One small but important week to recharge the batteries was all GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 needed before starting another three rounds in a row of MotoGP™ action, with November’s triple header starting with the Malaysian leg at the traditional Sepang International Circuit, located in the outskirts of historical capital city Kuala Lumpur. It seems like a long time ago when you have seventeen rounds in the bag, but both Augusto Fernandez and Pol Espargaro benefited from crucial track time in Malaysia back in February this year during the Official Sepang Test, so both will be looking forward to heading to a new race week with already data and a strong base to work from.
Despite seeing his qualifying performances improve lately, rookie Augusto Fernandez has not quite been able yet to convert his better grid positions into points during the races, and it is something that the rookie is now targeting. Having already benefited from six days on track during the winter tests at the Sepang International Circuit, the rookie will certainly be looking forward to finally being able to approach a race week with data and experience in the MotoGP™ class. Taking that into consideration in addition to his hunger for results as his first season in the main class is coming to an end, Augusto Fernandez will be hoping to achieve both a strong qualifying and score points at the Malaysian Grand Prix. His teammate Pol Espargaro was very competitive during the winter test back in February at the Sepang International Circuit. However, the story could be a bit different as the Spaniard has not quite been enjoying his ride lately, after encountering some struggles with the grip over the last couple of rounds, which saw him thrumble during the races despite strong starts and early fast laps. The Spaniard will be hungry to finally get a good result this week at the Grand Prix of Malaysia, but the conditions will be again very challenging with the usual hot and humid weather of Sepang.
As the Malaysian GP marks the first round of the final three of 2023, you don’t want to miss this one as the battle for the crown gets more and more intense! The action will start on Friday at 10:45 local time (GMT+8) with Free Practice 1, followed by Practice in the afternoon at 15:00, as both Augusto Fernandez and Pol Espargaro will try to make their way to the top 10 for those precious direct Q2 tickets. The first highlights of the weekend will be on Saturday with qualifying kicking off at 10:50 LT, shortly after Free Practice 2. It will then be time for the Tissot Sprint, as only three remain this year, and lights will go out at 15:00 local time for ten laps, of 5.543 km each. Finally, the main show will happen on Sunday with the MotoGP™ main race, as riders will line up on the grid for a 15:00 (GMT+8)-start. Here we come, Malaysia!
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Championship: 16th
Points: 67
![](/images/2023/Portraits/Pol-B-black-v4.png)
Championship: 23rd
Points: 12
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