The final chapter of the 2026 Sepang MotoGP test is unfolding, and it's a day packed with drama and high-speed action. But here's where it gets controversial: Yamaha's new V4 engine, sidelined earlier due to a technical glitch, is back on track, reigniting debates about its reliability and potential impact on the upcoming season. Will it be a game-changer or a costly experiment? Only time will tell.
After the Shakedown test dominated by Honda's Aleix Espargaro, the official test kicked off with a bang. Reigning champion Marc Marquez, returning from injury, put Ducati at the top on Day 1, clocking a blistering 1:57.018s. And this is the part most people miss: Joan Mir responded on Day 2 with the first sub-1:57 lap of the year (1:56.874s) for Honda, before rain halted further progress. But the real question is: Can Honda maintain this momentum, or will Ducati's dominance prevail?
Yamaha's return to testing on the final day is bittersweet. While their V4 is back in action, factory star Fabio Quartararo is sidelined with a broken finger, joining Jorge Martin and Fermin Aldeguer on the injury list. Testing runs from 10 am to 6 pm, split into two sessions with practice starts in between. The next pre-season test is set for Buriram on February 21-22, just before the Thai season opener.
Here’s the full breakdown of Day 3 results:
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time | Lap | Max (km/h) |
|-----|----------------|-----|--------------------------------|-----------|------|------------|
| 1 | Alex Marquez | SPA | BK8 Gresini Ducati (GP26) | 1:56.402s | 10/11 | 342.8 |
| 2 | F. Di Giannantonio | ITA | Pertamina VR46 Ducati (GP26) | +0.383s | 14/17 | 339.6 |
| 3 | F. Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | +0.527s | 11/12 | 341.7 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
*Rookie riders are marked with an asterisk.
Fastest Times Recap:
- Day 2: Joan Mir (Honda) - 1:56.874s
- Day 1: Marc Marquez (Ducati) - 1:57.018s
- 2025 Shakedown: Aleix Espargaro (Honda) - 1:57.173s
Official Sepang Records:
- Best Lap: Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) - 1:56.337s (2024)
- Fastest Race Lap: Alex Marquez (Ducati) - 1:58.873s (2023)
Combined Day 2 Times:
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time | Session |
|-----|----------------|-----|--------------------------------|-----------|---------|
| 1 | Joan Mir | SPA | Honda HRC Castrol (RC213V) | 1:56.874s | 1 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Combined Day 1 Times:
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time | Session |
|-----|----------------|-----|--------------------------------|-----------|---------|
| 1 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Ducati Lenovo (GP26) | 1:57.018s | 2 |
| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |
2025 Malaysian MotoGP Stats:
- Fastest Race Laps by Manufacturer: Ducati leads with Alex Marquez at 1:58.873s.
- Fastest Qualifying Laps: Ducati again tops with Francesco Bagnaia at 1:57.001s.
- Maximum Speeds: KTM's Pedro Acosta hit 341.7 km/h in Qualifying 2.
- Average Race Speeds: Honda's Joan Mir averaged 332.8 km/h.
Controversial Question: With Yamaha's V4 still unproven and Ducati and Honda trading blows, which manufacturer will dominate the 2026 season? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
