Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia(Ducati Lenovo Team) Reigning MotoGP World Champion clinched a stunning pole position at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia 2024, setting a new lap record with an astonishing 1:56.337.
The Ducati Lenovo Team rider edged out his title contender, Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Racing, by 0.216 seconds in a breathtaking Q2 showdown. Bagnaia’s flawless lap solidified his position at the front, setting a fierce tone for Sunday’s race.
Jorge Martin had initially set the pace, diving into the 1:56s early in Q2. However, Bagnaia countered on his second run, establishing a benchmark Martin couldn’t surpass. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) completed the front row with a solid lap to secure P3, although nearly a second behind Bagnaia’s blistering time.
During FP2, riders optimized their setups for the Sepang circuit, with Bagnaia dominating the session, putting him in prime form for qualifying. Marco Bezzecchi of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team delivered an impressive Q1 performance, but it was Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who topped the Q1 charts and advanced to Q2.
Martin set a fierce pace early in Q2, but Bagnaia answered with his record-breaking 1:56.337 lap. Meanwhile, teammate Enea Bastianini faced a setback with a late-session crash at Turn 15.
Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) spearheads the second row after an impressive last-minute effort. Joining him are Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) in fifth and Bastianini in sixth, despite his crash.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jack Miller leads the third row, flanked by Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, both of whom made significant strides in Sepang.
Further back, rookie Pedro Acosta of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 narrowly missed Q2, securing 13th. Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) sit further back on the grid, with Andrea Iannone (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) making a remarkable return and qualifying 17th.
Saturday’s action is far from over, as riders gear up for the Tissot Sprint at 15:00 local time (UTC +8). Bagnaia, poised to close Martin’s championship lead, aims to capitalize on his pole position and start the weekend strong.
Top 10 Qualifying Results:
- Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1:56.337
- Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) – +0.216
- Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – +0.938
- Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) – +0.942
- Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – +0.964
- Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) – +1.029
- Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – +1.221
- Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) – +1.225
- Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) – +1.389
- Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – +1.545
- Credit Photo : MotoGP
