P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Live updates from Friday practice at 2025 Japanese MotoGP at Motegi, where Marc Marquez has his first chance to win this year’s world championship.
The Ducati Lenovo rider returns to Japan, where he has celebrated past title victories with Honda, now leading his younger brother Alex by 182 points.
Marc Marquez, despite not being able to secure the championship in the Sprint race, can clinch his first MotoGP title since 2019 if he maintains a lead of at least 185 points over Alex on Sunday.
With Francesco Bagnaia falling 275 points behind, Marc and Alex (Gresini Ducati) remain the only contenders for the world championship.
Last year’s Japanese Grand Prix winner, Italian Bagnaia, is now facing a challenge to retain third place, as Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi is just eight points behind following a strong performance in Misano.
KTM’s Pedro Acosta, who secured pole position as a rookie in the 2024 event but later crashed out of both races, could emerge as a new challenger in the standings.
