As the riders headed out to complete their first flying laps, the rain was still intense and with just under 13 minutes remaining, the red flags were shown due to standing water on track.
NEW SUNDAY SCHEDULE ⚠️#Moto3 - 10.00am#Moto2 - 11.20am#MotoGP - 13.00pm
— MotoGP™???????????? (@MotoGP) November 3, 2018
All times are in Local Time ⏰#MotoGP | #MalaysianGP ???? https://t.co/BmYlFhoWVf pic.twitter.com/ZfKeSlPdz4
A lengthy delay then followed but at 16:30 local time, pitlane was open and Q1 at the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix began, with the full 15 minutes being reinstated.
By the end of the session, it was Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) who topped the times to head into the Q2 pole position shootout, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) joining him after going second quickest.
#MotoGP Q1 ????@19Bautista and @AleixEspargaro secure their places in Q2 ⏱#MalaysianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/8pGXfdt73i
— MotoGP™???????????? (@MotoGP) November 3, 2018
Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed while sitting top, with Tom Luthi (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) also crashing – riders ok.
After his FP4 crash, Jordi Torres (Reale Avintia Racing) took no part in Q1 and has been ruled out for the rest of the weekend due to a first base of metacarpal fracture.
A wet Q2 begins very soon!
Click here for the full results!