Marco Bezzecchi remains determined to fight for the 2026 MotoGP world championship, despite falling further behind Marc Marquez following a difficult Malaysian Grand Prix weekend.
The Aprilia rider now trails Marquez by 67 points heading into the Qatar Grand Prix, leaving his title hopes hanging by a thread. However, Bezzecchi insists he will continue pushing until his championship chances are mathematically over.
"Realistically, it's tough. But until the maths is on our side, I will keep believing and keep working as hard as I can," Bezzecchi said.
Marquez has strengthened his grip on the championship after recovering from a 102-point deficit earlier in the season. His victory at Sepang marked his seventh Grand Prix win of the campaign and further increased the pressure on his remaining challengers.
The Qatar Grand Prix could prove decisive, with Marquez having the opportunity to clinch the title two rounds before the season ends. He needs to extend his advantage sufficiently over Bezzecchi and injured Aprilia team-mate Jorge Martin to secure the championship at Lusail.
Bezzecchi acknowledged that the situation has become increasingly difficult, particularly after Aprilia struggled to match Ducati's pace in Malaysia. He finished third in Saturday's sprint but could manage only sixth in Sunday's race after battling tyre problems and making a mistake on the final lap.
Source: Auto Hebdo
The Italian admitted Sepang was a circuit where Aprilia had not expected to be particularly competitive, making the loss of points especially frustrating at this stage of the season.
"We didn't need a GP where we struggled," he said, referring to the Malaysian round.
Despite the setback, Bezzecchi is hopeful that the upcoming Qatar race will offer a better opportunity to challenge at the front. He remains focused on improving his performance rather than dwelling on the championship standings.
His title campaign has been complicated by several setbacks throughout the season. A collision with Martin at the Hungarian Grand Prix, a subsequent suspension at the Czech GP and a heavy crash at the German Grand Prix significantly disrupted his momentum.
The Sachsenring accident left Bezzecchi with collarbone and knee injuries, forcing him to work through physical limitations during his recovery. Although he has continued to secure podium finishes since returning, he admits that regaining his early-season explosiveness has been difficult.
Bezzecchi explained that he still struggles to find the same immediate pace at the beginning of race weekends, with his injuries continuing to affect his ability to build momentum quickly.
Nevertheless, the 27-year-old believes his previous performances prove he can recover his form. With the Qatar Grand Prix approaching, he remains committed to fighting for every available point and keeping his championship hopes alive for as long as possible.
