Malaysian GP | Viñales Fastest in Warm Up
Maverick Viñales topped the morning warm up session at the Sepang International Circuit. Valentino Rossi was 2nd, after qualifying 3rd, but was promoted to 2nd following Marquez’ penalty. Jack Miller finished 3rd this morning. Today’s races have been moved forward, in an attempt to get all classes finished before the forecast rain.
Marquez who qualified on pole position, will start from 7th on the grid, after being handed a six-place grid penalty for irresponsible riding in Q2. Due to this penalty, the MotoGP front row will be Zarco starting from pole, Rossi starting 2nd and Iannone is starting from 3rd position. Dovizioso, who has won the last two MotoGP races at Sepang, starts today’s race from 4th on the grid. Siméon, who scored his first point last weekend in Australia, has qualified in 15th position, making him Top Rookie for this weekend’s qualifying session.
Viñales topped the session with a time of 2:11:476. Rossi closely followed in 2nd, with a time of 2:12:424. Miller rounded out the top 3 with a time of 2:12:903.
Top Yamaha was Viñales, who topped the session, closely followed by Rossi in 2nd. Zarco set a time of 2:14:625, placing him 14th. Contender for Rookie of the Year and Home hero, Syahrin placed 15th with a time of 2:14:940.
Top Ducati was Miller, who finished morning Warm Up in 3rd. Ducati test rider, Pirro set a time of 2:13:530, which placed him 5th. Dovizioso placed 7th with a time of 2:13:788. Bautista, who impressed last weekend on his Factory Ducati debut, starts today’s Grand Prix from 9th, finished this morning’s warm up in 9th, setting a time of 2:13:934.
Top Suzuki was Rins, who placed 8th, after setting a time of 2:13:847. Iannone set a time of 2:20:917 placing him 23rd.
The first Honda was Marquez in 4th, setting a time of 2:13:007. Pedrosa set a time of 2:14:305, placing him 10th. Contender for Rookie of the Year, Morbidelli, placed 20th setting a time of 2:16:048.
Top KTM for this morning’s Warm Up was P. Espargaro with a time of 2:14:496, placing him 12th. Smith set a time of 2:15:952 placing him 19th.
Top Aprilia was Redding, setting a time of 2:13:631, he placed 6th. A. Espargaro set a time of 2:15:932 placing him 18th.
Top Rookie was Syahrin in 15th position with a time of 2:14:940.
The weather for today’s race at the Sepang International Circuit looks to be overcast, with potential thunder and lightening storms with highs of 31ºC. Today’s proceedings have been moved earlier in the day to avoid the rain as far as possible.
