Álex Márquez ended the first day on the track at the Sepang circuit with the fifth best time, with the rider achieving the time towards the end of the practice session. The #73 was the best aboard of the Ducati Desmosedici GP23.
‘It was a tough day as we battled against the heat, but a positive one nonetheless: we’re still missing the pace we had last year, but the feeling is good’, Álex Márquez made this known in an official statement, before mentioning however that he needed something more, with the race pace in mind:
– We need to make another step forward tomorrow, have a good qualifying and keep our heads down.
Fifth, A. Márquez finished 0.617s behind Pecco Bagnaia, the number one of the day.