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Bagnaia Takes Motegi Pole With Lap Record, Converts Sprint as Marquez Nears Crown

Marquez can clinch the championship on Sunday by avoiding a points swing greater than six to Alex Marquez.

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Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag over Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Castrol Edge Ford, to win the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas.
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.

Overview

  • Francesco Bagnaia reset the Motegi benchmark with a 1:42.911 to secure pole, reflecting a pace revival credited to recent setup work.
  • Bagnaia controlled the Sprint from the start for his first Saturday win of 2025, with Marc Marquez second after late passes and Pedro Acosta third.
  • Marc Marquez extended his lead over Alex Marquez after the Sprint and remains on course to seal the title in the grand prix, holding a record 512 points this season.
  • Jorge Martin was ruled out of Sunday’s race after X-rays confirmed a displaced right collarbone from a Turn 1 Sprint collision with team-mate Marco Bezzecchi.
  • In WorldSBK at Aragon, Nicolo Bulega took Superpole with an all-time lap record as Toprak Razgatlioglu qualified second.