Hakim Danish climbs from 21st to 13th in Moto3 Japan GP, moves up to seventh in standings

Malaysia's Hakim Danish made the best of a poor qualifying session at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday 4 October. He started the Moto3 race at Motegi from 21st on the grid and worked his way up to 13th at the flag, which earned him four championship points.

That was enough to lift the 19-year-old to seventh in the Moto3 standings, with 105 points from 16 rounds. He races for AEON Credit-MT Helmets-MSi on a KTM.

A recovery ride at Motegi

Hakim crossed the line in 33 minutes 6.817 seconds, about 21 seconds behind the winner. From that far back on the grid, a points finish was a sound result. Four riders did not finish, including Thailand's Kiattisak Singhapong.

The win went to David Almansa, who started from pole after setting an all-time Moto3 qualifying lap record at the circuit. He held off championship leader Maximo Quiles by just 0.046 seconds in a close finish. Alvaro Carpe was third, a little over two seconds further back.

The race had its share of penalties. Brian Uriarte had to serve a double long-lap penalty because his team worked on his bike after the three-minute grid signal. Home rider Zen Mitani received the same penalty for a jump start.

The title picture

Quiles leads the championship with 326 points, 127 ahead of Almansa on 199 and Carpe on 191. Six rounds remain, so Quiles could clinch the title as early as the Indonesian round if he leaves Mandalika at least 125 points clear.

Hakim is not in that fight, but the move into the top seven matters for his first full season in the class. His highlight remains his maiden Grand Prix win at Brno in June, when he came from 14th to beat the field in the Czech round.

Next stop Mandalika, then a home race at Sepang

The Moto3 class goes to the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit in Lombok, Indonesia, for round 17 on Sunday 11 October. Lombok uses the same time as Malaysia (UTC+8), so local fans will not need to adjust for a time difference.

After Australia's Phillip Island round on 25 October, the paddock comes to the Petronas Sepang Circuit for the Malaysian Grand Prix on 1 November. That will be Hakim's first home Grand Prix as a full-time Moto3 rider, and a run of points-scoring finishes before then would help him hold or improve his top-10 position going into the last three races in Qatar, Portugal and Valencia.

Key takeaways

• Hakim Danish finished 13th in the Moto3 Japanese GP after starting 21st, scoring four points.
• He is now seventh in the standings with 105 points.
• David Almansa beat Maximo Quiles by 0.046s for the win at Motegi.
• Quiles leads by 127 points and could seal the title in Indonesia.
• The Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang is on 1 November.

FAQ

Where did Hakim Danish finish in the Moto3 Japanese Grand Prix? He finished 13th after starting from 21st on the grid, scoring four points.

What is Hakim Danish's position in the 2026 Moto3 standings? He is seventh with 105 points after 16 rounds.

When is the next Moto3 race? The Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika on Sunday 11 October, followed by Australia on 25 October and Malaysia at Sepang on 1 November.

Sources: Bernama, Crash.net, MotoGP.com, Detik