Fabio Quartararo Tops Shakedown Test in Malaysia

Quartararo Dominates Sepang Shakedown as Rookies Impress and Factories Unveil 2025 Upgrades.

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Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) emerged as the fastest rider at the Sepang Shakedown Test, setting the only sub-1:58 lap time with a blistering 1:57.794. 

The Frenchman finished three-tenths clear of new Yamaha teammate Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), while Honda HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro made a late charge to secure third on the final lap of Day 3.

While the timesheets tell one story, the Shakedown Test was packed with intriguing subplots, from rookie performances to factory developments and new machinery.

Rookies Make Their Mark

Reigning Moto2 champion Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) continued to impress, finishing fourth overall and just 0.414 seconds off Quartararo’s pace on Day 3. The Japanese rider was the fastest rookie and second overall on Day 1 before the factory Yamaha riders joined the test. Ogura also completed a race simulation, posting lap times a few tenths quicker than Aprilia’s top finisher at Sepang last year.

Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Racing MotoGP) was another standout rookie, finishing 0.627 seconds off the top despite a minor crash at Turn 9 on Sunday. Aldeguer’s performance, though slightly behind Ogura’s, showcased his potential as he adapted to MotoGP machinery.

Thai rider Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) made steady progress on his second day of testing after sitting out Day 1. Chantra, who is still finding his rhythm, expressed excitement about his first MotoGP practice starts, describing them as a “rocket launch.”

Factory Highlights

Yamaha: Quartararo’s dominance was a major talking point, with the Frenchman reportedly testing a new chassis, swingarm, and updated aero on Day 3. Teammate Alex Rins finished seventh, while Jack Miller’s adaptation to the Yamaha was notable. Miller’s final lap time was only half a second off his qualifying time at last year’s Malaysian GP on a different bike, a significant improvement from his earlier tests.

Honda: Aleix Espargaro led the charge for Honda, setting a 1:58.106 on his final lap – just a thousandth slower than his Q2 time at the 2024 Malaysian GP on his previous machine. Espargaro split his workload across different bikes, showcasing Honda’s focus on development. Notably, Honda’s race riders, including Joan Mir and Luca Marini, were absent from the test, with their debut expected during the Official Test.

Aprilia: Test rider Lorenzo Savadori worked on a 2025-spec machine, while rookie Ai Ogura reportedly tried new parts, signalling Aprilia’s confidence in the Japanese rider.

KTM: Pol Espargaro finished fifth, with test rider Dani Pedrosa in ninth. The team’s new rear components, spotted on Saturday, were among the key developments.

Ducati: Michele Pirro continued to shake down the machinery in preparation for Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia’s arrival. Updated aero and a new chassis, previously seen at the Barcelona Test, made an appearance on Day 3.

What’s Next?

After two days of rest, the MotoGP paddock will return to Sepang for the Official Test from February 5-7. This will be the final opportunity for teams and riders to fine-tune their setups before the 2025 season kicks off at the Buriram International Circuit in Thailand on February 28.

With rookies shining, factory teams unveiling new developments, and Quartararo setting the pace, the 2025 MotoGP season is already shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle.