Sports

Marquez Wins Malaysian Grand Prix to Close In on Eighth MotoGP Title

Marc Marquez won the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang on Sunday for the first time since 2018, extending his championship lead to 44 points and setting up a first chance to seal the title at next week's Qatar Grand Prix.

By Pawartaenggal Newsroom • Sunday, 1 November 2026

Marc Marquez racing at the Qatar Grand Prix in 2016

Photo: JaimeOlivaresGGPP2016 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0). Photo shows Marquez at the 2016 Qatar Grand Prix, not the 2026 Malaysian Grand Prix.

Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez won the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday for the first time since 2018, taking a 44-point lead over absent title rival Jorge Martin in the championship.

Starting second on the grid, Marquez swept past pole-sitter Alex Marquez, his younger brother, into the opening turn. Alex briefly regained the lead but ran wide a turn later, and from that point Marc controlled the race to the chequered flag.

Marquez crossed the line 4.172 seconds clear of KTM's Pedro Acosta, who had won Saturday's sprint race. Alex Marquez completed the podium in third, while Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi finished sixth after being passed late by Ai Ogura and Enea Bastianini.

The victory moved seven-time MotoGP champion Marquez up to 399 points in the standings, 44 ahead of Martin, who did not compete after suffering a wrist fracture. Bezzecchi now trails Marquez by 67 points.

"We did a perfect race, so I'm super, super happy," Marquez said after his seventh Grand Prix win of the season.

If Marquez can extend his lead to 74 points at next week's Qatar Grand Prix, he can seal an eighth championship title with two rounds remaining in the season. The Qatar round is scheduled for November 6 to 8 at the Lusail International Circuit.

Source: Reuters (via WNFL Sports)

Marquez Wins Malaysian Grand Prix to Close In on Eighth MotoGP Title

Read Also