12/11/2023

Tulovic finishes Malaysian GP in P24 despite crash

Unfortunately, the weekend of the Malaysian Grand Prix did not end with the desired positive result for the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 team. After Darryn Binder was unable to start due to injury, an early slide ruined Lukas Tulovic's race and the chance of scoring points.

Starting the race from 24th position, the German Lukas Tulovic got through the first 5.54 km lap well and immediately made up numerous places. With the pace the German showed today, hopes for points in the Malaysia GP were high. However, the mix and the aggressive duels increased the pressure right at the start of the 17-lap race. After just two laps and already being in P17, a bump in the tarmac proved fatal for the 23-year-old as he overtook Taiga Hada. A front wheel slide ruined his race, and although Tulovic was able to continue and finish the 18th race of the season in 24th place, the gaps to the front made finishing in the points hopeless from then on.

Darryn Binder, who suffered a horror crash on Saturday, is hoping to attack again in the 19th race of the season in just one week's time at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar and make his 150th start in the World Championship.

Results

Race
1. Fermín ALDEGUER/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO
2. Pedro ACOSTA/ SPA/ KALEX – (+7.128)
3. Marcos RAMIREZ/ SPA/ KALEX – (+9.558)
24. Lukas TULOVIC/ GER/ KALEX – (+1'20.633)

World Championship
1. Pedro ACOSTA / SPA / 320.5
2. Tony ARBOLINO / ITA / 243.5 (-77)
3. Jake DIXON/ GBR/ 183 (-137.5)
19. Darryn BINDER / RSA / 32 (-288.5)
24. Lukas TULOVIC / GER / 12 (-308.5)

Lukas Tulovic

P24 - (+1'20.633)
Moto2 World Championship 2023 - P24 - 12 Points

"It's very annoying because my start was great and in the second corner, I recognized early the chaos that was brewing because everyone was going crazy on the inside. That's why I chose the outside line, which paid off very well because I got up to P17. In the middle of the second lap, I had Hada in front of me, who was on the limit and had slides everywhere. So, I prepared my overtaking manoeuvre in the right-hand bend before the back straight, but I hit a bump there and lost the front wheel. It's a great shame and I'm incredibly sorry for the team, because, after such a strong start and very good preparation in terms of race pace, a lot could have been possible today. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the whole team for throwing everything away today in a situation where a lot was possible, I definitely could’ve scored some points. After the crash, I re-joined the race, which was good practice, but hopeless. I'll take the positives with me, and we'll be back in attack mode in a week's time. Finally, I want to wish Darryn all the best for a speedy recovery."

Jürgen Lingg

Team Manager

"First of all, I would like to congratulate our Moto3 team on their double victory today. We are delighted for Peter and his entire team. They did a great job all weekend and crowned it with this amazing one-two in the race. Collin and Ayumu delivered a top performance in a tough but always fair race. So, massive congratulations once again! Especially to Collin, because the first Grand Prix win is always something very special and I'm also delighted for his crew chief Stefan Kirsch.
As far as our Moto2 team is concerned, somehow it wasn't meant to be. It's very telling because Lukas actually had the pace to finish in the points today. So, it's very annoying that this little mistake happened to him. A conciliatory end to the weekend would have been good for our Moto2 guys and we really would have liked that. But it doesn't help, it is what it is, and we will continue to fight to turn things around soon. We'll be back next week for the next attempt.
Darryn was once again dogged by bad luck. This is already his third injury this year. I've never experienced anything like this in my long career, so I'm at a loss for words. But we also have to look on the bright side, because the injuries are not as bad as we feared. This incident could have turned out very differently. To be honest, we have to be happy with the situation as it is, because, with a bit of luck, Darryn will even be able to ride again next week. We are keeping our fingers crossed for him."

Malaysia GP 2023 – Sunday Moto2

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