Veda Ega Pratama Climbs to Fourth in Moto3 Malaysia FP1, Outpacing Key Rivals
Veda Ega Pratama finished fourth in Moto3 Malaysia FP1, 0.234 seconds behind Alvaro Carpe, who set a time of 2:11.585. Maximo Quiles, the 2026 Moto3 world champion, trailed by 0.129 seconds, while Marco Morelli rounded out the top three, 0.135 seconds behind Carpe. CNN Indonesia reported Veda started 20th before climbing to 18th before mid-session.
His final time of 2:11.819 placed him ahead of Hakim Danish (2:11.834) and Joel Kelso (2:11.841). Kompas noted Veda used towing behind Malaysian rider Hakim Danish to gain positions, finishing ninth before the final laps. The Indonesian rider’s progress contrasted with his Australia GP setback, where pole position was rendered meaningless by a rain cancellation.
Carpe’s Late Surge and Veda’s Strategic Gains
Alvaro Carpe’s 2:11.585 sealed his FP1 lead, outpacing Quiles, who had initially posted 2:11.714. Quiles, who clinched the 2026 title in Mandalika, faced a late challenge from Carpe, who improved his time in the final minutes. Veda’s climb from 20th to fourth highlighted his adaptability, with Honda Team Asia’s Hiroshi Aoyama praising his performance.
Veda’s ability to close the gap—despite starting at the back—positioned him as a contender for the top five in the 2026 standings. His 2:12.208 in an earlier session, slightly slower than his final time, showed he could adjust under race conditions.
Honda Team Asia focuses on Sepang heat
Veda’s Malaysia performance followed a disrupted Australia GP, where he secured pole position but the race was canceled due to rain. “I was confident in my performance and eager to compete, but the decision had to be made,” he said, per BeritaSatu.com. Honda Team Asia’s Aoyama emphasized the team’s focus on Sepang’s “heat and humidity,” which could test rider endurance.
The Malaysian GP served as a critical test for Veda’s consistency. Kompas.tv highlighted the team’s preparation for Sepang’s challenging conditions, with Aoyama acknowledging the difficulty but expressing confidence in Veda’s familiarity with the circuit. His fourth-place finish in FP1 offered a cautious optimism ahead of the main event.
Veda uses experience to handle Sepang humidity
While FP1 was dry, Kompas.tv reported Aoyama’s warnings about Sepang’s “heat and humidity,” which could impact performance. Veda, who has raced at the circuit before, is expected to use his experience. His ability to recover from Australia’s cancellation—finishing fourth in FP1—demonstrated resilience.
Veda Pratama ‘nangkring’ di posisi 4 (P4) pada sesi Free Practice 1 kelas Moto3 di sirkuit Sepang Malaysia pagi ini. Sementara itu posisi 1 sampai 3 ditempati Alvaro Carpe, Maximo Quiles, dan Marco Morielle.Latihan Bebas pertama ini tidak berpengaruh terhadap posisi start, tapi…
The contrast between Australia’s rain and Malaysia’s dry conditions showed how unpredictable the season is. Veda’s fourth-place finish in FP1, combined with his recent improvements, positioned him as a contender, though rivals like Quiles and Carpe remain formidable.
Why did Veda Ega Pratama start at the back?
Why did Veda Ega Pratama start at the back of the grid in FP1?
Veda began the session in 20th place, according to CNN Indonesia, but gradually improved his position through strategic overtaking and towing. His final time of 2:11.819 placed him fourth, showcasing his ability to adapt under pressure.
/data/photo/2026/10/24/6adc7b7505134.jpg "Photo: Kompas")
What is the significance of Alvaro Carpe’s FP1 time?
Carpe’s time of 2:11.585 seconds, reported by detikcom, secured him the top spot, highlighting his dominance in the early stages of the 2026 season. His performance shows he can compete with established riders like Maximo Quiles.
How did Veda’s performance in Malaysia compare to his Australia GP experience?
Veda secured pole position in Australia but faced a canceled race due to weather, as noted by BeritaSatu.com. In Malaysia, he avoided a similar fate, using the session to build momentum ahead of the main event.
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