- The Chang International Circuit in Buriram hosted the opening round of the calendar.
- Fifth consecutive season of MT Helmets’ World Championship project alongside the MSi Racing Team.
- Hakim Danish finished 18th and Ryusei Yamanaka ended 24th after a crash.
- First Grand Prix for the new MT KRE2 PLUS.
The 2026 Moto3 World Championship kicked off at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram (Thailand), the venue for the season opener and the starting point of MT Helmets’ fifth consecutive season in the World Championship alongside the MSi Racing Team.
On Saturday, both riders secured their place in Q2. Ryusei Yamanaka advanced directly, while Hakim Danish confirmed his spot after progressing through Q1, completing a solid qualifying session for the team.
Sunday’s race officially launched the season. Ryusei Yamanaka suffered a crash during the race but was able to rejoin and finish in 24th position. Meanwhile, Hakim Danish crossed the finish line in 18th place in his first full race as a main rider within the structure.
The Thai Grand Prix also marked the competition debut of the new MT KRE2 PLUS, the latest evolution of MT Helmets’ racing helmet in the World Championship.
The calendar will now continue with the Brazilian Grand Prix, scheduled from March 20 to 22 in Goiânia, the second round of the season.
Statements
24th RYUSEI YAMANAKA
>> Moto3 MT Rider
“We improved a lot throughout the weekend in terms of base setup and I felt good with the bike again. I’m happy with that progress, but unfortunately I crashed during the race. We need to analyze what happened because it was a bit of a strange crash for me. Before that, I felt comfortable. Now we have two weeks ahead to keep working and prepare for the next round in Brazil.”
18th HAKIM DANISH
>> Moto3 MT Rider
“I am still in the process of finding my rhythm and adapting to Moto3. We need to work on the setup to make the bike easier to handle. My goal for the next race is to keep improving my riding style and refine some technical aspects. I also want to continue strengthening communication with the team so we can be even more in sync. The Brazilian GP will be a new circuit for everyone, and I’m very motivated to take it on.”
