2024 has been a rollercoaster, with just 17 points separating Martin and Bagnaia in the standings as the final two rounds beckon.
2024 is gearing up for a blockbuster finale after a season which has delivered drama by the bucketload so far. The Championship momentum has shifted between Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) thus far, and with just two rounds remaining, let’s take a look at the defining moments from the title fight so far.
Currently, Martin heads the title race, scoring 453 points so far in 2024. Securing three Grand Prix victories, six Sprint wins, and 14 podiums throughout the season, handing the #89 a 17 point advantage in the Championship standings. However, Martin’s season has not been perfect, with the Spaniard suffering a crash in the Sprint at both the Italian and Indonesian GP – a rare error compared to his usual Saturday form. The Spaniard also made mistakes on Sunday, crashing out of the lead in the Spanish and German GP and also losing points at the San Marino GP after a switch to wet tyres did not pay off.
These mistakes have allowed Bagnaia the chance to claw back crucial points in the Championship. The Italian sits on 436 points thanks to nine Grand Prix victories, including an impressive four Grand Prix wins in a row. Bagnaia has had a strong season so far, not without its mistakes, with the #1 scoring no points in the Sprint at the Spanish, French, Catalan and British GP. The reigning World Champion has also had further setbacks on Sunday, with crashes in the Portuguese, Aragon and Emilia-Romagna GP.
Last time out, Martin strengthened his position on Saturday, securing second in the Sprint in Thailand. However, Bagnaia responded on Sunday, mastering the challenging conditions to secure victory at the Thai GP and claim an extra 25 points.
Just 74 points remain up for grabs, with the first 37 points on offer this weekend as we return to the legendary Petronas Sepang International Circuit for Round 19 of the season. It is teeing up to be a pivotal Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia as Martin prepares for his first match point.
