Marc Márquez returned to the top step of the podium in thrilling fashion at the Qatar Grand Prix. The eight-time world champion powered through early chaos, including a collision with his brother Alex, to take his first win at Lusail since 2014. Riding for Ducati, Marc extended his MotoGP championship lead to 123 points, with Alex now trailing by 17 points.
A Rough Start to a Perfect Ending
The Qatar GP started with tension right from the first lap. Marc Márquez made a great launch off the line, but contact with his younger brother Alex in Turn 1 damaged the rear of his Ducati. The collision caused visible harm to the aero setup of Marc’s bike, including a missing rear winglet. Still, he kept his pace steady and stayed with the front pack.
Franco Morbidelli briefly led the race after the incident, but it was clear that the top contenders would soon catch up. Alex Márquez, trying to recover, then tangled with Fabio Di Giannantonio. That earned him a long lap penalty and ended his streak of podium finishes. He would finish in 12th place — a major blow to his title challenge.
Fierce Battles at the Front
As the laps ticked by, the battle at the front grew more intense. Marc Márquez found himself swapping positions with Francesco Bagnaia while Maverick Viñales began to creep forward. Viñales surprised everyone — including Marc himself — by slicing through the pack.
“Big surprise when Maverick overtook me. I thought it was Acosta—normally the fastest KTM,” Marc said after the race.
Viñales passed Morbidelli with 12 laps to go and moved into the lead. Marc followed closely behind, with Bagnaia holding third. The trio looked set for a thrilling finish.
The Turning Point
With seven laps left, Viñales made a costly mistake and ran wide. That opened the door for Marc to reclaim first place. From there, he didn’t look back. Abandoning tyre management, he went flat out, setting two of the fastest laps of the race in succession.
Even with a damaged bike, Marc built a solid lead. He showed full control and pace, even under pressure. Fans watching at Lusail and around the world could see: the champion was back in full force.
Final Results and Penalties Loom
Marc Márquez took the chequered flag, with Viñales finishing second for Red Bull KTM. However, Viñales’ result is under review due to possible tyre-pressure violations. If penalized, it could shake up the final order.
Francesco Bagnaia finished third after a steady performance. Morbidelli, who had led briefly, came home in fourth.
Reigning champion Jorge Martín had a weekend to forget. Still recovering from injury, he crashed out at Turn 11 and recorded a DNF. His title hopes are now in serious danger.
Marc’s Championship Comeback
This victory in Qatar is a big moment for Marc Márquez. It is not just his fourth pole in a row — it also marks his full return to top form. He has now won races under pressure, with damage, and against tough rivals.
Marc’s move to Ducati seems to be paying off. With a 17-point lead over Alex and a 26-point cushion over Bagnaia, he looks more comfortable and confident than ever.
“I had to push more than I wanted to,” Marc said. “But once I saw Viñales run wide, I knew it was my chance. I had to take it.”
The MotoGP season heads to the United States next. With Marc Márquez in top form and his main rivals dealing with mistakes and injuries, the title fight is heating up fast. Alex Márquez will be looking to bounce back, while Bagnaia hopes to close the gap.
But for now, Marc is leading the way — and proving that he’s still one of the best on two wheels.
Current Championship Standings (Top 3)
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Marc Márquez – 123 points
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Alex Márquez – 106 points
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Francesco Bagnaia – 97 points
Marc Márquez’s win in Qatar is more than just a race victory. It shows that the former world champion is back and ready to fight for the title. Even after early trouble and damage to his bike, he stayed calm and took control. As the MotoGP season rolls on, the rest of the grid will need to find answers fast — because Marc is back on top and doesn’t look like slowing down.