Joan Mir believes Marc Marquez is closing in on the 2026 MotoGP championship because his rivals have struggled to withstand the pressure of the title fight.
The Ducati rider has produced a remarkable turnaround this season, recovering from a 102-point deficit after the Italian Grand Prix to put himself within reach of another world championship. His impressive form has further strengthened his position, while mistakes, crashes and injuries have cost his main challengers valuable points.
Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin have been particularly affected, with both riders failing to consistently capitalise on opportunities to challenge Marquez. Their setbacks have also raised questions about Aprilia's ability to convert its competitive machinery into championship success.
Mir, the 2020 MotoGP world champion, praised his former Honda team-mate for maintaining his focus throughout the campaign.
"I see Marc as being completely focused on what he has to do, without making any mistakes," Mir said.
"Personally, I think the title is well within his reach, because the others aren't able to cope with the pressure he's putting them under."
Source: Malay Mail
Fabio Quartararo also highlighted Marquez's ability to apply pressure intelligently, particularly during the Australian Grand Prix Sprint, where Martin crashed while battling the Ducati rider and suffered a fractured wrist.
The Frenchman believes Marquez's current form makes him the clear favourite to secure the championship if he continues performing at the same level.
Beyond his speed, Marquez's ability to manage risks has become another major strength this season. Despite previous injuries to his right arm and shoulder, the Spaniard has adopted a more calculated approach, carefully managing his physical condition and choosing when to push or conserve energy.
His performance at the Malaysian Grand Prix demonstrated that balance. Marquez avoided unnecessary risks during Saturday's Sprint amid uncertain weather conditions before delivering a commanding performance in Sunday's full-length race.
Ducati general manager Gigi Dall'Igna praised the rider's decision-making, highlighting his ability to remain competitive without taking unnecessary risks.
According to Dall'Igna, Marquez showed exceptional judgment during the Sprint before producing a near-perfect performance on Sunday, managing the race conditions while maintaining his speed.
With the Qatar Grand Prix approaching, Marquez now has an opportunity to move closer to securing his eighth premier-class world championship. His rivals, meanwhile, face the challenge of finding a way to stop his momentum before the title fight reaches its conclusion.
