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1h ago

Bagnaia Dominates Motegi Sprint as Marquez Nears Title, Martin Ruled Out

The result leaves Marc Marquez needing to avoid more than a six-point loss to brother Alex on Sunday to clinch the championship.

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Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (R) and Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton (C) compete during the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit in Baku on September 21, 2025.
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Overview

  • Francesco Bagnaia set a new Motegi lap record to take pole in 1:42.911, then controlled the Sprint from the start for his first Saturday win of 2025.
  • Marc Marquez finished second after late passes on Joan Mir and Pedro Acosta, extending his lead over Alex Marquez to 191 points heading into Sunday.
  • Pedro Acosta topped final practice, qualified fourth, and completed the Sprint podium ahead of Mir, with Franco Morbidelli fifth and Fabio Quartararo sixth.
  • Jorge Martin collided with Aprilia team-mate Marco Bezzecchi at Turn 1 on the opening lap; MotoGP and Aprilia confirmed Martin has a displaced right collarbone fracture and will miss Sunday’s race.
  • Alex Marquez came through Q1 to qualify eighth but finished 10th in the Sprint with no points, meaning he must outscore Marc by seven on Sunday to keep the title fight alive.