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47m ago

Bagnaia Takes Motegi Pole and Sprint as Marquez Nears Title, Martin Ruled Out

Marquez can clinch the championship on Sunday if he does not concede more than six points to his brother after Alex finished only 10th in the sprint.

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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 Motegi lap record of 1:42.911 to take pole and converted it into his first sprint victory of 2025.
  • Marc Marquez qualified third and finished second in the sprint to strengthen his position for a potential title clinch on Sunday.
  • Alex Marquez qualified eighth and slipped to 10th in the sprint, leaving him needing to outscore Marc by seven points in the grand prix to keep the fight alive.
  • Jorge Martin triggered a Turn 1 sprint collision that also eliminated team-mate Marco Bezzecchi, and Aprilia said X‑rays showed a displaced right collarbone fracture that rules him out of Sunday’s race.
  • Honda’s Joan Mir qualified second and took fourth in the sprint, while KTM’s Pedro Acosta recovered from earlier technical issues to start fourth and claim third in the sprint.