An accident at the start, from the second turn, caused an interruption of around twenty minutes, in a climate of concern in view of the chilling images of the scene. When he fell, Australian Jack Miller (KTM) hit the rear wheel of Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) with his head, who, unbalanced, also ended up in the gravel. The first medical examinations did not detect any “serious injury” for the Australian pilot, according to the organizers.
At the second start, Bagnaia and Martin resumed their mano a mano in spectacular fashion. The Italian, who started from pole, took the best start, but the Spaniard seemed not to want to settle for second place. The two drivers overtook each other several times during the first three laps, and even touched each other, but without making the mistake that could have jeopardized their world championship projects.
The title of world champion seems promised to Martin, who finished on the second step of the podium after a spectacular race. “Mathematically, it’s possible, but we know it’s difficult. In Barcelona, anything can happen. I fell hard while leading the sprint race (in May). The conditions will be tougher than in May,” said Bagnaia. His rival has a 24-point lead at the time of leaving Sepang where neither the heat nor the hazards of a GP upset by a red flag in the first round have disturbed him. The Spaniard is in an ideal position to win his first crown in the premier class at the next GP, the last of the season.
