Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira has clinched Mahindra Racing's first-ever podium finish in the Moto3 category at the Sepang International Circuit.

The 18-year old had to fight back from a slow getaway which had left him 14th on the opening lap of the race. However, a stroming ride saw him moving into fourth by the half-way point, shortly before he slotted himself into the podium position.

He held on though as the top six finishers crossed the line within just one second.  

It was the team's first podium after having qualified on pole earlier and scoring a trio of fourth-placed finishes.

“After the start I made I didn’t expect the podium! I knew I could do it, but I had to recover a lot of time, and take a lot of risks in the first laps, in the braking areas and also with corner speed. This is not easy on the tyres, so in the last laps it was really hard to control the bike", said Oliveira.

"I think Mahindra and the team deserve this podium, and I think more. With the end of the championship coming up the leading riders will feel the pressure, and we can try to take advantage of that", he added.