After a tricky start to the day, David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) paved his way to P1 to draw first blood in Moto3 in Malaysia. Aiming to consolidate P2 overall in the standings, the #22 set the fastest time of the day to head the field whilst the homecoming tour is well underway for Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) with the Malaysian fourth at the chequered flag.
A 2’11.427 saw the Spaniard clear by less than a tenth of a second from rookie star Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3), taking to Sepang for the first time. 0.069s split the top two whilst less than a tenth covered the top three with Phillip Island polesitter Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) continuing his form in third and taking top Honda honours. Danish was a star in fourth ahead of Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) whilst, like Almansa, Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) turned around a tricky FP1 to round out the top six in Practice.
Heavyweight names are scattered further back with the likes of Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P7, teammate Brian Uriarte in P9 and David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) in P10. 2026 World Champion Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) was only 11th whereas big names missed the cut all together. US GP winner Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) will face the Q1 music in 15th, along with Argentinean pairing Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team).
Moto3 Practice results from Sepang