Red Bull KTM’s Brad Binder set the Friday pace in MotoGP after rain hit the Sepang circuit for afternoon practice. WithU Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow was on dominant form in the challenging conditions as he reigned supreme in FP2 almost a second faster than Ducati Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia with Binder locking out the overall standings thanks to his morning 1’59.479.
Binder took charge as practice fired up in Malaysia for the first time in three years. The South African’s final effort bettering Phillip Island victor Alex Rins by a mere 0.097s with Marc Marquez continuing to show his returning potential on the Repsol Honda from third.
Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo had initially held court in the morning session before the final runs shuffled the pack.
The reigning champion opting not to utilise fresh rubber for the late-session shootout as he settled for seventh, with title rival Bagnaia doing likewise from fourth places behind.