GASGAS FACTORY RACING TECH3 TRAVELS TO MALAYSIA FOR FIRST STOP OF NOVEMBER’S TRIPLE HEADER

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!

Championship: 16^th

Points: 67

"Batteries are fully recharged after one week at home, we are ready for another three races in a row, and I am really looking forward to the Grand Prix of Malaysia. We had a lot of track time back in winter with both the Shakedown Test and the Official Test. Knowing the layout already will help us a lot during the first day, so I am looking forward to starting a race week with decent knowledge of the circuit in MotoGP. Let’s continue to work well with the team, and try achieving a good result.”

Championship: 23^rd

Points: 12

"his week at home has been really good for me after the three races in a row. Indonesia and Thailand were very demanding because of the high temperatures, and I felt them a lot more than usual with my current physical conditions. I know that Malaysia will also be tough, although I hope that having had a week to rest will help me feel better. Sepang has always been a tricky track for me, but I was very competitive during the winter test. However, the bike has changed so much since then, so I don’t really know what to expect this weekend. Anyway, there are only three weekends left before the end of this ‘special’ season, so I hope that I can have fun on the bike, starting with the Malaysian GP."

Team Manager

"We are getting close to the end of the 2023 season as GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 is just about to start November’s tripleheader, with the first stop to be held at the Sepang International Circuit for the Grand Prix of Malaysia. The circuit is based on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur and is a traditional winter test destination for MotoGP. We were here early in February with Augusto Fernandez making his first steps in the MotoGP class with six days to accustom himself to the GASGAS RC16. He rode many laps, gathered a lot of information, so it will be the first time this season that our rookie is heading to a race week with experience and data, so we are looking forward to seeing how he has improved after almost a full season in MotoGP. He improved qualifying over the last few races, and we need to try converting this progress into points for the remaining rounds. Regarding his teammate, Pol Espargaro left the winter test in Sepang with the fastest lap of the Pierer Mobility bikes in his pocket. Over the last couple of rounds, he has struggled a lot with the grip, but I am sure that he will be able to feel comfortable again in Malaysia. We want to fight for a good team result, so let’s give everything we have, as there aren’t many dances left this season!"

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