Joan Mir was the reigning series champion, but he did not defend his title as he joined Moto2.
After winning at Sepang, Spanish rider Jorge Martín was crowned the 2018 Moto3 World Champion, having created an unassailable lead of 26 points over current runners-up Marco Bezzecchi.
The following Grands Prix were scheduled to take place in 2018:[24] Points were awarded to the top fifteen finishers.
Each constructor received the same number of points as their best placed rider in each race.
The teams' standings were based on results obtained by regular and substitute riders; wild-card entries were ineligible.