Moto3: How did Jaume Masia win the title?

Jaume Masia was crowned the 2023 Moto3 World Champion but how did the season develop?

The 2023 season was Jaume Masia’s seventh year in the Moto3 World Championship, and his second with Leopard Racing. Masia took four race wins in the highly competitive Moto3 class, with consistency being key. He claimed 10 podiums throughout the year and wrapped up the title with one round to go.

The Championship began in Portugal, unlike previous years due to the renovations taking place in Qatar. After the first round, Masia was down in fifth position in the standings, ahead of Ayumu Sasaki. Daniel Holgado looked to have the early season momentum in his second season in the class.

It wasn’t until the third round of the season that Masia took his first podium of the year at COTA. Leaving America, Holgado was tied in the standings, with Masia making his way into fourth in the standings. He was ahead of his teammate at the time, Tatsuki Suzuki who was a further four points behind.

Masia continued with his form, claiming three podiums in a row but still no race wins to his name. One race remained before the summer break at the legendary TT Circuit Assen, where he took his first win of the year. He finished just 0.081 ahead of later Championship rival, Ayumu Sasaki.

This win promoted Masia to second in the Championship, just 16 points behind Daniel Holgado. The gap was closed on Holgado who suffered from his first no points of the season, finishing in 25^th.

It was a terrible start to the second half of the season, beginning at Silverstone after the summer break. Masia was out of the points at Silverstone after crashing out of an early lead. In Austria, bad luck continued with a mechanical issue, forcing the Spaniard to suffer from his first DNF.

Back on top after Barcelona

His momentum would pick up in Barcelona, claiming four podiums and two race wins in a row and putting him back into contention. Leaving Japan Masia led the title charge, leading Sasaki by six points. Daniel Holgado was in third but would suffer a further three poor results, ending his Championship hopes.

It turned out to be a two-horse race at the front with all eyes on the battle between Masia and Sasaki. It was the battle between two manufacturers Honda and Husqvarna (KTM) which took multiple shifts throughout the year.

Ayumu Sasaki suffered from an unlucky DNF in Thailand, one week after a crash on the sighting lap in Indonesia. Sasaki hit the back of David Munoz’s bike in Thailand after the Spaniard suffered from a mechanical issue. This put Sasaki on the back foot with three rounds remaining.

At Sepang for round 18 of the Moto3 World Championship Sasaki finished second, with his rookie teammate Colin Veijer snatching the race win. The next round in Qatar would be Masia’s first opportunity to wrap up the title.

The title decider

The race in Qatar would go down in the history books, creating controversy and opinions across social media. In the race, Masia showed some aggressive overtakes, pushing Sasaki wide when passing for the lead.

Drama unfolded after Sasaki lost a handful of positions before Leopard Racing rider Adrian Fernandez passed and ran Sasaki wide. On the final lap of the race with ground still, to make up, the Japanese rider made a mistake – almost high siding and losing time.

This allowed Jaume Masia to wrap up the Moto3 World Championship with one round remaining before he returned to Spain. Masia was delighted with the result and will move to Moto2 next season.

Masia said: “It’s hard to believe. It’s an amazing feeling. It took many years, with all the doubts, with all the injuries, with all the insecurities. I just want to thank my team and my family for believing in me the way they did. I dedicate this to my parents, for everything they have done for me.

“It’s been a tough few weeks, especially this last one. I was more nervous than usual, and it was very hard to manage.”

Ayumu Sasaki was gutted with the result but would be on the top step of the podium one week in Valencia. Speaking about the race in Qatar on social media, Mick Doohan said: “I’m in shock, no penalty for the riding standards shown by the winning rider, and team.” Ayumu Sasaki will also race in Moto2 next season, as he joins the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp team.

Next season will see the 2023 Moto3 rivals battle on track in the intermediate class, as they learn the brand-new Pirelli tyres. In Moto3, Angel Piqueras will replace Masia at Leopard Racing, hoping to follow in his footsteps. The first round of the season will take place at Qatar where drama will unfold again in March.

Image credit: motogp.com