Marc Marquez more cautious in Japanese GP sprint because he values titles more now

Once known for his all-or-nothing style, Marquez is now taking a more measured approach as he moves a step closer to clinching the championship

Marc Marquez says he approached the Japanese Grand Prix sprint cautiously, as he now understands the value of a MotoGP title more than ever before.

The factory Ducati rider arrived in Motegi knowing he only needed to outscore his sole title rival Alex Marquez by three points over the weekend to wrap up the 2025 title.

Lining third on the grid, the elder Marquez lost a position to KTM’s Pedro Acosta on the opening lap and then spent the majority of the race stuck behind the Honda of former team-mate Joan Mir.

After multiple failed attempts and wide moments, Marquez finally found a way through on lap 8, before passing Acosta at the same corner on the following lap to move up to second position.

However, he made no attempt at catching runaway race leader Francesco Bagnaia, settling 1.7s behind and missing out on a sprint win for only the third time this season.

Speaking afterwards, Marquez didn’t hide the fact that he was focused on the bigger picture instead of chasing individual race glory.

“I feel heavier than usual,” he admitted. “I was more in a defending position, defending riding style and just more careful about everything.

“It's true that in the first part of the race it was difficult to overtake Joan and Pedro because they were braking super late. They are two of the most difficult riders to overtake.

“But apart from that, this weekend I'm not riding perfectly. In the last part of the sprint, I started to ride better, so let's see if tomorrow we can improve.”

Marc Marquez, Ducati Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

With Alex Marquez finishing 10th and failing to score points, Marc Marquez can wrap up the title in Sunday’s race if he concedes no more than six points to his younger brother.

Although he has been in similar positions before, with the opportunity to secure the championship ahead of the final round, Marquez admitted that his 2020 arm injury has completely changed his approach.

After such a challenging journey toward a ninth world title, the Spaniard is content to take a measured approach and focus on getting the job done in Motegi.

“Nothing [else has] changed. I have the same bike as Misano and I have the same bike as the other racers, but just in a different situation,” he said.

“It's true that I had experience in the past about the same situation, but I was more used to winning.

“It's strange to say, but I was more used to understanding what a world championship is. I would say that in the past, I didn't value the championships in a good way. And now I know that this one, the price in all the aspects, I pay a lot [more attention to it].

“I feel closer and closer [to winning the title] every day, so then I feel some extra weight in my shoulders.”