The day we were all waiting for finally came, as our brand new Red Bull KTM Tech3 RC16s roared for the first time of 2025 on Wednesday morning at the Sepang International Circuit for the first day of the Malaysia MotoGP™ Test. Our exciting new line-up, composed of Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini, completed their first day of the season on track, as they rode between the both of them a total of 110 laps at the end of a fully dry day.
Malaysia MotoGP™ Test
MotoGP™'s #12, Maverick Vinales, got his day started at around 10:30 this morning, ready to reunite with his new RC16 for the first time since the Barcelona Test back in November. The main goal of the day for the new Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider was clearly to get the laps in, get the feeling going, and work on the bike setting to understand how to ride it in a comfortable way. The Spaniard got the laps in, with already 49 laps done and dusted at half day. Positive feeling so far. While most riders stopped for lunch, Maverick did not, and he was one of the few to remain on track to continue gaining valuable track time, a bit worried that the rain would come. The feeling kept getting better and better for Top Gun, and a late improvement to 1'58.552 placed him 13th of the day, just behind the two Red Bull KTM Factory bikes, and under a second from the fastest lap of the day. Positive first day at work with 63 laps in the pocket, to be continued tomorrow for Maverick!
Enea Bastianini was out on track not long after his new teammate to get this three day-testing program started. Coming from a totally different machine, ‘Bestia’, who finished 4th in the championship in 2024, worked in a very smooth way today. The main goal, just like Vinales, was to ride, get the first laps in and the first feeling, without the pressure from making a fast lap. Half way through the day, the #23 had completed 36 laps with a best in 1’59.597 (+1.843). As he returned on track later in the afternoon just before 4pm, Bastianini crashed at turn 4 into the gravels, but no harm for the new Red Bull KTM Tech3 ambassador. As he rejoined the track after a bike swap, the Italian continued his plan until the very last minutes. He sits in 19th at the end of play of day 1, but plenty of track time remains for Bastianini to get his hands around the RC16. We’ll be back for day 2 tomorrow, from 10:00 local time (GMT+8) to 18:15!
MAVERICK VIÑALES: "It feels nice to be back on the bike after such a long time! In Montmelo, I felt great on the bike, and I am really happy because the feeling was the same today, we really enjoyed the day. Our mentality for these next few days is to keep learning, make many laps without testing too many things, and trying to understand how far we can push. Today, the feeling was good when we tried to push a bit more, and it looks like I did quite well since we are close to the other KTM bikes, so I am happy. Let's continue to take little steps one after the other!"
ENEA BASTIANINI: "The first day was good, it was a very clean day. We just wanted to understand the bike. I did not have any particular expectation on the feeling, but honestly, the feedback from the first laps was very positive, and we understood the tyres and the limit. I wanted to try finishing the day with a good time attack, but it got cold very early, so I did not want to take any risk! Somehow, the feeling today was really natural, which is fantastic. It feels like my riding style suits well to this machinery, I was able to feel comfortable straight away. Of course, we will need more track time to understand how much I can push, how late I can brake, but I am excited to find it out!"
DAY 1 SESSION RESULTS
1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA), Yamaha MotoGP Team, 1'57.555
2. Marc Marquez (SPA), Duacti Lenovo Team, +0.051
3. Alex Marquez (SPA), Gresini Racing MotoGP, +0.183
13. Maverick Vinales (SPA), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +0.997
19. Enea Bastianini (ITA), Red Bull KTM Tech3, +2.042
TRACK RECORDS
All Time Record: 2024 - F. Bagnaia (ITA) - 1'56.337, 171.5 km/h
Best Race Lap: 2023 - M. Marquez (SPA) - 1'58.979, 167.7 km/h
Best Pole: 2024 - F. Bagnaia (ITA) - 1'56.337, 171.5 km/h
Top Speed: 2015 - A. Iannone (ITA) - 339.6 km/h
