Marc Márquez completed a perfect Japanese GP weekend with victory in both the Sprint and Grand Prix. He passed Jorge Martín on lap 11 and finished 1.363 seconds ahead. Martín still leads the championship, but his advantage has fallen from 12 points to just two. Marc now has 331 points, while Martín has 333, with six rounds remaining in the 2026 season.
Marc Márquez was sitting on provisional pole during Q2 before Jorge Martín improved late in the session. Marc then ran wide into the gravel at Turn 3 on his final attempt and could not improve his time. He will start the Japanese GP Sprint from second, alongside championship rival Martín and Pedro Acosta.
Jorge Martín claimed pole for the Japanese GP at Motegi with a new lap record of 1:42.371. The Aprilia rider beat Marc Márquez by 0.110 seconds after Marc had briefly held provisional pole. Pedro Acosta completed the front row in third, just 0.122 seconds behind Martín. Marc made a late mistake at Turn 3 while trying to improve his final qualifying lap.
Álex Márquez set the fastest time in Friday Practice at the Japanese GP, leading Pedro Acosta by 0.076 seconds and Marc Márquez by 0.100. The Gresini Ducati rider posted a 1:42.811 to establish a new Motegi lap record. Jorge Martín finished eighth, while Francesco Bagnaia was 16th. All championship contenders advanced directly to Q2.
Yamaha believes Ai Ogura could help reignite Japan’s passion for motorcycles. The 25 year old became Japan’s first MotoGP race winner in 22 years at Assen and will join Yamaha’s factory team for 2027 and 2028. Yamaha MotoGP boss Paolo Pavesio says Ogura’s growing popularity could bring more attention to the sport, as he represents a Japanese rider on a Japanese factory bike.
Nicolò Bulega’s extensive testing of Ducati’s new 850cc MotoGP prototype has sparked debate in the paddock. KTM test rider Pol Espargaró called the advantage “crazy” and “unfair”, pointing to Bulega’s experience with the bike and Pirelli tyres. Bulega has completed around 10 private test days, while several 2027 rivals must wait until December to ride the new package.
Fabio Quartararo is set to end his long-running Monster Energy partnership when he leaves Yamaha for Honda in 2027. Honda is reportedly bringing Red Bull back as a major factory MotoGP sponsor, meaning Quartararo will move away from the brand that has backed him since his MotoGP debut in 2019. He won his 2021 world title and all 11 MotoGP victories with Monster branding.
Mugello will remain the home of the Italian MotoGP for another five years after MotoGP and the Tuscan circuit agreed a new deal through the end of 2031. The iconic venue has hosted the Italian Grand Prix continuously since 1994 and welcomed a record 178,723 spectators in 2026. Mugello’s 2027 race is scheduled for May 28–30 as MotoGP begins its new 850cc era.
MotoGP has revealed its provisional 2027 calendar, featuring 22 Grands Prix and two major changes. Buenos Aires returns to the championship for the first time since 1999, replacing Hungary on the schedule, while Adelaide will host the Australian Grand Prix for the first time, replacing Phillip Island. The season begins in Thailand on March 7 and finishes in Valencia on November 28.
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola says the team will not impose team orders while Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi remain mathematically capable of winning the 2026 MotoGP title. Martín leads the championship by 12 points over Marc Márquez, while Bezzecchi is 42 points behind his teammate. Rivola says both riders deserve the chance to compete until the championship mathematics eliminate one of them.