In one of the most electrifying performances of the 2025 MotoGP season, Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) stormed to a sensational victory under the lights at Lusail, making it a dominant double win in Doha and throwing down a serious marker in the MotoGP World Championship fight.
The six-time premier class Champion was relentless in Sunday’s Qatar Airways Grand Prix, outgunning the field in a dramatic and high-octane showdown. The victory marked Márquez’s first Sunday win since 2014, sending a clear message: he’s back at his best and means business.
Márquez got the launch of dreams to snatch the holeshot into Turn 1, but immediately chaos ensued as contact with his younger brother Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) resulted in a piece of bodywork flying off the red Ducati. Franco Morbidelli capitalized, slicing through to take the early lead, while Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) locked horns with Alex for P3.
Morbidelli extended his advantage to nearly a second early on, but the action behind was fierce. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) surged through the pack from sixth, but more drama followed when Alex Márquez collided with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), forcing both wide. Alex received a Long Lap Penalty for the incident, dropping him to P12.
At the sharp end, Márquez reclaimed P2 from Bagnaia with 16 laps to go, as Viñales began a stunning charge. The KTM rider dispatched Bagnaia and then Morbidelli, taking the race lead for the first time with 12 laps remaining. Márquez followed suit, making it a classic three-way shootout between two factory Ducatis and a flying KTM.
But Márquez had more in the tank.
With seven laps to go, a slight mistake from Viñales at Turn 6 opened the door, and the #93 didn’t hesitate. Márquez snatched the lead and never looked back. Each lap that followed was faster, more ferocious, and more clinical.
He unleashed the fastest lap of the race on Lap 17, widening the gap and extinguishing any hopes of a late counterattack.
As the chequered flag waved, it was Marc Márquez who stood tall once more. With an iron-willed ride, he made it seven wins from the last eight, further solidifying his grip on the championship lead ahead of the Spanish GP at Jerez.
Maverick Viñales’ P2 finish was nothing short of a masterclass in control and aggression. His first podium with Red Bull KTM Tech3 is a vital morale booster for the Austrian camp.
Francesco Bagnaia, after a frustrating Saturday, salvaged a commendable third. He may have lost ground in the standings, but it was a crucial damage-limitation ride for the reigning Ducati Champion.
Franco Morbidelli fought back to finish fourth but was promoted to P3 post-race, after Viñales was penalized. Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Castrol) earned a career-best P4 on a Honda, ahead of Fermín Aldeguer, who recorded a personal best MotoGP result in P5.
Alex Márquez clawed back to P6 despite his penalty. Fabio Quartararo impressed in P7, with Pedro Acosta, Marco Bezzecchi, and Luca Marini rounding out the top ten.
Further down the field, Enea Bastianini, Alex Rins, and Brad Binder picked up points, as did Ai Ogura and Viñales post-penalty.
Notably absent at the finish was reigning World Champion Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing), whose comeback ended in disaster after a crash. Aprilia later confirmed Martin suffered a rib contusion and pneumothorax, and was taken for further hospital checks.
Credit Photo : MotoGP
