Marc Marquez tops the charts in a rain-soaked Thai MotoGP morning session

Marc Marquez dominates the wet warm-up session for the MotoGP race in Buriram, Thailand.

Marc Marquez was the fastest in the dry Friday practice and reclaimed his position at the forefront of the Thai MotoGP rankings during a rainy morning warm-up session in Buriram.

Even though the shower has ceased, the skies are still overcast, and weather predictions indicate more rainfall could occur throughout the day.

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Marquez, expressing his desire on Saturday for at least one rainy race this season, cautioned that the track was extremely slick after he topped the session, outpacing championship frontrunner Jorge Martin.

Pramac Ducati's Martin widened his lead in the points race against Francesco Bagnaia to 22 points by securing second place, just behind Enea Bastianini, in the Sprint.

Luca Marini capitalized on the rainy weather to surge forward in the rankings, securing a third-place position for Repsol Honda. He was closely trailed by Franco Morbidelli from Pramac and the KTM riders Pedro Acosta and Jack Miller.

Maverick Vinales took the top spot for Aprilia, finishing seventh, with Marco Bezzecchi and the current two-time champion, Bagnaia, trailing behind him.

Brad Binder, finishing 16th, along with Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo in 17th place, and the victor of the Sprint, Bastianini, who ended up 18th, were positioned lower in the rankings during the rainy conditions.

This morning, Augusto Fernandez of Tech3 was the sole rider to experience a fall.

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Marc Marquez tops the charts in rainy Thai MotoGP practice session

Marc Marquez dominates the soggy morning practice session for the Thai MotoGP in Buriram.

Having been the fastest in the dry practice on Friday, Marc Marquez reclaimed his position at the forefront of the Thai MotoGP rankings during a rainy morning warm-up in Buriram.

Even though the rainfall has ceased, the skies are still overcast, and meteorological predictions indicate additional heavy showers are expected throughout the day.

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Marquez, expressing his desire on Saturday night for at least one rain-affected race this year, cautioned that the track was extremely slick after he topped the session, outpacing championship frontrunner Jorge Martin.

Pramac Ducati competitor Martin widened his lead in the points tally against Francesco Bagnaia to 22 by securing a second-place finish, just after Enea Bastianini, in the Sprint.

Luca Marini capitalized on the rainy weather, securing a third-place finish for Repsol Honda, with Franco Morbidelli of Pramac and the KTM riders Pedro Acosta and Jack Miller trailing behind.

Maverick Vinales topped the Aprilia team by finishing seventh, with Marco Bezzecchi and the current two-time champion Bagnaia trailing behind.

Brad Binder, finishing 16th, alongside Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo in 17th place and the Sprint victor Bastianini in 18th, found themselves lower in the rankings during the rainy conditions.

This morning, Augusto Fernandez of Tech3 was the sole rider to experience a fall.

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Pedro Acosta described the Thai MotoGP showdown as a decisive moment, saying, "Fortunately, we managed to avoid any major mistakes." He added that the race felt like a "now-or-never" situation.

Pedro Acosta expressed that his intense competition for a podium finish with his KTM teammate Jack Miller during the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix felt like a "do or die" moment. He was satisfied that they managed to avoid any mishaps.

The newcomer from Tech3 had an accident during Saturday's sprint race while he was in the top five positions. He also had a rough beginning to the 26-lap grand prix on Sunday, which was held in wet conditions.

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As the race progressed, Acosta made a strong push to secure a podium spot, overtaking factory KTM racer Miller for third place during the second-to-last lap. This exciting duel spanned from Turn 3 to Turn 7.

This was Acosta's first time finishing on the podium and completing a race since the Indonesian Grand Prix.

"It was definitely a really great contest," he commented regarding his clash with Miller.

"I realized it was a fight for a podium finish, and it was a critical moment to act."

"It's always a great experience to compete against Jack. He has an aggressive style, but he stays within the rules. I found it very enjoyable."

"Fortunately, we avoided creating any chaos, otherwise we would have spent a long afternoon dealing with it in the garage."

"In any case, it's important to stay positive and look for ways to enhance our performance in the initial stages of the races."

Following his crash on Saturday, Acosta stated that he would have to reassess his racing strategy to avoid losing strong finishes when there's nothing additional to gain.

He understood this after making numerous mistakes at the start of the grand prix and believes this outcome should serve as a reminder to "keep in mind the importance of completing races."

"We should feel joyful since we finally completed a race after numerous attempts," he mentioned.

"This is positive. We should keep moving forward with the mindset that even if things aren't going our way, we can still turn the situation around."

"We should try to remain a bit more composed to gain from that experience. However, today turned out to be a positive day."

"It’s possible that I had difficulty finding my pace compared to the warm-up session, and I also veered off course during the early phase of the race at Turn 3, as well as at Turn 1."

"I thought it might be a good idea to take a step back and maintain a steady rhythm."

"Indeed, towards the conclusion of the race, something inexplicable occurred, and suddenly I picked up tremendous speed. We should feel pleased and keep in mind the importance of completing races."

Acosta lacks significant experience with MotoGP bikes in wet weather, and he frequently faced challenges in maintaining performance during rainy conditions in other grand prix categories.

When questioned about his competitiveness in Thailand, Acosta responded: "Honestly, I'm not quite sure why I wasn't consistently competitive in Moto2."

"The only time I was really quick was in last year's Australian race, where I started from the back of the grid."

"I was never particularly speedy, as I recall that in 2022 I began the race in fifth place, but by the time I reached the second corner, I had dropped to around 20th position."

"I'm not sure. Riding in Moto2 with the Dunlop tires was challenging because they felt very hard."

"The performance improved significantly after switching to Michelin tires, and it's noticeable that riders on KTM bikes excelled in these challenging conditions."

"Think back to Miguel Oliveira's performance in Thailand in 2022, Brad Binder's speed in the wet conditions at Spielberg, and the impressive pace Pol Espargaro showed at the start of the project."

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2024 Mexico City Grand Prix F1 Qualifying Summary

Here's a rundown of the events from the F1 qualifying rounds for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Stay tuned to Crash.net for post-qualifying analysis and a preview of Sunday's race in Mexico.

The complete lineup following an exhilarating qualifying round in Mexico

The Ferrari racer secures the top starting position, clinching pole by clocking in at 1 minute 15.946 seconds, leading Verstappen by 0.2 seconds. Norris and Leclerc round out the leading quartet.

Leclerc begins his last lap in the third qualifying session. And off we go…

Sainz, Leclerc, Russell, Hamilton, Norris, Gasly, Albon, Hulkenberg, and Magnussen are all notable figures in the context mentioned.

Verstappen has yet to post a lap time.

Sainz clocked in at 1 minute and 16.055 seconds, leading Leclerc by 0.3 seconds. Right as the Ferraris recorded their times, Verstappen's top lap was disqualified for exceeding the track boundaries.

Verstappen clocked in at 1 minute and 16.368 seconds, leading Norris by 0.6 seconds. An impressive way to kick off Q3.

Is there anyone who can prevent Norris from securing yet another pole position?

🚩 ALERT! 🚩A crash involving Tsunoda at Turn 12 during the closing stages of Q2 halts the session! This incident blocks his teammate Lawson, along with all other drivers, from posting better times! #F1 #MexicoGP

Tsunoda, Lawson, Alonso, Stroll, and Bottas.

Tsunoda's accident signals the end of Q2, happening with just 10 seconds remaining.

Leclerc clocked in at 1 minute and 16.641 seconds, placing him in fourth position overall. Sainz managed to secure a spot just ahead of him.

Magnussen, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Bottas, and Leclerc.

Norris clocked in at 1 minute and 16.301 seconds, leading Verstappen by 0.3 seconds.

Verstappen clocked in at 1 minute and 16.629 seconds, leading Sainz by 0.4 seconds. Albon, driving for Williams, matched Sainz's pace, trailing by the same margin with an impressive lap.

Albon hits the circuit in the Williams as the second qualifying round gets underway.

Eliminated in the first quarter: Colapinto, Piastri, Perez, Ocon, and Zhou.

Piastri and Perez appear likely to be eliminated in the first qualifying round. Unexpected developments are unfolding in Mexico.

He advances to the 14th position. Perez ranks 15th in this instance.

His lap time was invalidated due to exceeding the track limits at Turn 12. At the moment, he's in the relegation zone.

He sets a new standard with a time of 1 minute and 16.505 seconds, leading Verstappen by 0.4 seconds.

Colapinto, Ocon, Zhou, Piastri, and Perez.

Anticipate significant enhancements moving forward.

Gasly and Hulkenberg climb into the top three positions as the track activity intensifies, causing Russell to fall into the elimination zone.

Currently, Perez, Ocon, Zhou, Lawson, and Hulkenberg have been eliminated in the first qualifying round.

Verstappen clocked a time of 1 minute and 16.998 seconds on the soft tires, leading Norris by 0.2 seconds.

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Enea Bastianini rejects notion of supporting Pecco Bagnaia's championship ambitions

Enea Bastianini exited the MotoGP title race following the Thai Grand Prix

Enea Bastianini's 14th-place result in the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix eliminates his chances of winning the title this season. Despite this, he insists he will not shift his attention to assist his Ducati factory teammate, Francesco Bagnaia.

Bastianini began the race next to Bagnaia in the second spot on the front row, but he fell back at the start and was in 13th position by the conclusion of the opening lap.

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"Frankly speaking, I'm not sure what occurred right from the beginning, as I dropped several positions. Even coming out of the first corner onto the straight, it felt like my bike had 30 horsepower less," Bastianini remarked following the Thai Grand Prix.

Nevertheless, he proceeded to clarify that, following the guidance of the Ducati Lenovo Team, he deliberately chose not to utilize the front start device on his Desmosedici GP24.

Martin and Bagnaia are separated by 17 points, keeping the championship battle very much active 🏆#MotoGP #ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/BQdWqjFpNj— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) October 27, 2024

Bastianini explained, "At the start, I didn't use the front device. The team advised me against it, suggesting that avoiding it would prevent potential spinning issues."

"In the end, the rider equipped with the front device was significantly more competitive than I was at the beginning."

Following a disappointing beginning, Bastianini made impressive progress through the pack and had reached seventh place before he fell during the ninth lap.

"Following the start, I needed to heat up the tires because the initial lap was a catastrophe," Bastianini stated.

"However, following that point, I gained confidence and my speed increased with each lap."

I was in seventh place, quite near the race leader since we were all bunched up at that point. However, as I approached turn eight, I went in slightly quicker than I did on the previous lap and ended up losing my front grip.

"I felt reasonably confident given the circumstances, but then I ended up failing."

Before his crash, Bastianini's performance in the race marked a significant improvement. He had faced difficulties during the Warm Up, which was the only other wet session of the weekend. This led him to make adjustments to his setup.

Bastianini explained that they adjusted the configuration slightly, as he was using extremely stiff springs during the Warm Up, making it challenging to maneuver the bike.

During the race, things went well overall, but the biggest issue was with the front, as it kept becoming unstable frequently.

"I occasionally face this issue in dry weather, but when it's wet, the problem becomes more erratic, making it harder for me to manage."

Bastianini's accident, which led to him finishing in 14th place, has now ensured that he cannot win the championship as he prepares to join Tech3 KTM next year.

The championship will be determined between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia. Martin currently holds the lead in points following his performance at the Thai Grand Prix, while Bagnaia, who emerged victorious in the same race, is in second place in the riders’ rankings.

"At this point, the competition for the championship is down to just two competitors, Jorge Martin and Francesco 'Pecco' Bagnaia," Bastianini stated.

"[Bagnaia] showcased an astonishing level of skill today. Additionally, I talked to him prior to the race, and he didn't seem very optimistic about it."

During the warm-up, neither he nor I were particularly quick, but by the time the race came around, we were competitive.

"He had a bit of good fortune early on, as he led the race in the initial laps, making things somewhat simpler for him. However, towards the end, he made a strong effort and secured the victory. The gap between Martin and Bagnaia is now 17 points."

In reflecting on my performance, I missed an opportunity to gain a lot of points. This was especially true since [Marc] Marquez also had an accident. Wet track conditions increase the likelihood of errors.

Bastianini clarified that both he and Marc Marquez have a riding style that increases their chances of making errors in the rainy conditions at Buriram compared to other riders.

Bastianini mentioned that he and Marc have a unique style that sets them apart from the other riders.

"We focus extensively on the front tire, and in situations like today, we found ourselves pushing it to its limits."

With Bastianini mathematically unable to clinch the title, will he now assist his teammate in the championship fight?

He expressed his desire to win in Malaysia, saying, "It's not the right time yet."

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Carlos Sainz secures top starting spot for Mexico City Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz achieves season's first pole position by outperforming Max Verstappen in Mexico's qualifying round.

Carlos Sainz clinched his season's debut pole position, surpassing Formula 1 frontrunner Max Verstappen, at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Departing Ferrari racer Sainz surpassed Red Bull’s Verstappen by a margin of 0.225 seconds to secure the pole position at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Verstappen, currently leading the championship with a 57-point advantage, had his initial Q3 lap disqualified for exceeding track boundaries.

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Verstappen's main competitor, Lando Norris, secured the third quickest time, lagging 0.314 seconds behind the pole position. Historically, starting from the third spot on the grid has been advantageous in Mexico because of the significant slipstreaming opportunity along the circuit’s extended stretch leading to the first turn.

Charles Leclerc found himself starting from the second row in fourth position, unable to keep up with the blistering speed of his teammate at Ferrari.

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes secured positions five and six on the grid, occupying the third row, with Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, trailing by seven tenths of a second.

Kevin Magnussen secured the eighth position, followed by Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Alex Albon, with his Haas colleague Nico Hulkenberg completing the top-10.

Yuki Tsunoda met with an accident at Turn 12 while on course to claim the 11th position on the grid, just one spot in front of his Red Bull team member, Liam Lawson.

A final red flag halted any attempts at bettering second attempts, resulting in the Aston Martin pair of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll securing the 13th and 14th spots, just in front of Sauber's Valtteri Bottas, who unusually made it to Q2.

Franco Colapinto didn't make it past the first qualifying round and will begin the race in the 16th position for Williams, just in front of McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who unexpectedly did not advance, securing the 17th spot.

The pressure is intensifying for Sergio Perez as the Mexican driver secured a position only good for 18th place, leading to his elimination from the initial stage of qualifying for the fifth occasion this season.

Perez managed to outpace only Esteban Ocon from Alpine and Zhou Guanyu from Sauber.

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Carlos Sainz Secures Pole Position at Mexico City Grand Prix, Outpacing Max Verstappen

Carlos Sainz achieves his season's inaugural pole position by surpassing Max Verstappen during the qualifying rounds in Mexico.

Carlos Sainz clinched his season's inaugural pole position, surpassing F1 front-runner Max Verstappen, at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Departing Ferrari pilot Sainz managed to surpass Red Bull’s Verstappen by a margin of 0.225 seconds to secure the pole position at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Verstappen, currently ahead in the championship standings by 57 points, had his initial Q3 lap time disqualified for exceeding track boundaries.

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Max Verstappen's main competitor, Lando Norris, secured the third quickest time, lagging behind the pole position by 0.314 seconds. Historically, starting from the third position on the grid in Mexico has been advantageous due to the significant slipstream advantage along the extensive straight leading into the first corner.

Charles Leclerc found himself starting from the second row in fourth position, unable to keep up with the blistering speed of his fellow Ferrari driver.

The Mercedes duo, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, secured the fifth and sixth positions on the grid, occupying the third row, with the seven-time world champion Hamilton trailing by seven tenths of a second.

Kevin Magnussen secured the eighth position, followed by Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Alex Albon, with Haas' Nico Hulkenberg finishing in the top 10.

Yuki Tsunoda met with an accident at Turn 12 while on course to clinch the 11th spot on the grid, just one position in front of his Red Bull team mate, Liam Lawson.

An untimely red flag hindered competitors from advancing their positions with their subsequent attempts, resulting in Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finishing 13th and 14th, respectively, just before Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas, who unusually made it to Q2.

Franco Colapinto couldn't advance past the first qualifying round and will begin the race from the 16th position for Williams, just in front of McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who unexpectedly did not make it beyond 17th place.

The pressure keeps building on Sergio Perez as the Mexican driver only secured a time that placed him 18th, leading to his elimination from the initial segment of qualifying for the fifth occasion this season.

Perez managed to outpace only Esteban Ocon from Alpine and Zhou Guanyu from Sauber.

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Marc Marquez gives a candid opinion on the incident with Joan Mir in the Thailand MotoGP

There was a collision between Marc Marquez and Joan Mir during the Thailand MotoGP race.

Marc Marquez's experience at the MotoGP Thai Grand Prix unfolded in two contrasting segments, with a crash marking the division. However, the primary point of contention occurred when he collided with Joan Mir towards the race's conclusion.

On lap 14, Marquez attempted to overtake Francesco Bagnaia, who was leading the race and would ultimately win. However, Marquez fell from his second-place position. He got back on his bike in 16th place and started working his way back up to earn some points.

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During the 23rd lap, Marquez overtook Joan Mir at the third turn, but the two riders collided as they approached the apex.

Marquez moved to the inside and claimed the spot, while Mir continued in the race. However, Marquez was penalized for reckless riding and was instructed to drop one position. After the race, Marquez was demoted from 11th to 12th place, but he was later restored to his original 11th position when officials confirmed he had already completed the position drop during the race.

After the incident, Marquez anticipated receiving a penalty, but he also believed that it depended on one's point of view.

Marc Marquez came very close to recovering the front end of his bike, but unfortunately, it ended in disappointment for him and his supporters in Thailand. #MotoGP #ThaiGP pic.twitter.com/NdHc5BQERl— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) October 27, 2024

Marquez confessed, "I thought I would receive a penalty."

"I haven't seen the picture, but if it's taken from the front, that's one perspective. However, if it's captured from the end, that's a different perspective."

"However, approaching from the straightaway—even before reaching the braking point—I was already alongside Joan."

Marquez clarified that the incident wasn't as straightforward as the TV footage made it seem, where it appeared he was pushing Mir aside. Instead, he believed the collision happened because Mir was attempting to hold onto his spot.

According to Marquez, the events unfolded when he dropped three spots in the previous lap and was determined not to surrender.

At one moment, he let go of the brake and entered the corner. I had no choice in the matter because I had lost the rear brake following the crash.

"At that moment, I said 'Alright, there's contact.' I was aware that the contact occurred and understood that I would be penalized."

Understanding that a penalty was inevitable and predicting accurately that he would be instructed to lose one position, Marquez continued to push forward to lessen the penalty's effect on his race.

Marquez responded by saying, "I decided to go on the offensive; I aimed to catch up to the rider ahead, pass him, allow him to get back in front, and then overtake him once more. That's exactly what I did."

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"Max Verstappen and Lando Norris engage in direct conversations during drivers' meeting; some drivers view this as FIA acknowledging fault."

According to reports, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris engaged in a spirited discussion during a drivers' meeting in Mexico, focusing on the rules of fair defense and overtaking.

A major discussion at this weekend's F1 Mexico City Grand Prix centered on whether Verstappen and Norris adhered to regulations during last week's event in Texas, where the McLaren driver received a penalty from the stewards.

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According to a report by Sky Sports' Craig Slater, the topic was addressed face-to-face during the customary drivers' meeting held on a Friday.

According to Slater, the drivers' meeting in Mexico City was animated, with Lando Norris and Max Verstappen engaging in straightforward discussions about defense and overtaking strategies.

"I was informed that they behaved in a 'calm' and 'respectful' manner."

Discussions were primarily centered around the rules of engagement and ways to enhance them. Most drivers agreed that the standards require improvement, and there is a need to intensify the current evaluation efforts.

The meeting began with the drivers inquiring of the FIA about the decision-making process used by the stewards in incidents such as the clash between Verstappen and Norris. Their goal was to gain a clearer understanding of how these decisions are reached.

In an intriguing development, the FIA revealed that it plans to revise the language in the racing guidelines and will forward these updates to the drivers for their feedback.

Some people interpreted this as an acknowledgment that the existing rules have been manipulated due to loopholes. However, most individuals viewed it favorably that the FIA was willing to self-reflect and make necessary adjustments.

A different topic debated was if the stewards are effectively applying all the rules at their disposal in situations similar to the Norris-Verstappen incident.

Several individuals highlighted that the regulation against pushing another driver off the track might still be relevant in these situations. They argued that, despite the current guidelines, drivers should not be allowed to force others off the track.

To put it differently, there is a definite and demonstrable difference between navigating a corner properly and taking a corner with the primary objective of forcing another driver off the track.

In the end, it is acknowledged that the regulations will always have some imperfections. There is a desire to refine the language and clarify the guidelines more effectively.

The FIA states that the guidelines for drivers were created at the drivers' request, developed with input from the sport's governing body, and ultimately approved by the GPDA, the drivers' association. The organization is dedicated to refining these guidelines, which have been updated multiple times in recent seasons.

Alex Wurz, the chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the stewards, acknowledging the challenging nature of their responsibilities. He emphasized the value of maintaining a strong dialogue to enhance the consistency of decision-making, noting that progress has been made in this area. However, he also pointed out that there is still potential for further enhancement. Wurz emphasized that the aim is not to impose excessive regulations but rather to ensure exciting races. He believes that with a united effort, the guidelines can be improved for the upcoming season.

Charles Leclerc from Ferrari was requested to share his opinion on the ongoing discussion.

Leclerc commented that while he wouldn't delve into specifics about internal discussions, there was a collective desire to enhance the situations observed in Austin, as it seemed there wasn't a unified approach among everyone involved.

The FIA has shown a willingness to engage in dialogue and has acknowledged the need for some changes.

"In the future, we aim to assist them in making more informed decisions and to choose tracks that potentially generate less controversy than the one in Austin."

"If there are gravel traps or curbs in certain corners, it would simplify things for everyone, but that's just how it is."

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Sergio Perez discloses a braking problem as the cause of his F1 qualifying mishap in Mexico

"This issue has persisted over the past three races, preventing me from halting the car."

Sergio Perez disclosed that a persistent problem with his brakes was the cause of his disappointing qualifying performance at the Mexico City Grand Prix, which took place in his home country.

Perez was eliminated in the first qualifying round, having faced difficulties with speed during the entire qualifying session.

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Perez's poor performance streak persists, with the exception of his competitive showing in Baku, where he vied for a top-three finish.

Perez hasn't secured a top-three finish since his performance at the Chinese Grand Prix back in April.

Addressing the press in Mexico, where Crash.net has a presence in the paddock, Perez detailed how a persistent brake problem is affecting his performance.

"I've been having a tough time with braking," he mentioned. "Whenever I attempt to brake and go hard on it, I end up exerting too much force on the tires, making it really difficult for me to bring the car to a halt.

"For the past three races, I've been struggling with an inability to halt the car effectively. I find myself having to adjust my braking significantly, which is evident from the data. However, we haven't been able to resolve this issue yet."

Perez expressed frustration regarding the performance of his RB20 in slow corners, mentioning difficulties in maneuvering the vehicle.

He further mentioned, "The problem we're encountering primarily occurs in a straight line. It primarily occurs in a straight line. I'm unable to bring the car to a halt.

"I simply find myself sliding excessively. Considering that this is entirely about how sensitive the surface is, it significantly increases the difficulty."

Perez is set to begin the race in the 18th position, aiming to excite the local fans.

The Mexican acknowledged that the problem with the brakes is expected to affect his performance on Sunday.

"The challenge intensifies, especially during the extended periods. I'm committed to exploring every possibility, collaborating with the team to uncover viable solutions," he further stated.

"Clearly, it's quite disheartening. This grand prix is one that I'm particularly eager to excel in. Regrettably, the event has proven to be quite challenging and complicated."

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Thai MotoGP Rider Evaluations: A Comeback Leads to Podium Success in Buriram

Crash.net rates each rider out of 10 following the Thai MotoGP event.

Here are our evaluations of the riders following the Aragon MotoGP, highlighting one racer who impressed with a comeback performance that nearly secured a podium finish.

Francesco Bagnaia – 8

On Saturday, Francesco Bagnaia's bid for the World Championship came to an end. He couldn't keep up with Jorge Martin's pace, and after the Sprint, the defending champion appeared resigned to his fate.

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It remains uncertain if he would have emerged victorious at the Thai Grand Prix had the conditions been dry. However, when faced with the rain, Bagnaia seized the chance. Although Marc Marquez's fall worked in his favor, the crucial point is that Bagnaia managed to stay on his bike without incident.

Bagnaia secured a win with an impressive performance, marking his ninth Grand Prix triumph of the season. This achievement ensures that, even if he needs to reattach the #63 to his Desmosedici during the Valencia test, he will not head into the winter with any sense that he has already reached the height of his career.

Jorge Martin – 8.5

After Bagnaia didn't maintain his high score on Saturday afternoon, Martin faced a similar situation on Sunday. Following his second-place finish on Saturday, Martin found himself in a favorable scenario. Although it appears simpler in theory than in practice, he can now secure the championship by consistently finishing in second place for the remainder of the season, no matter the outcomes achieved by Bagnaia.

On Sunday, he accomplished precisely that. Admittedly, Marc Marquez's crash played a role, but if Marquez hadn't crashed, he likely would have won, which would have cost Bagnaia another point relative to Martin.

Martin's performance earned him an eight, mainly because he couldn't match the speed of his sole remaining rival in the 2024 MotoGP World Championship. Nevertheless, Martin had a strong weekend overall. He started with a 20-point advantage and managed to maintain most of it, losing just three points.

Pedro Acosta – 7.5

During the 2013 French Grand Prix, Marc Marquez encountered numerous errors, estimated at around 100,000, during the initial half of his debut MotoGP race under rainy conditions. However, he managed to correct his course and ultimately secured a third-place finish on the podium.

In Thailand, the situation somewhat mirrored that experience for Pedro Acosta, who veered off at turn three early in his debut MotoGP race under rainy conditions. As he attempted to regain his position, he committed several other minor errors.

His speed towards the end was remarkable. He prevented Jack Miller from securing a spot on the podium and might have even overtaken Jorge Martin if the Australian hadn't resisted so effectively.

Following a crash during the Sprint race that left him without points for the fifth consecutive event since his podium finish in Indonesia, Acosta's return to the podium on Sunday highlighted his quickness. His path to this achievement underscored his versatility and skill.

Fabio Di Giannantonio – 7.5

Di Giannantonio's performance mirrored Acosta's in many ways, but he managed to avoid any errors.

He began the race at a moderate speed, but his performance improved steadily as the competition progressed.

It is undeniably strange that the only Ducati rider who will finish the season without securing a podium finish in either a Grand Prix or a Sprint race is the same rider who has been awarded the third factory Desmosedici for the upcoming year. Despite not winning any trophies, Di Giannantonio has shown remarkable performances at various times throughout the season, and his last race of the year in Thailand was yet another example of this.

Jack Miller – 7.5

Jack Miller was on track to secure his first MotoGP podium of the 2024 season at the Thai Grand Prix. However, during the last two laps, his fortunes changed as Acosta and Di Giannantonio, both exhibiting greater speed, overtook him.

He earns a 7.5 rating like the other two, as it signifies progress from his previous performances. Sure, the circumstances on Sunday were ones he typically excels in, but he still had to perform on the bike, which he did admirably. A heavy rain and a red flag around three-and-a-half laps before the finish would have been beneficial for him, though.

Brad Binder – 6.5

Among the trio of KTM riders anticipated to secure top-10 finishes (excluding Augusto Fernandez, as expectations for his top-10 presence in a MotoGP race have diminished), Brad Binder had the least favorable result in Thailand. He didn't perform poorly; however, his fellow KTM riders surpassed him on that occasion.

Maverick Vinales faced challenges with grip in dry conditions, though these problems were less noticeable when it was wet. Despite this, finishing seventh in the Thai Grand Prix does little to compensate for his 20th-place result in the previous day's Sprint.

Johann Zarco – 8

Securing a place in the top 10 with a Honda in any MotoGP race during 2024 is no small feat. Therefore, Johann Zarco’s eighth-place finish at the Thai Grand Prix stands out as one of the season's most overlooked performances, largely because Zarco isn't competing for the championship title. Nonetheless, his achievement was impressive, especially as it followed his direct qualification to Q2 in Friday's sessions.

Aleix Espargaro experienced a challenging Saturday in Thailand, largely due to the excessive heat from his Aprilia RS-GP, a recurring issue. In wet conditions, he struggled to match the speed of his teammate, Vinales. Ending up 10 seconds behind a teammate usually indicates a tough day, and his podium finish in the Austrian Sprint is now a distant memory.

Alex Marquez – Rating: 6.5

Alex Marquez had a challenging time at the Thailand Grand Prix. He experienced a fall during the sighting lap and eventually finished in a disappointing 10th place. He managed to finish just 1.1 seconds in front of his brother and teammate, Marc Marquez, who had also crashed but rejoined the race. However, Alex performed reasonably well in the Sprint, securing fifth place and finishing ahead of Franco Morbidelli, who was riding a GP24 Desmosedici, while Alex was on the older GP23 model.

Marc Marquez – 6.5

There appears to be a trend of 6.5 ratings on this list, as many racers experienced weekends with highs that were offset by lows.

A prime example is Marc Marquez's performance at the Grand Prix. Initially, he was in contention for the win during the first half of the race. Even after crashing while in second place, he impressively made his way back through the pack in the remaining laps.

There is no question that Marquez would have defeated Bagnaia if he hadn't fallen. Nonetheless, he did fall, and his performance was somewhat disappointing, especially considering his own very high standards. During the Sprint, he managed to secure fourth place but could not match the speed of the GP24 riders who ended up on the podium.

A qualifying crash has concluded what has been a rather inconsistent weekend for the rider. Just a week ago, everyone thought he would dominate the 2025 season, making it unexciting.

Although he might still do it, this weekend he graciously reminded us that he isn't perfect.

Luca Marini – Score: 6.5

Luca Marini appears to struggle with utilizing the hard-construction rear tire provided by Michelin for races in Thailand, Indonesia, and Austria. On Saturday, he only managed to outpace Maverick Viñales, who was grappling with grip issues, and Lorenzo Savadori, who was filling in for Miguel Oliveira. Marini expressed frustration over his inability to enhance the bike's performance.

However, come Sunday, the rain had washed away the more challenging track, bringing him back to his usual position, surrounded by the Hondas and leading his teammate, Joan Mir.

While not remarkable, it's adequate — and it's likely more advantageous to face challenges with the tire used just three times annually instead of the one employed in the remaining 17 races.

Takaaki Nakagami – 6

Takaaki Nakagami remained largely unnoticed throughout the weekend. It seems like he's just biding his time until the season concludes, which is understandable considering his current equipment doesn't allow him to compete for significant positions.

Finishing in 13th place and earning three points is considered quite satisfactory for someone riding the RC213V in the 2024 season.

Enea Bastianini – 7

It's quite strange that Enea Bastianini has been performing significantly better in Sprint races compared to Grands Prix, yet this is indeed the case.

In recent MotoGP events, a rider known for his exceptional tire management has secured podium finishes in the last three Sprint races, notably clinching a victory in Thailand this weekend. However, he has also experienced crashes in two of the previous three Grand Prix races.

During the race in Thailand, Bastianini's accident stemmed from a disappointing beginning. Although he began in second place, he dropped to 13th by the conclusion of the initial lap. His Ducati Lenovo Team advised him against employing the front start mechanism to prevent wheelspin, but this led to lower power in the first segment of the lap.

The outcome was an effort to regain positions. However, he experienced a fall at the eighth turn, leading to a further decline in his chances of winning the title, which have now completely vanished.

Although it wasn't one of Bastianini's top weekends, his second-place finish in qualifying and victory in the Sprint race indicate it wasn't his worst either.

Joan Mir – 7

We might be showing some bias due to sympathy for Joan Mir, but overall, he was performing well over the weekend in Thailand. However, as both races neared their end, things didn't go his way.

The Sprint race took a turn for the worse during the final laps as Mir lost traction. A similar situation unfolded during the Grand Prix. This time, however, he found himself sliding towards Marc Marquez, who had rejoined the race and quickly nudged Mir aside at the third turn.

Mir didn't achieve the desired outcomes, but he demonstrated respectable speed and maintained a positive outlook on Saturday. Given the current circumstances, this optimism seems to be the best he can hope for.

Fabio Quartararo – 8

It might seem crazy to give a MotoGP World Champion an eight when he didn't earn any points over the weekend. Yet, that's the situation we're in.

Fabio Quartararo likely had the speed to break Ducati's hold on the top eight in the Sprint race. However, he was pushed down to 15th place after a first-lap maneuver by Brad Binder, which resulted in him finishing in 10th place.

At that very corner, Franco Morbidelli forced him out of the race during the Grand Prix.

Following the race, Quartararo believed he could have secured a top-seven finish in the Grand Prix. However, similar to his experience in 2022, he was unfortunate with the rainy conditions in Thailand.

Similar to Mir, but even more so, Quartararo showed promise in Buriram, although he didn't achieve the desired outcome.

Augusto Fernandez – 5

Rating the performance of a rider who hasn't appeared on TV from Friday through Sunday is challenging. Yet, a 16th place followed by a Did Not Finish (DNF) for Augusto Fernandez sums up his overall lackluster season.

Alex Rins – 5

For an explanation of Alex Rins' score, refer to the section about Augusto Fernandez just above. With a 17th place finish followed by a Did Not Finish (DNF), the main distinction between Rins' and Fernandez's weekends was the color and brand of their bikes: Rins was on a black Yamaha while Fernandez was on a red KTM.

Lorenzo Savadori – 5

Much like Fernandez and Rins, Savadori went largely unnoticed throughout the weekend, except for his crash. In the end, his role is primarily to occupy a spot rather than achieve impressive results. Given his 21-DNF record, a score of five seems fitting under any conditions.

Franco Morbidelli – 4

Franco Morbidelli experienced a weekend similar to those of Joan Mir and Fabio Quartararo. However, unlike them, the primary factor holding him back from reaching the outcomes his talent hinted at was none other than Franco Morbidelli himself.

During the qualifying session, he had an accident, which resulted in him beginning the race from the 11th position. In the Sprint, he was overtaken by two GP23 bikes belonging to the Gresini team riders. On race day, he initially displayed impressive speed but ended up colliding with Fabio Quartararo, received a long lap penalty, and ultimately crashed, ending his race.

Morbidelli explained that the collision with Quartararo occurred because the Yamaha rider reduced speed sooner than anticipated. To prevent hitting him, Morbidelli had to steer his bike to the inside. For someone not involved in racing, this approach—directing your bike towards the path of the one you want to dodge—appears to be an ineffective strategy for avoiding a crash.

Raul Fernandez – 5.5

Raul Fernandez became a favorite among nearly all motorcycle racing enthusiasts in Australia by securing a 10th-place finish without the use of aerodynamic wings. However, he quickly lost their attention in Thailand, where he finished 14th in the Sprint race and crashed during the Grand Prix.

Marco Bezzecchi – 6.5

Marco Bezzecchi was the first racer to withdraw from the Thai Grand Prix. The silver lining for him is that he only has two more race weekends with the Desmosedici GP23 before he can switch to his new motorcycle in Valencia next month.

The downside is that the motorcycle he’s about to ride is the Aprilia RS-GP. Although Bezzecchi’s sixth-place finish in the Sprint race in Thailand was average, it wasn’t terrible. In contrast, Vinales’ performance, landing him in 20th place, was much closer to being described as awful.

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George Russell addresses concerns over cost cap following another Mercedes accident

"It might be necessary to make sacrifices for the remainder of this season"

George Russell has responded to concerns regarding Mercedes' budget limitations following multiple accidents.

During a practice session for the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix, Russell experienced a loss of control with his W15, just a few days following another crash in Texas.

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Lewis Hamilton also lost control and spun during the race in the United States last weekend.

Mercedes team principal, Wolff, mentioned to Sky Sports in Mexico that there have been several significant crashes in recent races.

"The frame suffered damage. Although we can fix it, it won't be operational at this location."

"The atmosphere fluctuates between high and low."

He mentioned, "After two significant collisions, the chassis requires repairs before the Brazil event."

"It's challenging…"

Due to damage to the updated floor of his W15, Russell is left with no choice but to use an earlier version.

However, he asserted that the harm done to Mercedes’ components will not push them beyond the $135 million spending limit.

He stated that there are no worries regarding the budget cap, as they always maintain a small buffer. Additionally, he mentioned that they constantly evaluate how much to invest in the current season compared to the next.

"At this point, we might need to sacrifice the remainder of this season. Frankly, I would likely support this approach since we are not in contention for a championship."

"I would be perfectly content remaining on the previous level if it improves our prospects for the upcoming year."

"However, I believe we can fix the floor while we're in Austin. That seems to be the strategy."

"The situation turned out to be better than we first thought, and it is anticipated to be released in Brazil."

Russell will begin the Mexico City Grand Prix in fifth position, while Hamilton will be starting in sixth place.

Wolff commented on the problems with their W15 vehicle, stating, "The car only operates effectively within a very limited range."

"When we raced on a fast track in chilly conditions, we were the fastest. Cold weather suits us well."

"When everything aligns perfectly, we have the ability to be fast during a single lap."

"When the tires get too hot, it dramatically amplifies the problem."

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