Francesco Bagnaia Powers to Pole at Malaysian GP After Stunning Q1 Comeback

Sepang, Malaysia — October 25, 2025: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) delivered a statement of intent at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, claiming pole position in a thrilling MotoGP qualifying session after battling his way through Q1. The reigning World Champion bounced back from his Indonesia and Australia struggles to secure his third consecutive pole at Sepang, clocking a 1’57.001 lap.

It was far from straightforward for the Ducati ace, who found himself in the stacked first qualifying session alongside big names such as Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team). Bagnaia set the pace midway through Q1, joining Aldeguer in the final shootout as Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol), Bezzecchi and Fernandez narrowly missed out.

Q2: Bagnaia Strikes When It Counts

In Q2, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) made an early charge with a 1’57.195, but Bagnaia’s second-run brilliance proved unstoppable. The Ducati star unleashed a near-perfect lap with a flying final sector to secure provisional pole, holding off Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) by just 0.016 seconds.

Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) completed an all-Ducati front row — a strong response from the Borgo Panigale camp just a week after their 98-race front-row streak had ended. Quartararo settled for fourth, heading the second row ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Aldeguer in sixth.

Strong Honda Performances and Top Ten Battle

Honda’s Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) claimed top honours for the Japanese manufacturer in seventh, narrowly ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) impressed with ninth — his best since Barcelona — while Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) completed the top twelve.

The result marks a crucial momentum shift for Bagnaia as he looks to reassert control in the title race heading into Sunday’s Sprint and Grand Prix. With Ducati locking out the front row and rivals like Bezzecchi languishing down in 14th, the defending champion will have a clear view into Turn 1 — and a golden chance to finish the flyaway leg on a high.

Top 10 Qualifying Results – Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia 2025

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1’57.001
2. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) – +0.016s
3. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) – +0.082s
4. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)
5. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
6. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP)
7. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol)
8. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
9. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR)
10. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)