John McPhee will start the Malaysian Grand Prix from 22nd on Sunday as his difficult visit to Sepang continued in qualifying.

It has been a weekend of struggles for the Scotsman on his Sterilgarda Husqvarna as quickly changeable weather added to the complications of Friday’s brake issues. A wet track in Saturday’s FP3 prevented the lightweight class from improving on their practice times and McPhee was sent to the Q1 fight.

A dry afternoon for qualifying allowed the 28-year-old to improve his time by half a second - to a 2’13.240 - but it was not enough to promote him further than the eighth row.

“Today was another struggle,” McPhee admitted. “I feel like I’m riding good but just can’t find the pace I’ve always been capable of.

“I pushed over my limit in the qualifying going alone but this was unfortunately my maximum with the package I have. Tomorrow I’ll dig deep like always and try to come through the pack in the race.”