News Summary
- Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín arrive in Austria level on 274 points
- Márquez leads the championship on race victories after his perfect Misano weekend
- Marco Bezzecchi remains in contention, 33 points behind the leading pair
MotoGP arrives at the Red Bull Ring with nothing separating Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín on points—but the new championship leader believes Austria is opening a three-rider fight rather than a private duel.
Márquez completed a perfect weekend at Misano by collecting all 37 available points, erasing the last of a deficit that stood at 102 earlier in the season. He and Martín now have 274 points each, with the Ducati rider ahead because he has won more Grands Prix.
The turnaround changes the identity of the hunter, but not Márquez’s assessment of the championship. With eight rounds remaining, he is refusing to remove Marco Bezzecchi from the equation.
“We’re level on points, but it’s not only us. Bezzecchi is there too,” Márquez said during Thursday’s official press conference in Austria.
“From first to seventh, there are fewer than 100 points, so many things can happen.”
Bezzecchi is 33 points behind the leading pair after crashing out of his home Grand Prix at Misano. Although the mistake cost him control of the standings, the Aprilia rider remains within one maximum-scoring MotoGP weekend of Márquez and Martín.
Márquez has dealt with final-round championship pressure before. Asked which title contest had placed him under the greatest strain, he pointed to his rookie MotoGP campaign in 2013.
“I would say Valencia in 2013, fighting for my first MotoGP World Championship against Jorge Lorenzo,” he said.
“It looks easy to finish inside the top four, but at the same time it was difficult. Valencia, the last race, cold conditions—that was a difficult Sunday. But normally I like that extra pressure. It gives me extra concentration.”
The eight-time world champion also dismissed the suggestion that moving into first place would alter his approach.
“It’s a new situation, but at the same time it’s the same,” Márquez explained. “For me, leading the championship or being behind by many points is very similar.
“The approach is the same and, of course, we will try to give 100% in every race.”
Martín’s fitness adds another layer to the Austrian weekend. The Aprilia rider suffered severe arm pump at Misano, where he briefly passed Márquez before losing performance and falling to fifth.
Martín said on Thursday that his recovery had progressed well, but admitted the Red Bull Ring weekend would determine whether he requires surgery immediately afterwards.
“I think I recovered quite well,” he said. “I will approach the weekend as normal and, if it happens again, I will make a decision.
“I’m completely focused on the weekend and on making the bike work.”
Martín claimed his first MotoGP victory at the Red Bull Ring in 2021, while Márquez won both the Sprint and Grand Prix in Austria last season. Ducati has historically dominated the circuit, recording 10 premier-class victories at the venue.
“Of course, it is a track where Ducati normally works very, very well,” Márquez said. “We are in a good moment. Every track is different, but step by step I have found a way to adapt my riding style to what the bike needs.”
Marc Márquez believes the 2026 MotoGP title fight remains wide open (Photo: AFP)
The MotoGP championship resumes with FP1 on Friday morning. The Sprint is scheduled for Saturday, with the Austrian Grand Prix completing the weekend on Sunday.
Austrian MotoGP 2026 schedule
| Session | UK | US/Canada ET | India | Australia AEST | New Zealand NZST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP1 — Friday | 09:45 | 04:45 | 14:15 | 18:45 | 20:45 |
| Practice — Friday | 14:00 | 09:00 | 18:30 | 23:00 | 01:00 Saturday |
| Q1 — Saturday | 09:50 | 04:50 | 14:20 | 18:50 | 20:50 |
| Q2 — Saturday | 10:15 | 05:15 | 14:45 | 19:15 | 21:15 |
| Sprint — Saturday | 14:00 | 09:00 | 18:30 | 23:00 | 01:00 Sunday |
| Race — Sunday | 13:00 | 08:00 | 17:30 | 22:00 | 00:00 Monday |
FAQ
When is the next MotoGP race?
The next race is the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, taking place from September 18-20. Friday practice begins on September 18, the Sprint takes place on Saturday and the Austrian GP is held on Sunday.
What time is the 2026 Austrian MotoGP?
The Austrian MotoGP starts at 14:00 local time (13:00 UK) on Sunday, September 20. The Sprint starts at 15:00 local time (14:00 UK) on Saturday. GRANDE PRÊMIO has the full Austrian MotoGP schedule and start times for the UK, India, South Africa and Australia.
Who leads the 2026 MotoGP championship before the Austrian GP?
Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín arrive at the Red Bull Ring level on 274 points, with Márquez leading the championship on the Grand Prix wins tiebreaker. Marco Bezzecchi is third, 33 points behind, with 8 rounds remaining.
