Franco Morbidelli made it three different Yamaha riders to lead a practice session so far during the Malaysian grand prix weekend as he rocketed to the fastest time in FP3.
The Italian banged in a 1:58.7 on his final FP3 effort to secure the top spot-a time just over a tenth slower than team-mate Fabio Quartararo’s lap record from Friday-to lead the Frenchman in the session despite sprinkles of rain in the closing stages.
Quartararo could only manage a 1:58.977 in this session-0.401 slower than his Friday benchmark- and 0.216 down on his team-mate.
Marc Marquez and Maverick Vinales were next to guarantee themselves a Q2 spot with the third and fourth positions in the combined table ahead of Andrea Dovizioso’s Ducati, with Jack Miller a strong sixth for Pramac Racing.
Francesco Bagnaia again impressed with the seventh fastest combined time-and sixth in FP3- on the Pramac run-GP18 Ducati machine, while Valentino Rossi also secured a pole shootout berth with the eighth fastest combined time.
Alex Rins scraped through in ninth as the sole Suzuki representative heading directly to Q2, as Johann Zarco stunned to out-perform team-mate Cal Crutchlow and snatch the final spot in the combined top ten on his final flyer in only his second weekend with the LCR squad, managing the eighth best time in FP3.
Zarco’s impressive speed therefore relegated the Brit to 12th overall in the combined classification behind Joan Mir, the pair leading the rest into battle for the final two pole shootout places in Q1.
Zarco’s session wasnt without drama though as he suffered a slow speed crash at Turn 1 just minutes into the 45 minute test, running wide after he out-braked himself and losing the rear on the slippery run-off on the outside of the corner.
He soon remounted and got going with only superficial damage to his RC213-V though.
Aleix Espargaro was unable to match his Friday speed and slipped to 13th, but will surely be a threat for one of the Q2 progression slots, while Danilo Petrucci’s recent struggles continued in a lowly 14th overall.
Jorge Lorenzo’s misery also continued as he closed out the session 17th overall, over a second down on Zarco’s effort.
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