Furusato Triumphs in Dramatic, Rain-Shortened Malaysian Moto3 Grand Prix
Japanese rider Taiyo Furusato delivered a commanding performance to win a rain-affected and shortened Moto3 Grand Prix at Sepang. The Honda Team Asia rider took control early, managing both pace and grip superbly before race officials red-flagged the contest due to worsening track conditions.
The race, reduced to 10 laps, demanded quick adaptation, not only from the riders but also from their teams managing Pirelli’s soft-compound tyres in the hot, humid Malaysian climate. Tyre temperature and surface wear became key talking points, as the switch from dry to damp track drastically altered the grip window.
Furusato’s smooth, balanced riding style helped preserve traction while rivals struggled with rear-tyre movement and braking instability. Teammate Mario Aji and others faced similar tyre-management challenges amid the changing surface, with the shortened distance limiting recovery opportunities.
For the Moto3 paddock, Sepang once again reinforced how tyre selection and heat management are often decisive factors, sometimes even more than raw pace, when the weather turns unpredictable in Malaysia.
Tyre-Spec Snapshot for the Malaysian Moto3 Race
- Supplier: Pirelli (exclusive to Moto2 & Moto3)
- Front Tyres: SC1 (Soft) / SC2 (Medium)
- Rear Tyres: SC1 (Soft) / SC2 (Medium)
- Track Demands:
- Long straights leading into heavy-braking zones, especially Turn 15 with negative banking
- High asphalt temperatures and humidity create an intense load on both tyres
- Focus on front-tyre heat management and rear-tyre endurance
- Condition Impact: Rain and temperature drop compressed tyre warm-up windows, making consistency a bigger challenge than outright speed.
