Ducati’s Enea Bastianini emerged victorious in the Malaysian Grand Prix, securing his first race win of the season. He finished ahead of Gresini’s Alex Marquez, while Jorge Martin failed to close the gap on championship leader Francesco Bagnaia. Bagnaia, who started in pole position, ultimately finished third, and Martin, who qualified second, ended up in a distant fourth place, falling 14 points behind Bagnaia in the championship standings.
For Bastianini, this victory was particularly meaningful. He had faced setbacks earlier in the season, breaking his shoulder in the opening sprint in Portugal and missing additional races due to surgery on his hand and ankle. The 25-year-old Italian, who recently joined the factory Ducati team, felt the pressure to deliver results and became the seventh different rider to win a race this season. In a post-race interview, an exhausted Bastianini expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating, “I’m so tired. I gave my 100% today. After a long time without a podium, I’ve got this victory. My family and friends know what I’ve had to do to arrive here, it’s fantastic.”
Both Bastianini and Marquez had strong starts in the race, leaving the two title contenders behind on the opening lap with impressive pace. The four riders quickly distanced themselves from the chasing pack, with Bastianini extending his lead over Marquez. Martin made several attempts to overtake Bagnaia but was eventually forced to back off and conserve his tires due to the intense heat at the Sepang International Circuit. Bagnaia, too, seemed content to maintain his position in third place. Reflecting on his performance, Bagnaia acknowledged the challenges he faced, saying, “I tried to close the gap to Alex and Bastianini, but I was really struggling with the braking… But I’m happy to keep a gap in the championship.”
As the race neared its conclusion, Martin found himself nearly six seconds behind Bagnaia, realizing that he had missed another opportunity to narrow the gap in the championship battle. Meanwhile, Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo overtook Marco Bezzecchi in the final stages of the race, preventing an all-Ducati top five and spoiling Bezzecchi’s 25th birthday. The MotoGP championship still has two races remaining this season, which will take place in Qatar and Valencia.
In conclusion, Enea Bastianini’s victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix marked his first win of the season. Despite facing injuries and setbacks, he triumphed in the race, becoming the seventh different rider to win a race this season. The championship leader, Francesco Bagnaia, finished third, while Jorge Martin fell further behind in the standings. The race showcased the intense competition among the riders, with Bastianini and Marquez leading the pack and Martin struggling to close the gap. The MotoGP championship will continue with two more races in Qatar and Valencia.
