07:00
warm-up lap
The field sets off for the warm-up lap.
Francesco Bagnaia, 2024 Malaysian MotoGP
2024 Malaysian MotoGP: Sprint as it happened
Recap Saturday’s sprint at the 2024 Malaysian MotoGP.
Two riders, two rounds and 17-points.
That’s the MotoGP title situation with reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia reducing Jorge Martin’s advantage heading into this weekend’s Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang.
Beaten to third in the Buriram Sprint, Bagnaia responded in style to claim his ninth grand prix victory of the season in last Sunday’s soaking Thai MotoGP.
The Italian now arrives at one of his favourite circuits eager to take another bite out of Martin’s lead ahead of the Valencia finale.
Bagnaia, winner of the 2022 Malaysian GP and third behind team-mate Enea Bastianini and Gresini’s Alex Marquez last season, was fastest in February’s Sepang pre-season test.
However, Martin, fourth at Sepang last season, was just 0.172s behind.
Bagnaia starts from pole ahead of Martin after a titanic battle in qualifying on Saturday at Sepang.
Wet weather could again add to the title drama with rain forecast to make an appearance throughout the weekend.
This weekend will also see the MotoGP return of Andrea Iannone, who joins VR46 in place of the injured Fabio di Giannantonio.
Iannone, who won a race in his debut WorldSBK campaign this season, will be riding at the same track where his failed anti-doping test in 2019 eventually led to a four-year ban.
FP3 starts at 10:10 local time, followed by Qualifying from 10:50am. The 10-lap Sprint race begins at 3pm.
06:59
tyre choice
Everyone on the medium rear, soft front combination for this 10-lap sprint.
06:58
It appears to have stopped raining now. Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia: how are your nerves?
06:56
There is just five minutes till lights out. This may well be a delayed start.
06:56
It's raining!
06:55
The paddock has just observed a minute of silence for the Valencia flood victims.
MotoGP is "racing for Valencia" over the final two rounds.
06:50
Just 17 points is the gap between Martin and Bagnaia at the top of the standings ahead of this sprint.
Depending on what happens today, Martin could go into Sunday with his first chance to win the title.
06:48
The riders are currently making their way to the grid for this 10-lap sprint. There is due to be a minute of silence ahead of this sprint in memory of those affected by the horrific flooding in Valencia this week.
06:47
Currently conditions are dry but there are a lot of thick clouds building around the Sepang circuit.
06:47
starting grid
Row 1 - Bagnaia, Martin, A.Marquez
Row 2 - Morbidelli, M.Marquez, Bastianini
Row 3 - Miller, Quartararo, Rins
Row 4 - Binder, Zarco, Vinales
Row 5 - Acosta, Bezzecchi, R.Fernandez
Row 6 - Espargaro, Iannone, Nakagami
Row 7 - Marini, Mir, A.Fernandez
Row 8 - Savadori
06:45
sprint build-up
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the 2024 MotoGP Malaysian GP sprint.
Just 15 minutes until lights out.
03:31
Martin tries to respond to Bagnaia's lap and matches the Ducati Lenovo rider heading into the final sector, then loses the front and has to sit up.
Pole position is settled in Bagnaia's favour, but both title rivals made an epic effort.
03:29
Third place Alex Marquez is now 0.938s behind Bagnaia.
03:28
Wow! Bagnaia does it! He beats Martin's record time by 0.216s to snatch pole back!
03:27
The final qualifying laps are underway and Bagnaia is responding to Martin's challenge! He's equal with the pole time halfway through the lap...
03:24
Martin pulls into the pits with a massive 0.527s advantage over Bagnaia and the rest of the field.
Bastianini, M.Marquez, Morbidelli and Quartararo complete the current top six.
03:22
Martin's charge continues and a stunning 1m 56.553s on his next lap is the best ever for MotoGP at Sepang, not only smashing the official lap record but the unofficial record of 1m 56.682 by Bagnaia in pre-season testing!
03:19
Boom! A new lap record by Jorge Martin on his first flying lap!
03:19
Marc Marquez muscles past Fabio Quartararo on the out lap to stay in the tow of Francesco Bagnaia.
03:16
Tense expressions on the faces of title rivals Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia as their helmets go on for Qualifying 2.
03:14
Qualifying 2 line-up
Johann Zarco and Brad Binder join the top ten riders from Friday...
Francesco BAGNAIA
Jorge MARTIN
Enea BASTIANINI
Maverick VIÑALES
Alex MARQUEZ
Fabio QUARTARARO
Franco MORBIDELLI
Alex RINS
Jack MILLER
Marc MARQUEZ
03:09
Qualifying 1 results: Zarco, Binder - Acosta, Bezzecchi, R.Fernandez, A.Espargaro, Iannone, Nakagami, Marini, Mir, A.Fernandez, Savadori.
03:07
Wow! Johann Zarco shocks by leaping from 7th to 1st!
That pushes Pedro Acosta out of the top two, with Binder joining Zarco in Qualifying 2.
