2 totally.
Following in a single day investigations in Japan and Italy into the technical challenge encountered early within the check, Yamaha decided it was secure to return to motion on Thursday. The V4-powered YZR-M1s went again out, permitting the manufacturing facility and Pramac squads to finish key analysis gadgets and depart with a minimum of a coherent plan for Buriram.
Lacking, after all, was Yamaha’s lead rider Fabio Quartararo, nonetheless sidelined after breaking a finger in his Day 1 crash. His absence mattered, not solely as a result of he’s Yamaha’s sharpest efficiency reference, however as a result of it is a brand-new engine structure and Yamaha wants its most delicate rider offering suggestions as early and as typically as doable.
Even so, Yamaha did a minimum of end the check with mileage and route.
Alex Rins led the way in which for Yamaha, setting a 1m57.580 on Thursday morning and ending 14th on the mixed classification throughout the three days. Yamaha described the check as productive by way of deciding on main gadgets (chassis, rear arm, aero) for Buriram, whereas acknowledging that the misplaced day meant they didn’t have time to correctly fine-tune set-ups.
Maybe an important Yamaha element on Thursday, although, was Toprak Razgatlioglu’s observe time. The rookie logged 36 extra laps on the ultimate day, which is critical as a result of his MotoGP adaptation remains to be on the steep finish of the curve. He wants quantity. He wants repetition. He wants time to discover ways to carry velocity, handle Michelin behaviour, and regulate his braking and corner-entry habits from WorldSBK to MotoGP. Razgatlioglu described the training curve as steep however constructive, noting that following Jack Miller helped him perceive approaches to corners that stay difficult for him.
Pramac’s general tone echoed that actuality: troublesome situations, exhausting work, incremental beneficial properties, and the acknowledgement that high velocity stays a weak spot Yamaha is already chasing. One clear constructive was Jack Miller’s long-run simulation. The first detrimental stays a definite top-speed drawback that’s costing riders straightforward tenths on the straights.
Massimo Meregalli – Monster Power Yamaha MotoGP Group Director
“It has been a productive check. We now have been capable of consider many of the gadgets that we had scheduled to strive right here. We selected the primary subjects for this check, like chassis, rear arm, and aerodynamics, with which we’ll begin the Buriram Check – and this was the precedence. Although we have been compelled to briefly halt the check attributable to a technical challenge that occurred on Day 1, we have been capable of perceive the trigger and will end immediately‘s check due to the massive effort of the engineers right here in Malaysia in addition to in Japan and Italy. What we didn‘t have time for was fine-tuning the set-ups, which we’ll, after all, transfer to the Buriram Check.”
Alex Rins
“We now have been capable of check all of the gadgets that we needed to strive right here in Sepang throughout the Shakedown Check and the IRTA Check and made a collection of gadgets we like for Buriram. Sadly, due to a technical challenge and security precaution, we couldn’t journey yesterday, shedding a while on observe. Fortunately, immediately we have been capable of journey once more, and we accomplished our plans. We are going to work extra on settings in Buriram.”
Gino Borsoi – Prima Pramac Yamaha Group Director
“Throughout the Shakedown, to be sincere, issues went fairly properly and we accomplished all of the work we had deliberate. The three days right here weren’t straightforward — particularly for Toprak — with the situations and the excessive temperatures in Malaysia, however they each managed the workload properly and we introduced residence necessary data. Going into the Official Check, we actually anticipated to do some higher. Within the two days we have been out on the observe, we have been capable of run and proceed evaluating the fabric Yamaha offered. Our objective was to not chase lap time, however to construct stability in efficiency. On the ultimate day we discovered some enhancements and, from a chassis standpoint, the bike is kind of aggressive and works very properly. It‘s clear that we’re nonetheless lacking some high velocity, however Yamaha is already engaged on this, so we‘re not involved.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu
“It‘s nonetheless troublesome for me and the training curve is steep, however the suggestions we‘re getting is constructive and we‘re making progress. I‘m attempting to grasp the place I want to enhance and likewise how a lot I have to adapt my using fashion to this bike. Jack helped me quite a bit immediately — I adopted him for a number of laps to grasp the best way to method some corners which can be nonetheless difficult for me. I hoped to get into the 1‘57s and although I felt quick, the lap time didn‘t come but. However I‘m pushing each day to be taught and enhance, and I‘m already wanting ahead to persevering with this work on the subsequent check in Buriram.”
Jack Miller
“It wasn‘t a simple day, however this stuff are a part of the method. When you count on all the pieces to run easily, you‘re being naïve — we‘re pushing essentially the most high-performance machines on the planet to their limits. Generally you’ll want to pause, reassess what‘s wanted after which get again to work. In fact, I’d have preferred a bit extra from this check, however I actually imagine the bike nonetheless has loads of potential. The previous few days have been busy, with plenty of components happening and off the bike, and the secret is not simply attempting issues, however correctly analysing what works, what doesn‘t and the place you’ll find a compromise for the long run.”
What Sepang has advised us earlier than Buriram
Sepang not often arms out closing solutions, but it surely does reveal patterns.
Ducati look essentially the most full throughout the Dash distance and repeatability, with Alex Marquez particularly “race prepared,” whereas Di Giannantonio has emerged as a real spearhead contained in the Ducati ecosystem after, like Bagnaia, fighting the GP25 at occasions final season.
Aprilia, by way of Bezzecchi, has produced a efficiency that ought to fear rivals, notably since Sepang has not traditionally suited the RS-GP.
KTM look shut with Acosta and Viñales, and everyone knows how sturdy Bastianini could be late in races, however Binder nonetheless appears to be trying to find that closing ingredient.
Honda has a strong reference in Mir and seems to have carried momentum ahead, even when the final-day grip situations difficult issues.
Yamaha bought again on observe, however the mixture of shedding a full day, operating with out Quartararo, and needing to speed up a rookie’s studying curve means Buriram turns into completely vital.
Subsequent cease is the Buriram Check, after which the season begins for actual. Sepang has set the tone. The job now could be changing that check work into factors.
Sepang Check Day Three Occasions
| Closing Day Occasions | |||||
 |
|||||
|
Pos |
Rider |
Bike |
FP5 |
FP6 |
Hole |
|
1 |
A. Marquez |
Duc |
1m56.402 |
1m57.295 |
— |
|
2 |
M. Bezzecchi |
Apr |
1m57.026 |
1m56.526 |
+0.124 |
|
3 |
F. Di Giannantonio |
Duc |
1m56.785 |
1m57.093 |
+0.383 |
|
4 |
M. Marquez |
Duc |
1m56.789 |
1m57.602 |
+0.387 |
|
5 |
F. Bagnaia |
Duc |
1m56.929 |
1m57.726 |
+0.527 |
|
6 |
F. Morbidelli |
Duc |
1m57.130 |
1m57.945 |
+0.728 |
|
7 |
R. Fernandez |
Apr |
1m57.245 |
1m57.612 |
+0.843 |
|
8 |
P. Acosta |
KTM |
1m57.253 |
1m57.661 |
+0.851 |
|
9 |
J. Mir |
Hon |
1m57.268 |
1m58.297 |
+0.866 |
|
10 |
E. Bastianini |
KTM |
1m57.290 |
1m57.440 |
+0.888 |
|
11 |
A. Ogura |
Apr |
1m57.540 |
1m57.326 |
+0.924 |
|
12 |
A. Rins |
Yam |
1m57.580 |
1m58.585 |
+1.178 |
|
13 |
B. Binder |
KTM |
1m57.858 |
1m57.590 |
+1.188 |
|
14 |
M. Viñales |
KTM |
1m57.599 |
1m58.361 |
+1.197 |
|
15 |
J. Zarco |
Hon |
1m57.601 |
1m58.377 |
+1.199 |
|
16 |
L. Marini |
Hon |
1m59.173 |
1m57.805 |
+1.403 |
|
17 |
J. Miller |
Yam |
1m58.166 |
1m58.156 |
+1.754 |
|
18 |
T. Razgatlioglu |
Yam |
1m59.314 |
1m58.326 |
+1.924 |
|
19 |
D. Moreira |
Hon |
1m58.790 |
1m58.476 |
+2.074 |
|
20 |
L. Salvadori |
Apr |
1m58.902 |
1m59.898 |
+2.500 |
|
21 |
A. Fernandez |
Yam |
1m59.278 |
— |
+2.876 |
