P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Pecco Bagnaia led MotoGP title rival Jorge Martin by half a tenth at the end of Friday practice at the Malaysian Grand Prix
Pecco Bagnaia had a slight edge over MotoGP rival Jorge Martin in Friday practice at the Malaysian Grand Prix, with a lead of half a tenth in lap time. Bagnaia set a 1m57.679s, topping the session as Martin crashed at Turn 1 on his flying lap. This mistake by Martin, the championship leader, could be costly in the upcoming sessions. Bagnaia’s Ducati seems out of reach for the competition, with teammate Enea Bastianini the only one potentially able to challenge him. Martin’s strong lead may be maintained through the weekend. In a standout performance, Maverick Vinales on the Aprilia secured a fourth-place, while his teammate Aleix Espargaro faced difficulties with two crashes. The Ducatis from 2023 appeared to struggle in comparison to their newer models, with Alex Marquez in sixth place. Honda’s Johann Zarco led the Honda riders in 13th, while Andrea Iannone returned with a 21st position, slower than his teammate Marco Bezzecchi.
