- 2024-11-04
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SPORTS
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MotoGP Malaysian GP: Francesco Bagnaia Wins in Malaysia To Take Title Race to Final Round
PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia took place at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit in Sepang on November 3, 2024.
The initial start was red flagged due to a crash at Turns 1 and 2 involving Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM), Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati), Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha).
And then, the second race was reduced to 19 laps and restarted. But Brad Binder and Jack Miller missed the restart due to a injury.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) took his tenth victory of the season after a fierce battle with Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati), who was finally 2nd.
This marks Jorge Martin's championship lead over Francesco Bagnaia reduced from 29 points to 24. The world championship will be decided by results in Spain in the last round of the 2024 season.
Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo) was 3rd after Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati) crashed while running in 3rd at Turn 15 on Lap 7. Marc Marquez rejoined in the race, but finished in 12th.
Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) were 4th and 5th, respectively.
Even though, Fabio Quartararo was involved the incident on the opening lap, he took the restart and finished in 6th. It is his best result of the season.
Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) and Alex Rins (Monster Yamaha) completed the top eight. Marco Bezzecchi (R46 Ducati) was 9th ahead of Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3).- Francesco Bagnaia said, “For me, it's very easy because I'm not this type of guy and I wanted to just enjoy the race. I enjoyed it. In any case, if I was doing it I would not be happy because it's something that is out of my mind. I think it's not fair and we have to win it in a fair way. Was fantastic, because we fought hard, was quite aggressive but clean because we never touched. And I knew that after three, four laps if I was in front and pushing I could open this gap - not just for the pace, but also for the temperature of the tyres. So, I was able to set my pace, opening the gap. And after that I was just hoping that Enea and Marc were closing the gap to Jorge. But we know right now in the championship we [Martin and myself] are making the difference and it's giving us the potential to open the gap. Even if he slowed down a bit, he still finished the same seven seconds to the third. We still have a chance. We really need some help from others, because in case of a win he will finish second because we are in another level. But I will try to help everybody during the weekend to give my slipstream, so someone will follow. I know that in Barcelona also Aleix Espargaro will be strong and will help Jorge all weekend. I just need someone who will go in between me and him.”
- Jorge Martin said, “It was a great race. I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks to Pecco, he's making this challenge more difficult. I wanted to win, and I wanted to be in the lead, but for sure Pecco had the strategy. I completely understood his strategy, he was aggressive, and I was also. We were making a good show for the first few laps but as soon as he overtook me it was impossible to fight. At the end I tried again to put some pressure, but I almost crashed, so I think getting eight points from this is unbelievable. Going to the final race will be a challenge, so let's try to do the best.”
The new MotoGP season finale, after the cancellation of Valencia, is set to be held in Barcelona on November 15-17.
PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia Race Results- Francesco Bagnaia / Ducati Lenovo / 38m 4.563s
- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / +3.141s
- Enea Bastianini / Ducati Lenovo / +10.484s
- Alex Marquez / Gresini Ducati / +12.230s
- Pedro Acosta / Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 / +13.699s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / +16.245s
- Maverick Vinales / Aprilia Racing / +19.447s
- Alex Rins / Monster Yamaha / +20.611s
- Marco Bezzecchi / VR46 Ducati / +21.994s
- Augusto Fernandez / Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 / +22.174s
- Johann Zarco / LCR Honda / +25.625s
- Marc Marquez / Gresini Ducati / +27.276s
- Aleix Espargaro / Aprilia Racing / +27.604s
- Franco Morbidelli / Pramac Ducati / +27.949s
- Luca Marini / Repsol Honda / +28.838s
- Raul Fernandez / Trackhouse Aprilia / +38.847s
- Andrea Iannone / VR46 Ducati / +47.599s
- Lorenzo Savadori / Trackhouse Aprilia / +48.956s
Photo by MotoGP - source : MotoGP
