MotoGP FP1 Results: Francesco Bagnaia makes strong comeback, eyes Championship Title lead at Malaysian GP

MotoGP Malaysian is underway and the weekend has started with Free practice session 1, the Reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia is leading the pack with an impressive lap time of 1.58.795s at the Sepang International circuit.

Pecco gives a strong comeback

The Italian rider was very keen on retaining his world championship this year as his title fight with his rival, Prima Pramac Racing rider and championship leader Jorge Martin is getting intense with only 2 races remaining in the MotoGP Calendar.

Jorge Marin on the other hand finished sixth after the free practice session 1 with a 2.00.442 lap time. He is expected to improve in the coming sessions. Pecco was followed by Maverick Vinales of Apilia Racing and Marco Bezzecchi of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing team. 

The fourth place is sealed by KTM rider Jack Miller followed by Young rookie Pedro Acosta of the GAS GAS Tech 3 racing team. The championship leader Jorge Martin is sixth and was leading Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing team), and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha).

First session of #TheRematch down and a marker set!@PeccoBagnaia leads with @88jorgemartin 6th as @andreaiannone29 returns in the top 10! 👏#MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/KEA5oDyb1Y

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 1, 2024

Andrea Lannone who came back after 5 long years away from MotoGP as a replacement rider for Di Gi at the VR46 team was impressive and finished ninth ahead of A. Fernandez (Red Bull Gas Gas tech 3). IDEMITSU Honda LCR rider T.Nakagami finished 11th ahead of 6-time world champion Marc Marquez of the Gresini Racing team. 

The 13th and 14th places were taken by F. Morbidelli of the Prima Pramac Racing team and Enea Bastianini of the Ducati Lenovo Team. KTM rider Brad Binder finished 15th followed by Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha), J.Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR), L.Savadori (Trackhouse Racing), J.Mir (Repsol Honda), L.Marini (Repsol Honda), R.Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing), A.Espargaro (Aprilia racing).

Currently, J. Martin is leading first in championship points with 453 points ahead of Francesco Bagnaia with 436 points and Marc Marquez with 356 points. The Malaysian Grand Prix is very important for both Martin and Bagnaia as their championship hopes are still hanging in balance.