Marc Marquez secured his seventh MotoGP title and ninth overall world championship on Sunday at the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi, marking a remarkable achievement in his racing career. Marquez earned the championship during his first season with Ducati Lenovo, finishing as runner-up behind his teammate Francesco Bagnaia.
Bagnaia Dominates but Marquez Claims Championship
Francesco Bagnaia enjoyed an outstanding weekend by capturing pole position, winning the Sprint, and leading every lap of the main race despite his bike emitting occasional puffs of smoke during the latter half of the event. Marquez maintained consistent pressure behind Bagnaia but settled for second place, which was enough to secure the world title.
Bagnaia’s resilience was on full display as he managed to stay in front despite his Desmosedici experiencing mechanical issues, raising concerns in the Ducati pit crew over the last laps. Marquez, aware of the situation, focused on securing his championship rather than risking an all-out attack for the race win.
Joan Mir Achieves First Honda Podium Since 2021
Adding to the highlights of the Grand Prix, Joan Mir achieved his debut podium with Honda, finishing third. This marked his first top-three result since 2021 when he was racing for Suzuki. Mir’s performance demonstrated his competitive return to form and provided Honda with a positive outcome at Motegi.
Race Progression and Key Incidents
The race started with Marquez dropping back slightly, but he quickly reclaimed third position by aggressively taking the inside line at Turn 1. Bagnaia led from pole, while Pedro Acosta held second place early on. Joan Mir initially ran wide and slipped into fourth. Marquez found Acosta challenging to pass, particularly due to the KTM rider’s strong braking.
By mid-race, Bagnaia had built a commanding lead of 3.5 seconds over the field. Marquez eventually overtook Acosta before halfway through the race, with other riders such as Marco Bezzecchi and Franco Morbidelli overtaking Acosta as well. Acosta’s challenge faded when he went off track into the gravel at Turn 1.
With about ten laps remaining, the presence of smoke from Bagnaia’s bike caused clear concern. The smoke initially disappeared before reappearing five laps from the end. Despite the mechanical difficulties, Bagnaia continued racing at full speed, seemingly unaware of the issue.
Marquez closed the gap from four seconds to two but did not push further, focusing on securing the championship rather than the race victory.
Additional Race and Season Information
All riders opted for medium compound tires both front and rear for the race conditions. Meanwhile, the absence of key riders affected the grid’s competitiveness. Outgoing world champion Jorge Martin missed the Grand Prix after breaking his collarbone during the Sprint race in an incident involving his Aprilia teammate Bezzecchi. Ai Ogura also withdrew due to ongoing pain from a prior hand injury sustained at Misano.
Jorge Martin is expected to miss the upcoming Indonesian round as he recovers, while Ai Ogura’s participation there remains uncertain.
“subject to a review of his progress when the team arrives in Mandalika.”
– Team Statement
Marquez Reflects on His Journey and Achievement
Following the race, an emotional Marc Marquez paused trackside to watch a montage capturing the challenges and triumphs he has experienced since his last championship five seasons ago. His celebration carried the message More than a number, emphasizing the significance of this title beyond statistics.
This victory not only reaffirms Marquez’s status as one of MotoGP’s greats but also highlights his resilience in overcoming setbacks and changes within the sport. His success in this season with Ducati Lenovo sets a strong precedent for future races and intensifies expectations for his performance in the remaining MotoGP calendar.
