No one could touch Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) on a dry Friday at the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix, but the weather looks set to throw a curveball on Saturday as the riders prepare for a potentially wet qualifying.
Malaysia’s tropical climate at this time of year is highly unpredictable and it’s no guarantee that we’ll see rainfall during the weekend – although it is highly possible. If qualifying is set to be wet, the riders already inside the top 10 won’t mind the rain coming during FP3. Why? No one from outside the top 10 will be able to improve their dry Friday times, and it’ll give them some time to get accustomed to a wet Sepang International Circuit ahead of the all-important fight for pole position.
Curtains will be immediately drawn on Saturday morning to see what the Malaysian weather has to offer all three classes. If it remains dry in the morning, an intriguing fight for the automatic Q2 places will go ahead. If the heavens open, we’ll get a first indication of who has the pace in the rain. Either way, it’ll be excitement aplenty in Sepang.
MotoGP™ FP3 kicks off at 10:50 local time (GMT+8), with qualifying getting underway for the premier class at 15:05.