Deniz Öncü and Jose Antonio Rueda are in Malaysia to begin the third and final triple-header of the year.

The Sepang International Circuit hosts the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend, the eighteenth round of the 2023 Moto3 season. With everything still to be decided, the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo come into the event keen to continue taking good results in the last three races.

Öncü has gone from strength to strength this season, and is enjoying his best year in the Moto3 class. After victory in Australia and a fifth place in Thailand, the Turkish rider is in top form to compete in what will be his last races in the class before making his move up to Moto2. This will be the second time that Öncü visits the Malaysian circuit, where last year he was tenth. With 191 points, he is fifth in the overall standings.

Rueda faces the end of his first year as a World Championship rider with plenty of motivation. The Spanish Red Bull KTM Ajo rider continues his learning process and is progressing on circuits that are new to him, something that represents an extra challenge and forces him to quickly adapt to the demanding conditions of tracks such as the Sepang International Circuit. He is currently eighth in the overall standings with 111 points.

Red Bull KTM Ajo are second in the Team standings with 302 points. In 2019 they achieved victory in Malaysia with Jorge Martín and, in 2016, were on the podium thanks to Bo Bendsneyder’s third place. The 15-laps Moto3 Malaysian GP race will begin at 12 PM local time this Sunday 12th November.

Circuit information – Petronas Sepang International Circuit
Length: 5.543 m / 3.444 miles
Width: 16 m / 42.65 ft.
Left corners: 5
Right corners: 10
Longest straight: 920 m / 0.572 miles
Constructed: 1998
Modified: 2016

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“In Thailand we were able to fight for victory, although in the end it was not to be. I feel strong and am looking forward to Malaysia and this last triple header of the year. It’s time to give that extra push in the final stretch and continue enjoying ourselves, and working together as we have done before, in these last races in Moto3.”

#99 JOSE ANTONIO RUEDA

“We arrived in Malaysia after a week at home that has allowed us to recharge our batteries for these last three races of my first Moto3 season. Malaysia is a big, long circuit, with a lot of humidity and conditions that can be difficult until we adapt. I really want to give everything to be as high up as possible.”