The 2023 MotoGP Championship is heading towards an exciting climax in the final round in Valencia, with defending champion Pecco Bagnaia and his rival Jorge Martin in a close battle for the title. Despite Bagnaia’s initial 62-point lead in the season, the gap has narrowed to just 21 points following a dramatic points swing at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The Valencia GP has the potential to decide the championship even before the main grand prix, due to the points available in the Saturday Sprint race. Bagnaia, with six race wins compared to Martin’s four, can secure the championship in the Sprint race if he achieves a 25-point advantage, as Sprint race results do not count towards tie-breakers in case of equal points.
Here are the scenarios for Bagnaia to become champion in Saturday’s Sprint race:
– Bagnaia finishes 1st and Martin is below 2nd.
– Bagnaia finishes in 2nd place and Martin is below 4th.
– Bagnaia finishes in 3rd and Martin is below 6th.
– Bagnaia finishes in 4th place and Martin is below 7th.
– Bagnaia finishes in 5th place and Martin is below 8th.
– Bagnaia finishes in 6th place and Martin is below 9th (out of the points).
In order for Martin to keep his title hopes alive on Sunday, he must finish the Sprint race in the top two, or Bagnaia must finish below sixth place.
If Martin wins the Sprint race and the Valencia GP, a track where he has shown positive results, Bagnaia needs to score 16 points or more in the two races to win the title. This can be achieved with a podium finish on Sunday or two fifth places.
