Marquez Extends Dominance with Dramatic Hungarian GP Win, Championship Lead Swells
Budapest, Hungary – Marc Marquez (Ducati) continued his amazing run of form at the inaugural Hungarian Grand Prix, securing his 14th consecutive MotoGP victory and extending his championship lead to a staggering 175 points. Though, the win wasn’t without drama, as a near-crash in the early laps threatened to derail his race.
The Balaton Park Circuit proved a challenging venue, with Marquez facing immediate pressure from Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) at the start. A late braking maneuver into the first corner nearly resulted in contact, and a subsequent incident in Turn 2 – caused by a misjudgment of Bezzecchi’s speed – saw Marquez momentarily overtaken by Franco Morbidelli (VR46 Ducati).
“I braked into the first curve late and was able to delay well,” Marquez explained after the race. “Then I let go of the brake again… I turned into the curve late and it was clear to me that I would lose the first position. But I preferred not to take the risk. what happened in curve 2 was my mistake.”
Despite the early scare, Marquez quickly regained composure. he passed Morbidelli in the fifth lap and then expertly overtook Bezzecchi in the 11th, establishing a lead he would never relinquish. He crossed the finish line a commanding 4.314 seconds ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM), with Bezzecchi rounding out the podium.
Marquez: Unstoppable Force?
The Spaniard’s performance has left rivals and experts alike searching for answers. many believe Marquez is currently operating on a level that only he can match. This victory marked his seventh consecutive double victory (Sprint and Grand Prix) and his 23rd win in 28 races this season – a tenth Grand Prix victory in a single season, a feat previously achieved only in 2014 and 2019.
“I can’t lie, I felt pleasant,” Marquez admitted. “But we saw again that everything can happen.” he also acknowledged the need for strategic thinking as the championship progresses. “The day will come when one is faster than me. In such a case, it will be wiser to take the points for second or third place for the championship.”
Championship Implications
With a massive lead in the standings, Marquez is rapidly closing in on a seventh MotoGP World Championship title. If he wins the upcoming races in Spain and Italy, and his brother Alex fails to score, Marquez coudl clinch the championship as early as the Misano round.
“Of course I think about it,” Marquez said, “But we still have to keep our mentality and focus.” He expressed hope to secure the title in Japan or Mandalika, but acknowledged a misano victory would require a tough weekend for his brother.
Full Race Results – MotoGP Balaton Park (August 24):
- Marc marquez (Ducati) - 42:37.681
- Pedro Acosta (KTM) +4.314 sec
- Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) +7.488 sec
