Marc Marquez Leads Sepang Practice as Jorge Martin Battles Injury
Marc Marquez set the pace in the opening practice session of the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit, clocking a 1’58″912 to outpace his rivals, Sky Sport reported. The Ducati rider was the only competitor to break the 1’59” barrier during Friday morning’s action, finishing nearly half a second clear of Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi, according to Source 2. Pedro Acosta claimed third position with a time matching Bezzecchi’s down to the thousandth, and produced a miraculous save at turn 15 near the end of the session. The weekend’s schedule spans Friday, October 30, through Sunday, November 1, 2026, with all 22 Grands Prix of the season broadcast live on Sky Sport MotoGP and streaming on NOW, alongside delayed free-to-air coverage on TV8 for Saturday’s qualifying and Sprint races, as detailed by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Jorge Martin Returns Under Painkillers After Phillip Island Fracture
Attention at the Sepang circuit centered heavily on Jorge Martin’s box as the championship contender returned to action just days after sustaining a right radius fracture during the Sprint race in Phillip Island, Source 2 reported. The Pramac rider completed 12 laps on his RS-GP to finish 20th with a best time of 2’00″747—about 1.8 seconds off Marquez’s benchmark. Aprilia team manager Paolo Bonora noted that the Spaniard’s physical condition surpassed initial expectations, allowing him to preserve energy for the afternoon session while securing the necessary fitness approval to continue the Malaysian weekend. However, following a later check with Dr. Charte, it was decided that his day’s running was finished, opting to evaluate his condition the following morning after a close call and prior save earlier in the morning.
👀 @marcmarquez93 is back on track but Turn 1 has not gone to plan #MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/6WtNochSAy
Morning Crashes and Technical Drama Disrupt Sessions
The morning track action featured multiple incidents, including a high-speed fall for Jack Miller at turn 4, walking away unhurt, while Iker Lecuona—substituting for the injured Fermin Aldeguer—triggered a brief red flag when the front mudguard flew off his Gresini Ducati, scattering debris across the tarmac. Marc Marquez also suffered a crash at turn 15 while pushing for the fastest time, though he quickly remounted and later took to the track on his second bike. Joan Mir returned to action with the 14th fastest time for Honda, finishing just ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio—who placed his VR46 Ducati directly between the two LCR RC213V machines—while Luca Marini returned from a severe flu that sidelined him at Phillip Island to take 18th place, just behind Fabio Quartararo and ahead of 19th-placed Ai Ogura. Meanwhile, the sources do not mention Michelin’s two-wheeled motorsport manager Piero Taramasso or tire specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Malaysian Grand Prix
Where can viewers watch the 2026 Malaysian Grand Prix live?
The entire weekend at Sepang is broadcast live on Sky Sport MotoGP and available to stream on NOW and SkyGo, with Saturday’s qualifying and Sprint race also shown live on TV8.
What was the lap time record entering the Sepang weekend?
Pecco Bagnaia established the track lap record during the 2025 season by securing pole position with a time of 1’56.337.
What are the circuit dimensions of the Sepang International Circuit?
The track measures 5,543 meters in length, running clockwise with 15 total corners—ten to the right and five to the left—alongside four distinct straights, as outlined by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
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