Now that only three races are left to conclude the MotoGP 2022 season and two points to separate Fabio Quartararo and Pecca Bagnaia, the series is all set for a blasting conclusion. It will head to Australia this weekend and then to Malaysia, followed by Europe for the season’s finale.
Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha team manager, told MotoGP.com that the championship is beginning from zero now. The only way to win is by attacking. The race will provide riders with three enormously different circuits, including the glorious seaside locale of Phillip Island, the long straights and tropical heat of Sepang, and Valencia's Ricardo Tormo circuit. These are the tight and twisty venues where the weather can be a deciding factor.
Moreover, while some circuits suit specific machines, it is not a crucial factor to consider as the MotoGP grid has grown closer. Different factories could perform better at various locations, which can be a deciding factor for this ultra-close championship race.
The riders with MotoGP 2022 title races include:
- Fabio Quartararo with 219 points
- Aleix Espargaro with 199 points (-20)
- Jack Miller with 179 points (-40)
- Francesco Bagnaia with 217 points (-2)
- Enea Bastianini with 180 points (-39)
Now, let’s discuss the locations in detail.
Phillip Island
The race begins this weekend at the Phillip Island circuit. The track will appear for the first time on the calendar since October 2019 due to the pandemic. Due to its fast and flowing nature, the extreme elevation changes, and the beautiful location, it is everyone’s favorite location. Especially for Quartararo, the Island presents the best opportunity for a return in a long time.
He once raced a MotoGP bike at the circuit during his rookie season. It ended badly with a rare crash on the opening lap. However, although the tracks favor series inline bikes like Suzuki and Yamaha, Ducati struggles significantly. Therefore, it will be a crucial race for them as they have not stood on the podium since the Red Bull Ring and won any race since the Sachsenring in mid-June.
Sepang
Considering the historical results, you might think that Sepang is a place for Ducati due to its long straights and slow corners and where the aerodynamics and ride height device are essential. Also, it is the place where Yamaha struggles. Moreover, Ducati has a stunning pace in the Malaysian circuit, which titles Aleix Espargaro.
He is talking about the circuit and the venue where he wants to win or replicate his testing speed in qualifying notably. However, the biggest question is what happens behind the Aprilia if he is successful in making a break. Quartararo would potentially acquire a few points.
Valencia
Moving to Europe in November always makes weather plays a crucial factor. And since both Quartarao and Bagnaia have had an occasional rain disaster this season, a wet climate can play a critical role in deciding the title.
Valencia track is something that has not favored Yamaha, but Ducati as Bagnaia leads Ducati’s first-ever podium to lock out in Valencia in 2021. However, both factories are delighted with the venue ending the season.
However, Yamaha, in the hands of Quarataro’s teammate Franco Morbidelli defeated Bagnaia’s teammate, Miller, in 2020.
In a nutshell, predicting the clear favorite among the three circuits is arduous. Moreover, the qualifying performance plays a crucial role before the season ends. It is also not where many people can make it past an opponent. Therefore, lap speed on Saturday can be even more vital than race speed on Sunday, especially if Quartaro is without the horsepower that the Ducati Bugnia has.