Top five blast-back by Acosta in Sepang for Malaysian MotoGP™

The Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit was another stage for Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Pedro Acosta to produce a riveting performance as the 20-year-old Spaniard raced to 5th place in sweltering and sapping conditions. Teammate Augusto Fernandez rode well to progress from a P21 grid slot to take 10th in a race of physical, mental and tire attrition. Daniel Holgado is still in play for 2nd position in the 2024 Moto3™ world championship despite an early race fall.

• Acosta starts from 13th and powers his way into the top five, probing for more points and positions to ride to P5 in the world championship standings
• Fernandez capitalizes on his strong feeling at Sepang and decent race pace to make progress from the rear of the grid to grab six points
• Moto3™ points for Jacob Roulstone in 12th as Daniel Holgado crashes out on the second lap but still has a chance of a FIM World Championship medal in 2024

For the second weekend in succession the heat was on for MotoGP. The Malaysian Grand Prix brought an end to a triple header that involved trips to Australia, Thailand and the demanding Sepang International Circuit.

Acosta had moved into the top ten by the first pass of the checkered flag after the race had to be restarted due to a Turn 2 pile-up. Fernandez was also proactive with his overtaking. The race then became a pacing exercise to stretch tire potential and energy reserves all the way through the 20-lap pursuit. Pedro fought with Alex Marquez for 4th and passed the flag only a second from his countryman for 11 hard won points. The result was his seventh top five classification of the season. Fernandez was strong and defiant, and his 10th place represented his best standing of 2024.

The outcomes of the Malaysian Grand Prix mean that Acosta is 5th in the Riders championship standings while Fernandez is 20th. The cancelled Valencian round will be replaced by another venue for the final fixture of 2024 to be confirmed in the coming days.

Pedro Acosta, 5th: “A strong race but not enough. I lost time overtaking other riders at the beginning and if I was a bit more on the pace then I could have been closer to 4th. The front tire temperature was high and it was tough to manage. I did not want to put the race in the bin for nothing. Happy enough. It was important to finish the race.”

Augusto Fernandez, 10th: “Happy with the top ten and especially with the pace in the race. I had to really manage the tires but I felt great and could overtake and push forwards. I tried to grab that 9th place but, anyway, I’m satisfied with the best race of the season, also in terms of feeling. Better late than never! Now I cannot wait until the last race.”

Nicolas Goyon, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 Team Manager: “Finally we are quite happy with these results here in Malaysia. We improved on our qualifying and turned the GP around so I have to congratulate both riders for their efforts. After the Sprint we identified some issues and we found some room for improvement with Pedro and starting from p13 for another top five – both races in the points - is a great achievement, and he is also up to 5th in the championship. Also congratulations to Augusto. We know it has been a difficult season for him but we saw some spark in the Sprint and Sunday was a personal best this year that will give him some energy and power to close the campaign in the best way possible. Thanks to the mechanics for all their hard work in this heat. We’ll get ready for the final round.”

Results MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix

1. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA) Ducati 38:04.563

2. Jorge Martin (ESP) Ducati +3.141

3. Enea Bastianini (ITA) Ducati +10.484

5. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +13.699

10. Augusto Fernandez (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +22.174

DNS. Jack Miller (AUS) KTM

DNS. Brad Binder (RSA) KTM

World Championship standings MotoGP

1. Jorge Martin (ESP) Ducati, 485 points

2. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA) Ducati, 461

3. Marc Marquez (ESP) Ducati, 369

5. Pedro Acosta (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, 209

6. Brad Binder (RSA) KTM, 206

14. Jack Miller (AUS) KTM, 84

20. Augusto Fernandez (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, 27

Moto3

Daniel Holgado and Jacob Roulstone lined-up in 7th and 19th positions for the Grand Prix outing that kicked off proceedings in front of an 88,500 crowd on Sunday. Holgado had priorities of securing P2 for the season as much as banking a strong result at Sepang. The rapid Spaniard slid into the leading group from the outset but a miscalculation into Turn 13 on the second lap caused a highside and he was out of the race. Roulstone was initially out of the top twenty but the Australian worked hard to make progress and squeeze into contention for championship points. He forced his way into the second group and in the decisive final lap rush grabbed 12th at the line.

Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 are 5th in the Teams standings. Holgado has now confirmed a top four championship placing. Roulstone is 15th and still needs to defend the slot at the final Grand Prix.

Jacob Roulstone, 12th: “Quite a decent way to wrap-up the weekend here in Sepang. I had one of my best starts of the season but didn’t make the best line choice into Turn 2 and was hit hard from behind. It meant I had to put my head down to get those positions back and work. I reached a point where I was by myself with a gap in front and also behind so it was a long, lonely race and a mental challenge to stay consistent. There were some things I realized I can work on, especially during this winter. Thanks to the boys for their help again this weekend.”

Daniel Holgado, DNF: “A difficult day. A big mistake…but I am OK. I have another opportunity in the last race. I’m still confident and this is important.”

Results Moto3 Malaysian Grand Prix

1. David Alonso (COL) CFMOTO 33:03.671

2. Taiyo Furusato (JPN) Honda +0.088

3. Jose Antonio Rueda (ESP) KTM +0.411

5. Collin Veijer (NED) Husqvarna +1.091

12. Jacob Roulstone (AUS) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 +16.019

14. Xabi Zurutuza (ESP) KTM +20.793

DNF. Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN) Husqvarna

DNF. Daniel Holgado (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3

DNF. Joel Esteban (ESP) CFMOTO

World Championship standings Moto3

1. David Alonso (COL) CFMOTO, 396 points

2. Daniel Holgado (ESP) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, 236

3. Collin Veijer (NED) Husqvarna, 236

7. Jose Antonio Rueda (ESP), KTM, 144

14. Tatsuki Suzuki (JPN) Husqvarna, 88

15. Jacob Roulstone (AUS) Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, 58

17. Joel Esteban (ESP) CFMOTO, 45

23. Xabi Zurutuza (ESP) KTM, 13