Hakim Danish Climbs From 22nd to Score at Motegi as Almansa Holds Off Quiles by 0.06s

Malaysia's Hakim Danish turned a difficult Saturday into a points finish in this morning's Moto3 Japanese Grand Prix. Up front, David Almansa won by 0.06 seconds and stopped Maximo Quiles from clinching the title at Motegi.

Hakim's recovery

Saturday did not go well for the AEON Credit - MT Helmets - MSI rider. Indonesian site RiderTua reported that Hakim was fourth at the halfway point of Q1, but he could not keep that pace. His 1:55.856 was not enough to reach Q2, and he started 22nd.

The 17-lap race went better. Sumbawanews reported that he took until about lap 10 to reach the points positions and then kept moving forward. A late incident on the last lap reshuffled the group around him, and he finished 12th, scoring four points.

The midfield was very close. Motorsport Week said riders from ninth to 15th were separated by less than a second at the flag. Hakim finished just behind Indonesian rival Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia), who was 11th.

The ASEAN points battle

Hakim arrived in Japan seventh in the championship with 101 points, according to Newswav, so today's result takes him to 105. TMCBlog reports Veda on 105 points after the race as well. That would leave the two Southeast Asian riders level as Moto3 heads to Veda's home race at Mandalika next weekend. Final positions depend on the official standings.

Before the Asian rounds, Hakim's team said looking after his fitness was the priority through the back-to-back schedule: "the main thing is ensuring Hakim Danish's health and fitness are at their best."

Almansa denies Quiles

At the front, pole-sitter Almansa, who set an all-time Motegi lap record of 1:54.572 on Saturday, led most of the race. Brian Uriarte briefly took the lead twice. Then KTM Ajo were found to have worked on his bike after the three-minute board, and he was given a double long lap penalty. He still recovered to finish fourth.

Quiles ran wide at Turn 11 on lap four but fought back. On the final lap he was right on Almansa's rear wheel looking for a way past. Almansa held on to win by 0.06s, with Alvaro Carpe third.

Classification (top 12)

1. David Almansa (Intact GP)
2. Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Aspar)
3. Alvaro Carpe (KTM Ajo)
4. Brian Uriarte (KTM Ajo)
5. Rico Salmela (KTM Tech3)
6. Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA)
7. David Munoz (Intact GP)
8. Ryusei Yamanaka (MSi)
9. Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA)
10. Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power)
11. Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia)
12. Hakim Danish (MSi)

Motorsport Week reported that Quiles needed to leave Japan more than 150 points clear to clinch the title. Almansa's win means Quiles leads by 127 points, and GPblog said he "will have a better chance" in Indonesia.

Key takeaways

• Hakim Danish went from 22nd on the grid to 12th and four points.
• Almansa beat Quiles by 0.06s, so the title fight goes on to Mandalika.
• Hakim (on 105, from his reported pre-race total) and Veda Pratama (reported on 105) appear level in the standings.
• Uriarte finished fourth despite a double long lap penalty.

FAQ

Where did Hakim Danish finish at Motegi? 12th, scoring four points after starting 22nd.

Has Maximo Quiles won the 2026 Moto3 title? Not yet. He finished second at Motegi and leads by 127 points, with the next chance in Indonesia.

When is the next Moto3 race? Next weekend at Mandalika, Indonesia, as the Asian swing continues towards Sepang.

Sources: GPblog, Motorsport Week, Crash.net, RiderTua, Sumbawanews, TMCBlog, Newswav, Corse di Moto