Fabio Quartararo's double hopes are almost dashed.
This Sunday, Francesco Bagnaia took another big step towards the title of MotoGP world champion, against his French rival.
The Italian driver won the Malaysian Grand Prix, collecting the 25 points promised to the winner.
“Only” third, the reigning world champion tricolor saw the gap in the championship widen a little more.
At a Grand Prix at the end, the Frenchman is 23 units behind.
The Yamaha rider is condemned to the feat, and to a hell of a combination of circumstances.
“The objective was to push back the title of Bagnaia, it's done.
Now it's practically impossible to do, but nothing is impossible, so we believe in it until the end, ”explained Fabio Quartararo at the Canal + microphone after his race.
Lacking pace against the Italian driver, the Frenchman couldn't keep up with the pace of the leader: “I'm very happy with my race.
I was just wasting too much time on the straights.
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Francesco Bagnaia wins a crazy Grand Prix 🏆
Fabio Quartararo finishes 3rd.
He keeps his title chances for Valencia in 2 weeks 🇫🇷#MalaysianGP 🇲🇾 |
#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/cY2f17uW3w
— CANAL+ MotoGP™ (@CanalplusMotoGP) October 23, 2022
Let's go back to the start of this Malaysian Grand Prix.
Ninth on the starting line, Francesco Bagnaia got off to a flying start to settle directly into second place in the race.
After missing his qualifications (12th), Fabio Quartararo is not unworthy either and also gains six positions.
Far ahead in this Grand Prix, Jorge Martin will restart the race by falling, leaving Bagnaia to take the lead.
For his part, the driver from Nice, at a slower pace than the Italian, managed to grab the last place on the podium.
Quartararo champion if…
For the last Grand Prix of the season, the situation is quite simple.
In two weeks in Valencia, the Ducati rider is only missing two small points to be crowned.
“We will have to see what happens in Valencia.
I have to be very careful.
You have to keep both wheels on the track”, recalled the leader of the World Championship at the end of the race.
To still dream of a double, Fabio Quartararo must win and take 25 points in Spain.
At the same time, Francesco Bagnaia will not have to do better than fifteenth place.
Impossible mission ?