Hakim Danish finishes fourth in Malaysian Moto3 as home podium slips away on final corner
Hakim Danish started from the front row at Sepang and led the chase for second before missing a home Moto3 podium by 0.226s. Maximo Quiles took his 11th win of 2026.
Malaysian rider Hakim Danish came agonisingly close to a home podium at the Sepang International Circuit on Sunday, finishing fourth in the Moto3 race of the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Starting from third on the grid, the Aeon Credit-MT Helmets-MSI rider was in the podium places for much of the second half of the race but crossed the line just 0.226 seconds behind third-placed Alvaro Carpe. Newly crowned world champion Maximo Quiles won again.
A fight for second all race long
Quiles, riding for CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar, broke clear and won by 3.734 seconds, leaving a pack to battle over the remaining podium spots. Hakim held fourth through the early laps, moved up to third on lap 9 and briefly ran second on lap 11, giving the Sepang crowd plenty to cheer.
The KTM rider was then passed by Indonesia's Veda Pratama and Spain's David Almansa, and the group stayed tightly bunched to the flag. Hakim made one final attempt at the last corner, but the move took him slightly wide and he could not hold the position. Carpe took third, 4.184s behind Quiles, with Hakim fourth at +4.410s and Almansa fifth at +4.914s.
Moto3 top 10 at Sepang
- Maximo Quiles (KTM)
- Veda Pratama (Honda) +3.734s
- Alvaro Carpe (KTM) +4.184s
- Hakim Danish (KTM) +4.410s
- David Almansa (KTM) +4.914s
- Joel Esteban (KTM) +9.403s
- Adrian Fernandez (Honda) +9.514s
- David Munoz (KTM) +9.533s
- Brian Uriarte (KTM) +9.650s
- Eddie O'Shea (Honda) +12.064s
Quiles keeps rolling, Pratama shines
Quiles had already wrapped up the 2026 title in Indonesia, and Sepang was his 11th win of the season and his fifth in the last six races. Second place was a career-best result for Pratama, an Indonesian rookie with Honda Team Asia who started eighth. It was the second podium of his career and a strong day for South-East Asian riders.
Where Hakim stands after Malaysia
The 13 points for fourth lift Hakim to 116 points and ninth place in the championship, which Quiles leads on 376. Almansa is second on 228, with Uriarte and Carpe level on 205.
Speaking afterwards to national news agency Bernama, Hakim said he had given everything and was happy with his race even though he wanted a podium. He added that the Honda bikes' strength through the fast corners had made it hard to stay with the leaders. He has already stood on the podium at the Italian and Czech rounds this year.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim publicly backed the Malaysian after the race, urging him not to be discouraged.
Three rounds remain: Qatar (8 November), Portugal (22 November) and Valencia (29 November).
Key takeaways
- Hakim Danish finished fourth from third on the grid, 0.226s off the podium.
- Maximo Quiles won by 3.734s for his 11th victory of 2026.
- Indonesian rookie Veda Pratama took a career-best second.
- Hakim is ninth in the standings on 116 points with three rounds left.
FAQ
Where did Hakim Danish finish in the 2026 Malaysian Moto3 race? Fourth, 4.410 seconds behind winner Maximo Quiles and 0.226 seconds behind third-placed Alvaro Carpe.
Who won the Moto3 race at Sepang? Maximo Quiles, the 2026 Moto3 world champion, won by 3.734 seconds from Veda Pratama.
When is Hakim Danish's next race? The Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail, with races on Sunday 8 November.
Sources: Malay Mail, Bernama, MCNews.com.au, Corsedimoto, AMCN