2019 Sepang MotoGP FP4 Result: Another Feather In Petronas’ Cap

The sky was replaced by one homogenous cloud in the lead up to the premier class’ final practice session but rainfall was modest and did not affect proceedings too much. Not intimidated by the rain flags waving around the track, Marc Marquez headed straight to the top of the timesheets while giving the soft rear tyre a good look – and good it did look but similar to the world champion’s pace on the medium. The Spaniard went unchallenged at the front until Fabio Quartararo decided to attack for top spot in the final five minutes. It was a familiar battle for the lead but it got an unexpected intruder when Valentino Rossi briefly picked up the lead – he didn’t get to keep it as brand new softs put Franco Morbidelli on top.

Rossi finished the session nearly two tenths down on his apprentice but seemed to have found some pace on the mediums. Andrea Dovizioso also made a step forward on his rhythm, taking him in the low 2:00s, and a late attack on fresh softs promoted him to third. Quartararo and Marquez had to settle for the remaining top five crumbs but less than four tenths off the lead. Maverick Viñales kept close to his two main rivals while having a look at the soft rear tyre too, but the Spaniard did not seem to shine as brightly as he did on the medium in FP3.

Joan Mir led the charge for Suzuki in seventh, with the Ducati trio of Danilo Petrucci, Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia completing the top ten – despite a late and rapid tumble for Bagnaia. Alex Rins got pushed back to 11th position, one full second slower than Morbidelli.

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