How Quartararo can become MotoGP world champion on Sunday at Misano
This weekend in Misano (Italy), the 16th race of the MotoGP season takes a decisive turn for the strongman of the championship, Fabio Quartararo, who plays his first "match point" at the GP of Emilia Romagna towards the obtaining the coronation. A first for "El Diablo", but also for France: never has a tricolor crowned the crown in the queen category!
The Yamaha official is 52 points ahead of Francesco Bagnaia, a margin slightly greater than two victories with three more races to go and 75 points to distribute. The math is simple: the No.20 must maintain a lead of at least 51 points over his opponent Ducati to make history (see the different possibilities below).
The culmination of a perfect combination of speed and regularity
All his other rivals are now out of contention for the title, like current crown bearer Joan Mir, who is 79 points behind since the last race in Austin (USA). The Spanish rider, 3rd provisionally, can however still tax the place of world vice-champion to Pecco Bagnaia to whom the official Suzuki returns 27 points.
However, the game will not be easy for the young but excellent 20 Frenchman, since Bagnaia had just won in front of him at Misano at the end of September during the first race on the Italian track. The number 63, galvanized at home, will also have the advantage of running in an "all for all" spirit while Fabio must keep a margin in view of the stakes.
A mistake on his part would be all the more frustrating as the 22-year-old Frenchman has so far made none, unlike all the other favourites. Fabio Quartararo is the only one to have scored points in the fifteen Grands Prix contested, including the most difficult like the Spanish GP when he saved three points despite the pain linked to his compartment syndrome (now operated).
With five pole positions and ten podiums including five victories to date, Fabio is heading inexorably towards the highest consecration of motorcycle sport: the MotoGP title, his first in the world championship! He would join legends like Casey Stoner, Mick Doohan or Nicky Hayden among the crowned pilots in the queen category without prior title in the lower classes.
