2018

At the top, all systems were normal as Marc Marquez topped a blisteringly hot morning warm-up session at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand with the rejuvenated Movistar Yamahas second and third.

The term “best fans” has become something of a cliché in Formula 1 circles.

Top 15 classification after SS18 at Wales Rally GB

Top 15 classification after SS18 from Wales Rally GB, the eleventh round of the 2018 World Rally Championship. 1. Sebastien Ogier FRA M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC 17 2hr 31m 22.5s 2. Jari-Matti Latvala FIN Toyota Yaris Gazoo Racing +4.4s

Valentino Rossi admits his front row start for the Thailand MotoGP has come as a pleasant ‘surprise’ after the Yamaha rider’s recent struggles on the M1.

Can Yamaha cause an upset - and perhaps even end their record MotoGP win drought - in Sunday's inaugural Thailand MotoGP? Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales will start second and fourth on the grid respectively, but more importantly both have looked fast in terms of race pace.

Ten years on from the decision to switch to a control tyre in MotoGP, three of the championship’s top riders have reflected on one of the most significant changes ever in the premier class.

Lewis Hamilton wants Formula 1 tyre supplier Pirelli to create much softer compounds for the 2019 season to put an end to “ridiculous” one-stop races.

Cal Crutchlow will start Sunday's inaugural Thailand MotoGP from fifth on the grid, as the leading Independent rider. But the Englishman isn't sure what to expect from the race, especially given the 'strange' upturn in form for Yamaha.

Top 15 classification after SS14 at Wales Rally GB

Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso says Sunday’s first ever MotoGP race in Thailand will be a war of attrition. Dovizioso qualified on the front row in third place behind pole man Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi.

Top 15 classification after SS14 from Wales Rally GB, the eleventh round of the 2018 World Rally Championship. 1. Ott Tanak EST Toyota Yaris Gazoo Racing 1hr 50m 53.2s 2. Sebastien Ogier FRA M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC 17 +48.0s

With all of the additional news and notes from Suzuka following qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday, Crash.net F1 Digital Editor Luke Smith brings you his paddock notebook.

While Johann Zarco has been ‘given a smile and happiness’ from Yamaha’s unexpected speed turnaround in Thailand, he is still bracing for a challenging race given the demands on the tyres in the hot conditions.

Mercedes will “keep the options open” over whether it uses team orders again during the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, according to team boss Toto Wolff. 

Twelves months ago at Suzuka, Ferrari completed its capitulation in the race for the Formula 1 championship as a retirement for Sebastian Vettel early on all but handed the drivers’ title to Lewis Hamilton.

Marc Marquez said he performed better in QP1 than he did in the decisive second qualifying session after the Repsol Honda rider secured pole for the Thailand MotoGP round, despite a costly spill in FP3.

Daniel Ricciardo says blame lies with Renault’s manufacturing of a throttle actuator for ending his qualifying early for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Qualifying results from the 2018 Thailand Moto2 Grand Prix, round 15 of 19.

Marquez makes it through Qualifying 1 to take pole position for the first ever Thai MotoGP, ahead of Rossi and Dovizioso.

Michelin may have brought an expanded line-up of four (stiffer) rear tyres to this weekend's inaugural Thailand MotoGP, but 'the only tyre we suggest for the race is the hard one'.

McLaren has denied it missed the deadline to submit its Formula 1 tyre selection for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, with the team claiming it expected the MCL33 car to work better with harder compounds.

Fernando Alonso was convinced he was going to make it into Q2 after turning in “one of the best laps” of his Formula 1 career during Japanese Grand Prix qualifying.

Full MotoGP qualifying results from Thailand