19/11/2023

Sasaki's heroic title fight in Qatar remains unrewarded

Ayumu Sasaki fought like a lion to the bitter end at the Qatar Grand Prix on the Losail International Circuit to bring the Moto3 class title decision to Valencia, but in the end, it was not enough. With a heavy heart, the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP rider lost the coveted trophy to Jaume Masia after 16 merciless laps. Team-mate Collin Veijer finished the penultimate race of the season winning six points in tenth place.

These are scenes that are as heartbreaking as they are devastating, and yet Ayumu Sasaki's performance deserves the utmost respect.
Everyone in the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto3 team tried to prevent the world championship from being decided at the Qatar Grand Prix. First and foremost, of course, Sasaki himself, who rode the race of his life in Losail. Over 16 laps, the Japanese rider fought with everything at his disposal. As the leader at times and despite the 23-year-old having to fend off three block passes from Masia and his team-mate Adrian Fernandez, he even fought his way back from the depths of the top 10 towards the end of the race. Sasaki gave it his all, even setting the fastest race lap once again, but time ran out for him to make up enough places to prevent a title decider in Doha.
An almost highsider a few corners before the end sealed his fate. History was irreversibly written. His sixth position was not enough to prevent Jaume Masia, who ultimately won the race, from being crowned the 2023 Moto3 World Champion.
Ayumu Sasaki has already achieved great things this Moto3 season and still has the chance to become the runner-up. In Valencia, he will try to put this bitter disappointment behind him and keep his head held high to clinch the vice title and the team world championship for the German racing team.

Collin Veijer, the winner from Malaysia, tried everything in his power to give his team-mate the support and help he desperately needed, but there was no mercy in the 19-strong leading group. The 18-year-old rookie already lost a few positions at the start, but quickly fought his way up to the top four, but was ultimately unable to keep up with the pace. Even though Veijer can be happy about another six championship points and seventh place in the championship, he feels for his team-mate who was finally beaten in the title fight.

The entire LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto3 team is proud of Ayumu Sasaki and, despite the overwhelming disappointment, is looking forward to the grand finale in Valencia from the 24th - 26th of November, where there will still be plenty to win and celebrate.

Results

Race
1. Jaume MASIA/ SPA/ HONDA
2. David ALONSO/ SPA/ GASGAS – (+0.068)
3. Deniz ÖNCÜ/ TUR/ KTM – (+0.163)
6. Ayumu SASAKI/ JAP/ HUSQVARNA – (+1.566)
10. Collin VEIJER/ NED/ HUSQVARNA – (+2.019)

World Championship
1. Jaume MASIA/ SPA/ – 271
2. Ayumu SASAKI/ JAP – 243 (-28)
3. David Alonso/ SPA - 225 (-46)
7. Collin VEIJER/ NED – 136 (-135)

Team classification
1. LIQUI MOLY HUSQVARNA INTACT GP – 379
2. LEOPARD RACING – 344 (- 35)
3. RED BULL KTM AJO – 323 (- 56)

Ayumu Sasaki

P6 - (+1.566)
Moto3 World Championship 2023 - P2 - 243 Points

"It was a typical Moto3 race today. I knew that there would be a big group fighting at the front and Masia would also be there, and many others like Holgado. At the beginning of the race, I felt very comfortable, although the battle became intense but was always almost fair. However, Masia was very aggressive once or twice in turn six. But that was okay. But when his teammate came along, he closed the throttle once in the middle of the track, which led to a big gap to the leading group. Somehow, I tried to overtake him, but he immediately overtook me again. So, I had no choice but to find a moment when I could overtake him again and immediately open up a gap. I managed to do that, but I ran out of time. Although I rode my fastest laps and gave it my all on the last two laps, it wasn't enough to catch up with the leading group. It's a big disappointment to lose the championship in this way because I really wanted to fight with Masia until the race in Valencia."

Collin Veijer

P10 - (+2.019)
Moto3 World Championship 2023 - P7 - 136 Points

"It was a bad race that began with a terrible start. I couldn't get off the line and I don't know why. The pace was also very slow because there was so much overtaking every time. Over the whole distance, the positions changed quite often during a lap. Towards the end, I tried to attack as much as possible, but it was very difficult. Overall, the race was terrible because I never felt good until the finish line. We should put it behind us quickly and concentrate on the last race. I feel sorry for Ayumu because he was fighting like a lion to keep his title hope alive."

Peter Öttl

Team Manager

"The weekend began on Friday afternoon with a difficult practice one. But the whole team did a great job, and we were already very competitive in the second session with both riders. This was confirmed in the third session, as both Ayumu and Collin made it straight into Q2. That was very important, and with positions four and five on the second row of the grid, we had a very good starting position for the race. Ayumu did a super strong race today. He fought like a lion to the finish line and really gave it his all right up to the last lap. But to lose a world championship in this way, as everyone saw, is very unfortunate and it makes us really sad. On the other hand, Collin did everything he could to support his team-mate as best he could. However, he had to contend with minor technical problems that limited his competitiveness somewhat. That's why he wasn't able to make a decisive impact. Nevertheless, both riders and the entire team did a great job this weekend. But now we set our focus on Valencia to win the team classification there. And if Ayumu takes the runner-up title and Collin secures seventh place in the overall standings, which he claimed today, then we really will have a successful season behind us."

Qatar GP 2023 – Sunday Moto3

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