There is perhaps no better word to describe the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend than an emotional rollercoaster in every sense. Good and bad moments that, unfortunately, were quite marred by the serious accident between José Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler in Moto3. A complicated situation in every sense that delayed the races, but did not cancel them.
But returning to the premier class and continuing with the simile, it was also a weekend of ups and downs, which began with falls for Álex Márquez, but which ended with the Spanish rider as runner-up in the world at the Malaysian GP and still with two GPs to spare.
Bagnaia recovers, Álex achieves the goal
Pecco Bagnaia continues with his peculiar season where one weekend he is practically unbeatable and, the next weekend, he is missing. In Sepang there were almost two sides of the coin, since he had to go through Q1, but then he achieved pole and once the Sprint Race started on Saturday, no one could beat him.
START THE SPRINT RACE!
Enjoy all the GP and the DAZN engine here 🔗 https://t.co/5yMVsENHx5#MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 #MotoGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/4LQRnw6JKb
— DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) October 25, 2025
Safe, unbeatable, showing its best side and, perhaps, making it clear that the problem may not be so easy to solve, and does not depend on either the rider or Ducati but on a combination of both. In any case, he shone as in his best moments, with an efficient and fast Álex Márquez who finished in second position and mathematically won the runner-up position in the world championship. With this, the Márquez brothers make history by being the first to become MotoGP champion and runner-up in the same year.
Pedro Acosta, who continues to be the best KTM on a regular basis and very far from his brand colleagues, managed to add a new podium after Fermín Aldeguer had crossed the finish line third, but was sanctioned for not complying with the tire pressure regulations.
Morbidelli, Quartararo, Bezzecchi, Aldeguer himself, Zarco and Bastianini completed the first nine places that gave the right to points.
Álex Márquez finishes off his perfect weekend at the Malaysian GP by taking the victory
On Sunday, after the Moto3 accident and with a tense atmosphere due to not having news about his teammates, it was time for the race. A decision that many pilots have openly questioned and that made the position of the organizer of the “Show must go on” clear. So, trying to put aside negative thoughts, the MotoGP riders took to the track and Pecco Bagnaia seemed ready to take another victory.
But this time Álex Márquez, no longer under the pressure of having to ensure results, placed himself first in the second round to impose his pace from that moment on. Bagnaia tried to follow him, but there were no chances against a reliable and accurate Álex who, little by little, expanded his lead against a Pecco who seemed to have second place more or less assured.
PROBLEMS FOR PECCO BAGNAIA! 🤯
The Italian driver abandons in Sepang
🔗 https://t.co/5yMVsENHx5#MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 #MotoGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/gYguALNR02
— DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) October 26, 2025
It seemed that way, because from lap twelve the Italian’s pace began to slow down without the situation being understood from the outside. Acosta managed to overcome it and although Bagnaia tried everything, he suffered more and more until on lap 18, with only two to go, he had to go to the pits. There the problem was revealed: a puncture in the rear tire that put an end to the Ducati rider’s options in the race.
Joan Mir took advantage of this situation to add a new podium ahead of Morbidelli, Quartararo who once again made the most of the Yamaha and Fabio Di Gianantonio. On this occasion Enea Bastianini reached seventh place, with Luca Marini eighth, Brad Binder ninth and Ai Ogura tenth and Aprilia’s best, in a Malaysian GP in which the Italian bikes have not particularly shined.
CELEBRATE THE RUNNER-UP CHAMPIONSHIP BY WINNING 🥇
MAKING A CAREER FROM START TO FINISH 🪄@alexmarquez73 takes a VICTORY in Sepang ahead of Pedro Acosta and Joan Mir#MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 #MotoGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/SeHm8Q1xTJ— DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) October 26, 2025
With this race the Asian tour came to an end and the championship prepares for the last two Grands Prix, the one in Portugal in two weeks and the one in Valencia in three. Two GPs that will serve to know if it is finally Bagnaia or Bezzecchi who is third overall at the end of the season. And only 5 points in favor of Marco separate the two Italians.
