The keys to the Malaysian race, by Manuel Pecino

The red flag on the first lap

A nasty crash between turns #1 and #2 involving Binder, Quartararo and Miller forced race direction to bring out the red flag. The most affected was Miller, who ended up at the circuit hospital. Quartararo and Binder lined up 20 minutes later on the new grid, but the South African pitted and retired after the warm-up lap.

2

The Martín/Bagnaia duel was very intense in the first 3 laps

The best and most intense of all seen this season. Bagnaia took the lead after the start, but the unleashed Jorge, who was in danger of eroding his lead in the provisional standings, repeatedly attacked Pecco who did not give an inch. Both overtook and overtook each other several times during the three laps this excellent one-on-one lasted. From there, Bagnaia ahead, he had a relatively calm race.

3

Martín’s decision to fit a different front tire to the rest of the grid

A dangerous decision, because if it went wrong he was severely criticized. “I know, I know it was a risk, I asked myself what I would do if I ran without the pressure of the championship; and that’s what got me out of the race.”

4

Márquez’s downfall

Running third, he was a unique witness to the hyper duel between Martín and Bagnaia. In some ways Márquez was destined to be decisive in the fight for the title, because if he finished second behind Martín he would hand the title to Jorge With him out of the race, there was no driver left on the track capable of interfering with Martín and Bagnaia.

5

Martín’s mistake in turn #9 on lap 16

Taking advantage of the fact that Bagnaia changed the power map, Jorge began to close the gap on Pecco, giving the impression that he was going to reach his wheel. But on lap 16 of 19 planned, he went wide under braking in turn #9. From being 1.4 s away, Bagnaia’s advantage went to 2.2 s… From there it was time to safely reach the finish line.