Marc Marquez heads to Qatar with a 44-point championship advantage and a chance to secure his eighth MotoGP title. His victory at Sepang last week was his seventh of the season and created that opportunity at round 20. Marquez insists, however, that the title situation will not alter his approach.

Throughout 2026, Marquez has often operated in management mode. Sepang was different: he chose to push at maximum effort from the opening free-practice session. Qatar is a good circuit in his view, but not one of his favourites, and he recalls several difficult visits in the past. Last year provides a more positive reference, as he was both fast and competitive there.

Marquez said the team would continue working day by day, aiming for the best possible result in Sunday’s race. He pointed to the way the Sepang weekend was handled—particularly Saturday, when mistakes were easy to make—as an example of the measured execution required. If the necessary results fall into place in Qatar, the championship leader can clinch the crown.

Francesco Bagnaia, meanwhile, is beginning his final three races with the Ducati Lenovo Team before moving to Aprilia for 2027. He won at Qatar in 2024, and the circuit’s high-grip surface could work in his favour. His recent form is a concern, though: he has not finished inside the top six since the German round.

Bagnaia described Qatar as a particularly demanding race late in the season, while stressing that the circuit has traditionally brought out the strengths of the Desmosedici GP. He said the work continues to reduce Ducati’s deficit to the leading group.