How Marc Marquez could seal the MotoGP world title at Misano

The idea that Marc Marquez could wrap up the 2025 MotoGP title at the San Marino Grand Prix, which is the race after next, began as little more than fantastical speculation.

But that was before yet another maximum haul of 37 points at the Hungarian Grand Prix for Marc, and a dismal weekend for the man in second place, his brother Alex. Marc taking the crown at Misano on 13-14 September is now more than just a theoretical possibility.

With a current lead of 175 points and 222 available after the San Marino GP, Marc will need to stretch his advantage over Alex by 47 points by the time the Misano weekend is over.

That would have seemed highly unlikely earlier in the year, when Alex was consistently finishing races second behind Marc. But ever since his accident during the Dutch Grand Prix, the younger Marquez has struggled to replicate such form on the Gresini Ducati.

There is also nobody else around to take over as the leading challenger to Marc Marquez. The man in third is a substantial 52 points behind Alex. And that man is Marc’s team-mate Francesco Bagnaia, whose current struggles are well-documented.

What would it mean in terms of results for Marc to stretch his lead by another 47 points across the brothers’ home race at Barcelona and the following one in Misano?

A perfect weekend in MotoGP is worth 37 points – and that’s exactly what Marc has managed to score on each of the last seven weekends. Even if there is a slip-up over the next two weekends, then, he is almost certain to score well in excess of 47 himself.

The main question, then, is how many Alex can score over the next two weekends. If he can return to podium form, even with a solid second place in one of the grands prix, he will likely prolong Marc’s wait until the teams move to Asia.

If, for example, Marc gets another two maximum hauls in Catalunya and San Marino, a second place for Alex in one of the grands prix plus eight points across the remaining grand prix and pair of sprints would keep matters alive.

If Alex continues his current form, however, it will indeed be game over in San Marino. For reference, Marc stretched his advantage over Alex by 55 points over the latest two weekends, on which Alex has faced long-lap penalties, grid drops and qualifying difficulties. He scored just 15 points on those two outings, with a second place in the Austrian sprint the only real highlight.

Asked about the Misano equation after his win in Hungary, Marquez admitted he was now thinking about the championship.

“But I hope my first opportunity comes in Indonesia or Japan,” continued the factory Ducati rider. “If it comes in Misano, it means my brother had a disastrous weekend in Barcelona – and I want the best for him.”