The Qatar Grand Prix continues at Lusail on Saturday 7 November, with qualifying and the sprint creating Marc Márquez’s first opportunity to secure the MotoGP championship. The factory Ducati rider must score 30 points more than Jorge Martín and eight more than Marco Bezzecchi. His title chance therefore depends directly on where he finishes relative to the two Aprilia riders.

The numbers do not make the task straightforward. Márquez expects a tough contest after assessing Friday’s race pace, while Martín and Bezzecchi both showed strong speed. Fabio Di Giannantonio topped the times on the VR46 Ducati, overcoming a stated 30-hp power deficit and setting a new lap record. Francesco Bagnaia ended Friday fourth-fastest, which sent him directly through to Q2.

Martín’s seventh-place Friday time came two weeks after he fractured his wrist in a crash at Phillip Island. His physical condition has improved substantially, he is expected to take another step in qualifying, and he believes podium pace is within reach. Pedro Acosta had a more difficult day: the KTM rider missed the top 10 and will have to come through Q1.

Yamaha is not taking part in the Qatar Grand Prix because of security concerns. Saturday’s schedule begins with FP2 at 11:00 GMT, followed by qualifying at 11:40 and the sprint at 16:00. The day will show whether Márquez can turn his first title opportunity into a championship win during the weekend, or whether the contest will run on to Sunday’s Grand Prix.