Hubbry Logo
2018 MotoGP World Championship2018 MotoGP World ChampionshipMain
Open search
2018 MotoGP World Championship
Community hub
2018 MotoGP World Championship
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
2018 MotoGP World Championship
2018 MotoGP World Championship
from Wikipedia
Marc Márquez was the 2018 MotoGP Champion.

The 2018 FIM MotoGP World Championship was the premier class of the 70th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season. Marc Márquez entered the season as the reigning champion, with Repsol Honda Team being the reigning team champions and Honda the reigning constructors' champions.

Originally scheduled for 19 races, the season was reduced by one Grand Prix due to the cancellation of the 26 August Silverstone event due to unsafe track conditions involving standing water after a rider vote.[1][2][3][4][5]

Marc Márquez clinched the championship trophy on 21 October 2018 after sixteen rounds, winning three consecutive races during spring, another three consecutive races during autumn and nine overall. Andrea Dovizioso finished in second and Valentino Rossi ended up in third, the former with four wins, while Rossi did not record a race win. Jorge Lorenzo with three wins and a win apiece for Cal Crutchlow and Maverick Viñales were the other race winners. Yamaha suffered their worst winless streak in their history with no wins for 25 races, which lasted from the 2017 German Grand Prix until Viñales won the Australian Grand Prix. KTM got their first podium finish at the Valencian Grand Prix with Pol Espargaró, finishing in third.

Teams and riders

[edit]
Team Constructor Motorcycle No. Rider Rounds
Italy Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Aprilia RS-GP 41 Spain Aleix Espargaró[6] All
45 United Kingdom Scott Redding[7] All
Italy Ducati Team Ducati Desmosedici GP18 04 Italy Andrea Dovizioso[8] All
99 Spain Jorge Lorenzo[9] 1–16, 18–19[N 1]
19 Spain Álvaro Bautista[10] 17
51 Italy Michele Pirro[11] 18[N 1]
51 Italy Michele Pirro 6, 13, 19
Italy Alma Pramac Racing 9 Italy Danilo Petrucci[12] All
Desmosedici GP17 43 Australia Jack Miller[13][14] All
Spain Ángel Nieto Team[15] 19 Spain Álvaro Bautista[16] 1–16, 18–19
17 Czech Republic Karel Abraham[17][10] 17
Desmosedici GP16 1–16, 18–19
7 Australia Mike Jones[10] 17
Spain Reale Avintia Racing[18] Desmosedici GP17 53 Spain Tito Rabat[19] 1–12
10 Belgium Xavier Siméon[20] 13–19
Desmosedici GP16 1–12
23 France Christophe Ponsson[21] 13
81 Spain Jordi Torres[22] 14–19
Belgium EG 0,0 Marc VDS[23] Honda RC213V 12 Switzerland Thomas Lüthi[24] All
21 Italy Franco Morbidelli[25] All[N 2]
6 Germany Stefan Bradl[26] 9[N 2]
Monaco LCR Honda Idemitsu
Monaco LCR Honda Castrol
30 Japan Takaaki Nakagami[27] All
35 United Kingdom Cal Crutchlow[28] 1–17
6 Germany Stefan Bradl[29] 18–19
Japan Repsol Honda Team 26 Spain Dani Pedrosa[30] All
93 Spain Marc Márquez[31] All
Japan HRC Honda Team 6 Germany Stefan Bradl 10, 13
Austria Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM RC16 38 United Kingdom Bradley Smith[32] All
44 Spain Pol Espargaró[32] 1–10, 13–19
76 France Loris Baz[33] 12
36 Finland Mika Kallio 4, 7, 9
Japan Team Suzuki Ecstar Suzuki GSX-RR 29 Italy Andrea Iannone[34] All
42 Spain Álex Rins[35] All
50 France Sylvain Guintoli 7, 10, 16
France Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1 5 France Johann Zarco[36] All
55 Malaysia Hafizh Syahrin[37] All
Japan Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 25 Spain Maverick Viñales[38] All
46 Italy Valentino Rossi[39] All
Japan Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing 89 Japan Katsuyuki Nakasuga 16
Key
Regular rider
Replacement rider
Wildcard rider

All teams used series-specified Michelin tyres.[40]

Team changes

[edit]

Rider changes

[edit]

Mid-season changes

[edit]

Calendar

[edit]

The following Grands Prix took place in 2018:[43]

Round Date Grand Prix Circuit
1 18 March[a] Qatar Grand Prix of Qatar[44] Losail International Circuit, Lusail
2 8 April Argentina Gran Premio Motul de la República Argentina[45] Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo, Termas de Río Hondo
3 22 April United States Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas[46] Circuit of the Americas, Austin
4 6 May Spain Gran Premio Red Bull de España[47] Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, Jerez de la Frontera
5 20 May France HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France[48] Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans
6 3 June Italy Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley[49] Mugello Circuit, Scarperia e San Piero
7 17 June Catalonia Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya[50] Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló
8 1 July Netherlands Motul TT Assen[51] TT Circuit Assen, Assen
9 15 July Germany Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland[52] Sachsenring, Hohenstein-Ernstthal
10 5 August Czech Republic Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky[53] Brno Circuit, Brno
11 12 August Austria Eyetime Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
12 26 August United Kingdom GoPro British Grand Prix[54] Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone
13 9 September San Marino Gran Premio Octo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini[55] Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Misano Adriatico
14 23 September Aragon Gran Premio Movistar de Aragón[56] MotorLand Aragón, Alcañiz
15 7 October Thailand PTT Thailand Grand Prix[57] Chang International Circuit, Buriram
16 21 October Japan Motul Grand Prix of Japan[58] Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi
17 28 October Australia Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix[59] Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Phillip Island
18 4 November Malaysia Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix[60] Sepang International Circuit, Sepang
19 18 November Valencian Community Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana[61] Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia

Calendar changes

[edit]
Layout used in 2016 and 2017
Layout used starting 2018
Comparison between the configuration of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya used in 2016 and 2017 (top), and the layout used starting 2018 (bottom).
  • The British Grand Prix was scheduled to move from Silverstone to the new Circuit of Wales, but construction on the new track has not commenced.[62] The two circuits reached a deal that will see Silverstone with an option to host the 2018 race.[63] In the end, the British Grand Prix saw all three races being cancelled due to dangerous track conditions on race day, and was not re-arranged.
  • The Thailand Grand Prix is a new addition to the calendar, with the race scheduled for 7 October.
  • The Catalan Grand Prix used a new configuration of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, wherein the previous set of corners of turns 13, 14 and 15 were combined into a sweeping right corner. The new layout was previously used in Formula 1 from 2004 to 2006.

Results and standings

[edit]

Grands Prix

[edit]
Round Grand Prix Pole position Fastest lap Winning rider Winning team Winning constructor Report
1 Qatar Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix France Johann Zarco Italy Andrea Dovizioso Italy Andrea Dovizioso Italy Ducati Team Italy Ducati Report
2 Argentina Argentine Republic motorcycle Grand Prix Australia Jack Miller Spain Marc Márquez United Kingdom Cal Crutchlow Monaco LCR Honda Castrol Japan Honda Report
3 United States Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas Spain Marc Márquez[N 3] Spain Marc Márquez Spain Marc Márquez Japan Repsol Honda Team Japan Honda Report
4 Spain Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix United Kingdom Cal Crutchlow Spain Marc Márquez Spain Marc Márquez Japan Repsol Honda Team Japan Honda Report
5 France French motorcycle Grand Prix France Johann Zarco Spain Marc Márquez Spain Marc Márquez Japan Repsol Honda Team Japan Honda Report
6 Italy Italian motorcycle Grand Prix Italy Valentino Rossi Italy Danilo Petrucci Spain Jorge Lorenzo Italy Ducati Team Italy Ducati Report
7 Catalonia Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix Spain Jorge Lorenzo Spain Jorge Lorenzo Spain Jorge Lorenzo Italy Ducati Team Italy Ducati Report
8 Netherlands Dutch TT Spain Marc Márquez Spain Maverick Viñales Spain Marc Márquez Japan Repsol Honda Team Japan Honda Report
9 Germany German motorcycle Grand Prix Spain Marc Márquez Spain Marc Márquez Spain Marc Márquez Japan Repsol Honda Team Japan Honda Report
10 Czech Republic Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix Italy Andrea Dovizioso Spain Jorge Lorenzo Italy Andrea Dovizioso Italy Ducati Team Italy Ducati Report
11 Austria Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix Spain Marc Márquez Italy Andrea Dovizioso Spain Jorge Lorenzo Italy Ducati Team Italy Ducati Report
12 United Kingdom British motorcycle Grand Prix Spain Jorge Lorenzo Race cancelled[N 4] Report
13 San Marino San Marino and Rimini Riviera motorcycle Grand Prix Spain Jorge Lorenzo Italy Andrea Dovizioso Italy Andrea Dovizioso Italy Ducati Team Italy Ducati Report
14 Aragon Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix Spain Jorge Lorenzo Italy Andrea Dovizioso Spain Marc Márquez Japan Repsol Honda Team Japan Honda Report
15 Thailand Thailand motorcycle Grand Prix Spain Marc Márquez Spain Marc Márquez Spain Marc Márquez Japan Repsol Honda Team Japan Honda Report
16 Japan Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix Italy Andrea Dovizioso Spain Marc Márquez Spain Marc Márquez Japan Repsol Honda Team Japan Honda Report
17 Australia Australian motorcycle Grand Prix Spain Marc Márquez Spain Maverick Viñales Spain Maverick Viñales Japan Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Japan Yamaha Report
18 Malaysia Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix Spain Marc Márquez[N 5] Spain Álex Rins Spain Marc Márquez Japan Repsol Honda Team Japan Honda Report
19 Valencian Community Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix Spain Maverick Viñales Italy Andrea Dovizioso Italy Andrea Dovizioso Italy Ducati Team Italy Ducati Report

Riders' standings

[edit]
Scoring system

Points were awarded to the top fifteen finishers. A rider had to finish the race to earn points.

Position  1st   2nd   3rd   4th   5th   6th   7th   8th   9th   10th   11th   12th   13th   14th   15th 
Points 25 20 16 13 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Pos. Rider Bike Team QAT
Qatar
ARG
Argentina
AME
United States
SPA
Spain
FRA
France
ITA
Italy
CAT
Catalonia
NED
Netherlands
GER
Germany
CZE
Czech Republic
AUT
Austria
GBR
United Kingdom
RSM
San Marino
ARA
Aragon
THA
Thailand
JPN
Japan
AUS
Australia
MAL
Malaysia
VAL
Valencian Community
Pts
1 Spain Marc Márquez Honda Repsol Honda Team 2 18F 1P F 1F 1F 16 2 1P 1P F 3 2P C 2 1 1P F 1F RetP 1P Ret 321
2 Italy Andrea Dovizioso Ducati Ducati Team 1F 6 5 Ret Ret 2 Ret 4 7 1P 3F C 1F 2F 2 18P 3 6 1F 245
3 Italy Valentino Rossi Yamaha Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 3 19 4 5 3 3P 3 5 2 4 6 C 7 8 4 4 6 18 13 198
4 Spain Maverick Viñales Yamaha Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 6 5 2 7 7 8 6 3F 3 Ret 12 C 5 10 3 7 1F 4 RetP 193
5 Spain Álex Rins Suzuki Team Suzuki Ecstar Ret 3 Ret Ret 10 5 Ret 2 Ret 11 8 C 4 4 6 3 5 2F 2 169
6 France Johann Zarco Yamaha Monster Yamaha Tech 3 8P 2 6 2 RetP 10 7 8 9 7 9 C 10 14 5 6 Ret 3 7 158
7 United Kingdom Cal Crutchlow Honda LCR Honda Castrol 4 1 19 RetP 8 6 4 6 Ret 5 4 C 3 Ret 7 2 DNS 148
8 Italy Danilo Petrucci Ducati Alma Pramac Racing 5 10 12 4 2 7F 8 Ret 4 6 5 C 11 7 9 9 12 9 Ret 144
9 Spain Jorge Lorenzo Ducati Ducati Team Ret 15 11 Ret 6 1 1P F 7 6 2F 1 CP 17P RetP DNS DNS WD 12 134
10 Italy Andrea Iannone Suzuki Team Suzuki Ecstar 9 8 3 3 Ret 4 10 11 12 10 13 C 8 3 11 Ret 2 Ret Ret 133
11 Spain Dani Pedrosa Honda Repsol Honda Team 7 Ret 7 Ret 5 Ret 5 15 8 8 7 C 6 5 Ret 8 Ret 5 5 117
12 Spain Álvaro Bautista Ducati Ángel Nieto Team 13 16 15 8 Ret 9 9 9 5 9 10 C 9 Ret 8 5 7 Ret 105
Ducati Team 4
13 Australia Jack Miller Ducati Alma Pramac Racing 10 4P 9 6 4 Ret Ret 10 14 12 18 C 18 9 10 Ret 7 8 Ret 91
14 Spain Pol Espargaró KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Ret 11 13 11 11 11 11 12 Ret DNS Ret DNS 21 13 Ret Ret 3 51
15 Italy Franco Morbidelli Honda EG 0,0 Marc VDS 12 14 21 9 13 15 14 DNS WD 13 19 C 12 11 14 11 8 12 Ret 50
16 Malaysia Hafizh Syahrin Yamaha Monster Yamaha Tech 3 14 9 Ret 16 12 12 Ret 18 11 14 16 C 19 18 12 10 Ret 10 10 46
17 Spain Aleix Espargaró Aprilia Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 19 Ret 10 Ret 9 Ret Ret 13 DNS 15 17 C 14 6 13 Ret 9 11 Ret 44
18 United Kingdom Bradley Smith KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 18 Ret 16 13 14 14 Ret 17 10 Ret 14 C 16 13 15 12 10 15 8 38
19 Spain Tito Rabat Ducati Reale Avintia Racing 11 7 8 14 Ret 13 Ret 16 13 Ret 11 C 35
20 Japan Takaaki Nakagami Honda LCR Honda Idemitsu 17 13 14 12 15 18 Ret 19 Ret 17 15 C 13 12 22 15 14 14 6 33
21 United Kingdom Scott Redding Aprilia Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 20 12 17 15 Ret Ret 12 14 15 Ret 20 C 21 16 16 19 13 19 11 20
22 Italy Michele Pirro Ducati Ducati Team DNS 15 Ret 4 14
23 Czech Republic Karel Abraham Ducati Ángel Nieto Team 15 20 Ret 18 17 Ret 13 Ret 18 18 21 C 20 15 17 Ret 11 Ret 14 12
24 Germany Stefan Bradl Honda EG 0,0 Marc VDS 16 10
HRC Honda Team Ret Ret
LCR Honda Castrol 13 9
25 Finland Mika Kallio KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 10 Ret DNS 6
26 Japan Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing 14 2
27 Belgium Xavier Siméon Ducati Reale Avintia Racing 21 21 20 17 18 17 Ret Ret 19 20 Ret C Ret 19 18 16 15 17 DNS 1
28 Spain Jordi Torres Ducati Reale Avintia Racing 20 19 17 17 DNS 15 1
29 Switzerland Thomas Lüthi Honda EG 0,0 Marc VDS 16 17 18 Ret 16 Ret Ret 20 17 16 22 C 22 17 20 20 16 16 Ret 0
30 Australia Mike Jones Ducati Ángel Nieto Team 18 0
31 France Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki Team Suzuki Ecstar Ret 19 21 0
32 France Christophe Ponsson Ducati Reale Avintia Racing 23 0
France Loris Baz KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Racing C 0
Pos. Rider Bike Team QAT
Qatar
ARG
Argentina
AME
United States
SPA
Spain
FRA
France
ITA
Italy
CAT
Catalonia
NED
Netherlands
GER
Germany
CZE
Czech Republic
AUT
Austria
GBR
United Kingdom
RSM
San Marino
ARA
Aragon
THA
Thailand
JPN
Japan
AUS
Australia
MAL
Malaysia
VAL
Valencian Community
Pts
Source:[68]
Race key
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green Points finish
Blue Non-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
Purple Retired (Ret)
Red Did not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
Black Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Did not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)
Annotation Meaning
P Pole position
F Fastest lap
Rider key
Colour Meaning
Light blue Rookie rider

Constructors' standings

[edit]

Each constructor received the same number of points as their best placed rider in each race.

Pos. Constructor QAT
Qatar
ARG
Argentina
AME
United States
SPA
Spain
FRA
France
ITA
Italy
CAT
Catalonia
NED
Netherlands
GER
Germany
CZE
Czech Republic
AUT
Austria
GBR
United Kingdom
RSM
San Marino
ARA
Aragon
THA
Thailand
JPN
Japan
AUS
Australia
MAL
Malaysia
VAL
Valencian Community
Pts
1 Japan Honda 2 1 1 1 1 6 2 1 1 3 2 C 2 1 1 1 8 1 5 375
2 Italy Ducati 1 4 5 4 2 1 1 4 4 1 1 C 1 2 2 5 3 6 1 335
3 Japan Yamaha 3 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 2 4 6 C 5 8 3 4 1 3 7 281
4 Japan Suzuki 9 3 3 3 10 4 10 2 12 10 8 C 4 3 6 3 2 2 2 233
5 Austria KTM 18 11 13 10 11 11 11 12 10 Ret 14 C 16 13 15 12 10 15 3 72
6 Italy Aprilia 19 12 10 15 9 Ret 12 13 15 15 17 C 14 6 13 19 9 11 11 59
Pos. Constructor QAT
Qatar
ARG
Argentina
AME
United States
SPA
Spain
FRA
France
ITA
Italy
CAT
Catalonia
NED
Netherlands
GER
Germany
CZE
Czech Republic
AUT
Austria
GBR
United Kingdom
RSM
San Marino
ARA
Aragon
THA
Thailand
JPN
Japan
AUS
Australia
MAL
Malaysia
VAL
Valencian Community
Pts
Source:[68]

Teams' standings

[edit]

The teams' standings were based on results obtained by regular and substitute riders; wild-card entries were ineligible.

Pos. Team Bike
No.
QAT
Qatar
ARG
Argentina
AME
United States
SPA
Spain
FRA
France
ITA
Italy
CAT
Catalonia
NED
Netherlands
GER
Germany
CZE
Czech Republic
AUT
Austria
GBR
United Kingdom
RSM
San Marino
ARA
Aragon
THA
Thailand
JPN
Japan
AUS
Australia
MAL
Malaysia
VAL
Valencian Community
Pts
1 Japan Repsol Honda Team 26 7 Ret 7 Ret 5 Ret 5 15 8 8 7 C 6 5 Ret 8 Ret 5 5 451
93 2 18F 1P F 1F 1F 16 2 1P 1P F 3 2P C 2 1 1P F 1F RetP 1P Ret
2 Italy Ducati Team 04 1F 6 5 Ret Ret 2 Ret 4 7 1P 3F C 1F 2F 2 18P 3 6 1F 392
19 4
51 Ret
99 Ret 15 11 Ret 6 1 1P F 7 6 2F 1 CP 17P RetP DNS DNS WD 12
3 Japan Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 25 6 5 2 7 7 8 6 3F 3 Ret 12 C 5 10 3 7 1F 4 RetP 391
46 3 19 4 5 3 3P 3 5 2 4 6 C 7 8 4 4 6 18 13
4 Japan Team Suzuki Ecstar 29 9 8 3 3 Ret 4 10 11 12 10 13 C 8 3 11 Ret 2 Ret Ret 302
42 Ret 3 Ret Ret 10 5 Ret 2 Ret 11 8 C 4 4 6 3 5 2F 2
5 Italy Alma Pramac Racing 9 5 10 12 4 2 7F 8 Ret 4 6 5 C 11 7 9 9 12 9 Ret 235
43 10 4P 9 6 4 Ret Ret 10 14 12 18 C 18 9 10 Ret 7 8 Ret
6 France Monster Yamaha Tech 3 5 8P 2 6 2 RetP 10 7 8 9 7 9 C 10 14 5 6 Ret 3 7 204
55 14 9 Ret 16 12 12 Ret 18 11 14 16 C 19 18 12 10 Ret 10 10
7 Monaco LCR Honda 6 13 9 191
30 17 13 14 12 15 18 Ret 19 Ret 17 15 C 13 12 22 15 14 14 6
35 4 1 19 RetP 8 6 4 6 Ret 5 4 C 3 Ret 7 2 DNS
8 Spain Ángel Nieto Team 7 18 104
17 15 20 Ret 18 17 Ret 13 Ret 18 18 21 C 20 15 17 Ret 11 Ret 14
19 13 16 15 8 Ret 9 9 9 5 9 10 C 9 Ret 8 5 7 Ret
9 Austria Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 38 18 Ret 16 13 14 14 Ret 17 10 Ret 14 C 16 13 15 12 10 15 8 89
44 Ret 11 13 11 11 11 11 12 Ret DNS Ret DNS 21 13 Ret Ret 3
76 C
10 Italy Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 41 19 Ret 10 Ret 9 Ret Ret 13 DNS 15 17 C 14 6 13 Ret 9 11 Ret 64
45 20 12 17 15 Ret Ret 12 14 15 Ret 20 C 21 16 16 19 13 19 11
11 Belgium EG 0,0 Marc VDS 6 16 50
12 16 17 18 Ret 16 Ret Ret 20 17 16 22 C 22 17 20 20 16 16 Ret
21 12 14 21 9 13 15 14 DNS WD 13 19 C 12 11 14 11 8 12 Ret
12 Spain Reale Avintia Racing 10 21 21 20 17 18 17 Ret Ret 19 20 Ret C Ret 19 18 16 15 17 DNS 37
23 23
53 11 7 8 14 Ret 13 Ret 16 13 Ret 11 C
81 20 19 17 17 DNS 15
Pos. Team Bike
No.
QAT
Qatar
ARG
Argentina
AME
United States
SPA
Spain
FRA
France
ITA
Italy
CAT
Catalonia
NED
Netherlands
GER
Germany
CZE
Czech Republic
AUT
Austria
GBR
United Kingdom
RSM
San Marino
ARA
Aragon
THA
Thailand
JPN
Japan
AUS
Australia
MAL
Malaysia
VAL
Valencian Community
Pts
Source:[68]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2018 MotoGP World Championship was the premier class of the 70th Road Racing World Championship season, featuring 18 Grands Prix across 15 countries after the cancellation of the at due to heavy rain and poor track drainage on a newly resurfaced circuit. Spanish rider of the Repsol Team dominated the season, securing his fifth premier class Riders' Championship with 321 points after nine race victories, clinching the title with three rounds remaining via a win at the in Motegi. claimed the Constructors' Championship, and Repsol took the Teams' title. Entering the year as the defending champion, Márquez overcame a shoulder injury that required surgery during the offseason and frequently dislocated during the season, yet he pushed the limits aggressively, crashing 25 times—mostly in practice sessions—to refine his Repsol Honda RC213V's setup. His main challengers included Ducati's , who finished second overall with 245 points and four wins (, , , and ), and teammate , who secured three victories (, , and ) before injuries sidelined him late in the year. of Yamaha Factory Racing placed third with 198 points, marking a winless season for the veteran Italian at age 39 amid Yamaha's struggles with rear grip and electronics. The season highlighted intense manufacturer competition, with excelling in straight-line speed and , while Honda's bike offered superior turning and braking. made strides under concession rules, propelling Álex Rins to fifth in the standings with consistent podiums. Notable incidents included Márquez's disqualification from the podium for a controversial pressure breach and a high-speed crash involving Márquez and at the Australian Grand Prix, underscoring safety concerns with prototype machinery. Márquez became the youngest five-time premier class champion at 25 years and 246 days, extending his record of titles won before age 30.

Pre-season

Regulatory changes

For the 2018 season, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) introduced new trophies to recognize achievements among non-factory, independent teams in the MotoGP class, aiming to highlight the competitiveness of satellite squads and encourage parity with official manufacturer entries. The MotoGP Independent Team Trophy was awarded to the highest-finishing independent team, while the MotoGP Independent Rider Trophy went to the top-placed rider from such a team; Alma Pramac Racing claimed the team honor, and Johann Zarco of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 secured the rider title with 158 points. To standardize race durations across circuits for improved event logistics and broadcast scheduling, the FIM shortened distances at seven MotoGP Grands Prix, targeting 40-45 minutes per race as part of a two-year transition plan. Affected events included the Americas GP (reduced by 1 lap to 21 laps), French GP (1 lap less), Catalan GP (1 lap less), Czech GP (1 lap less), (1 lap less), Spanish GP (2 laps less), and Valencia GP (3 laps less). Penalties for riders requiring bike changes due to crashes or technical issues during qualifying or the warm-up lap were revised to maintain fairness and safety on . Riders could now start the warm-up lap from the pit lane while keeping their qualifying grid position, but they were required to serve a ride-through penalty during the race; if more than 10 riders started from the pit lane, a delayed start with a quick restart procedure was enforced. Additionally, the "Rain on Grid" protocol was updated to mandate a quick restart in the MotoGP class exclusively. Efforts to curb escalating development costs led to stricter controls on private testing and wildcard entries. Manufacturers were limited to five days of private testing per year with race riders, with no more than three days at circuits hosting prior Grands Prix and a mandatory 14-day gap before any event; testing was also banned during the summer break from to August 2. Wildcard riders, such as KTM's Mika Kallio, were capped at three engines per entry and restricted to manufacturer-specified components, with teams allowed up to three wildcards (or six for concession manufacturers) non-consecutively. No significant alterations were made to engine specifications or aerodynamic designs, preserving the established 1,000 cc four-stroke limit (with an 81 mm maximum bore) and 22-liter fuel tank capacity, including the full fuel delivery system in measurements, to maintain technical stability. These measures collectively influenced team preparations by emphasizing cost efficiency and equitable competition without disrupting core bike development.

Testing and preparation

The pre-season testing for the 2018 MotoGP World Championship consisted of three official sessions: the in from January 28 to 30, the Chang International Circuit in , from February 16 to 18, and the Losail International Circuit in from March 1 to 3. These tests allowed teams to adapt to the updated technical regulations, including the split-time testing ban and emphasis on in-season development, while evaluating new machinery on diverse track surfaces. Ducati demonstrated strong pace across the sessions, particularly at Sepang where Jorge Lorenzo set the fastest lap ever recorded there at 1:58.830 on the Desmosedici GP18, with teammate Andrea Dovizioso finishing fourth overall. At Losail, Dovizioso posted the second-quickest time of 1:54.627, underscoring the Italian manufacturer's aerodynamic and engine advantages in qualifying simulations. This dominance highlighted Ducati's refined chassis and electronics, positioning them as early favorites. Yamaha encountered persistent challenges with rear grip and electronics, as noted by and during the Buriram test, where the YZR-M1 suffered from excessive smoothness leading to traction loss on corner exit. , who ended the session seventh overall with a best of 1:30.349, described the bike as overly refined in setup, requiring electronic adjustments to restore aggression, issues that carried over to foreshadow a difficult season. Rossi echoed concerns over chassis balance, completing fewer laps than rivals while experimenting with configurations. Honda prioritized reliability and consistency for , who posted competitive times without chasing outright pace—third at Sepang, competitive at including a 1:29.969 lap on day 2 (though Pedrosa set the overall test best of 1:29.781), and sixth at Losail—focusing on race simulations and setup tweaks to the RC213V for better mid-corner stability. This approach emphasized long-run endurance over single-lap heroics, aligning with Márquez's adaptive riding style. Suzuki and Aprilia utilized the tests to evaluate new prototypes, with 's GSX-RR featuring an updated aluminum frame for improved braking stability, tested extensively by and Alex Rins at Sepang and . Aprilia introduced an evolved RS-GP with revised front suspension and carbon , debuting at Sepang to enhance turning and load management, as ridden by and . KTM showed notable progress with the RC16, as Bradley Smith and focused on corner entry and top speed, ending Sepang within 1.5 seconds of the leaders and aiming for their first finish in the year. Espargaró's feedback on response helped refine the bike's at and Losail. The tests proceeded without major crashes, allowing uninterrupted data collection, particularly on tire wear at the abrasive surface, which served as a key benchmark for compounds under the new regulations. Teams accumulated thousands of kilometers, prioritizing endurance runs to simulate race conditions.

Participants

Teams and manufacturers

The 2018 MotoGP World Championship featured eleven teams supported by six manufacturers, comprising both outfits directly managed by the brands and (independent) teams utilizing customer machinery. These teams fielded a total of 24 riders across the season, adhering to the series' regulations that emphasized 1,000 cc four-stroke engines limited to 81 mm bore and a minimum weight of 157 kg (including rider). Factory teams included the Repsol Honda Team on the , Ducati Team with the Desmosedici GP18, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riding the YZR-M1, Team Suzuki Ecstar using the GSX-RR, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini aboard the RS-GP, and on the RC16. Satellite teams consisted of LCR Honda (also on RC213V bikes), Alma Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP18), Monster Energy Yamaha Tech3 (YZR-M1), and Angel Nieto Team (Desmosedici GP18, formerly known as the team).
ManufacturerFactory TeamBike ModelSatellite Teams
Repsol Honda TeamRC213VLCR Honda
Ducati TeamDesmosedici GP18Alma Pramac Racing, Angel Nieto Team
Yamaha Yamaha MotoGPYZR-M1 Yamaha Tech3
SuzukiTeam Suzuki EcstarGSX-RRNone
Racing Team GresiniRS-GPNone
KTMRC16None
Key technical developments across the grid highlighted ongoing innovations in aerodynamics, engine configuration, and electronics. Ducati advanced its winglet designs on the Desmosedici GP18, integrating aerodynamic elements into the fairing to generate downforce while complying with regulations limiting protruding structures, improving stability at high speeds. Yamaha maintained continuity with its inline-four YZR-M1 engine, prioritizing refined throttle response and crossplane crankshaft characteristics over a shift to V4 architecture. Honda focused on maximizing power output from the RC213V's V4 engine, achieving over 250 hp through optimized combustion and exhaust systems while managing the seven-engine limit per season. Suzuki enhanced the GSX-RR's inline-four setup with upgraded electronics, including improved engine management for better traction control and seamless power delivery. As relative newcomers, and KTM targeted consistent top-10 finishes with the RS-GP and RC16, respectively, leveraging concessions for additional testing and engine development to close the gap to established rivals. Manufacturer concessions were not granted to top performers like , Yamaha, and in 2018, as they met performance criteria by accruing sufficient points; however, , KTM, and benefited from relaxed rules due to prior underperformance.

Riders

The 2018 MotoGP World Championship featured a grid of 24 riders, all qualified through their performances in the 2017 season or as promotions from the Moto2 class, with no wildcards issued for the premier class at the outset. The roster included a mix of established champions and rookies, representing 10 nationalities and competing on bikes from six manufacturers: , Yamaha, , , KTM, and . Independent teams filled 14 of the entries, adhering to the series' structure that allocates factory and satellite squads. The full initial rider lineup is detailed below, organized by team for clarity. Note: Jonas Folger withdrew before the season due to health reasons and was replaced by Hafizh Syahrin from the Qatar Grand Prix onward.
Rider NumberRider NameNationalityTeamBike Manufacturer
4ItalianDucati Team
99SpanishDucati Team
5FrenchMonster Energy Yamaha Tech 3*Yamaha
94GermanMonster Energy Yamaha Tech 3*Yamaha
9ItalianAlma Pramac Racing*
43Jack MillerAustralianAlma Pramac Racing*
10Xavier SiméonBelgianReale Avintia Racing*
53SpanishReale Avintia Racing*
17CzechAngel Nieto Team*
19Álvaro BautistaSpanishAngel Nieto Team*
93Marc MárquezSpanishRepsol Honda Team
26SpanishRepsol Honda Team
35BritishLCR Honda*
30JapaneseLCR Honda Idemitsu*
21ItalianEG 0,0 Marc VDS*
12Thomas LüthiSwissEG 0,0 Marc VDS*
46ItalianMovistar Yamaha MotoGPYamaha
25Maverick ViñalesSpanishMovistar Yamaha MotoGPYamaha
29ItalianTeam Suzuki Ecstar
42Álex RinsSpanishTeam Suzuki Ecstar
44Pol EspargaróSpanishRed Bull KTM Factory RacingKTM
38Bradley SmithBritishRed Bull KTM Factory RacingKTM
41Aleix EspargaróSpanishAprilia Racing Team Gresini*
45BritishAprilia Racing Team Gresini*
*Denotes independent team. Factory teams featured prominent duos, such as Honda's and , both Spanish riders on machines, leveraging their experience from prior title battles. Ducati paired Italian with Spaniard on Desmosedici GP bikes, aiming to capitalize on Lorenzo's recent MotoGP successes. Movistar Yamaha fielded Italian veteran and Spanish on YZR-M1 prototypes, continuing their pursuit of consistency. Satellite squads highlighted independent contenders like British on a LCR , known for podium challenges, and Australian Jack Miller on Alma Pramac , emphasizing non-factory potential. Rookies included Italians and Xavier Siméon, Swiss , and Japanese , all promoted from Moto2 and adapting to manufacturer-spec bikes such as and models.

Seasonal changes

The 2018 MotoGP season saw several rider substitutions due to injuries, primarily affecting factory teams and test programs, though no full-time team swaps occurred. Ducati's suffered a foot injury (dislocated big toe and fractured second metatarsal) in a first-lap crash at the Grand Prix, followed by heavy bruising to his wrist and ankle from a high-side crash during practice at the Thai Grand Prix. These incidents forced Lorenzo to miss the , , , and Grands Prix. He raced in , finishing 9th. He was replaced by test rider in (Sepang, where Pirro finished 17th) and , and by in (Phillip Island, where Bautista finished 17th). No replacement was fielded for , as Lorenzo withdrew before progressing in the weekend. KTM faced multiple setbacks with injuries to its riders. Test rider Mika Kallio crashed during Free Practice 2 at the , sustaining ligament damage in his right knee that sidelined him for the remainder of the season and disrupted KTM's development program. KTM appointed former MotoGP rider as Kallio's replacement test rider starting after the summer break, with de Puniet handling private testing duties through the end of the year. Factory rider endured a severe crash in the warm-up session, fracturing his collarbone and inflaming his spinal column, which raised initial fears of ; this injury caused him to miss the Czech and Austrian Grands Prix. Espargaró attempted a comeback at the but was substituted by due to ongoing recovery issues, with Baz finishing 12th at . Honda HRC test rider Stefan Bradl stepped in for injured Marc VDS rider at the after Morbidelli broke his collarbone in practice; Bradl qualified 20th and finished 18th in the race. Amid these changes, contract uncertainties swirled around veteran , whose future with Repsol Honda was speculated upon throughout the season, culminating in his retirement announcement after the without any mid-season team switch. These substitutions highlighted the grid's resilience, with temporary riders providing continuity despite not scoring points in their outings, allowing teams to maintain development momentum.

Calendar

Schedule

The 2018 MotoGP World Championship featured a 19-round spanning from March to November, visiting circuits across Asia, the Americas, Europe, and . The season opened with the traditional night race at Losail International Circuit in and closed at the in , , incorporating the new Chang International Circuit in as its debut venue. The full schedule is detailed below, including race dates, host Grands Prix, and circuits. Notable circuit characteristics included the floodlit Losail International Circuit, a 5.380 km track hosting a 22-lap night race under 's desert conditions, and the fast, flowing 5.245 km in , known for its high-speed straights and elevation changes over 23 laps.
RoundDateGrand PrixCircuitLocation
118 MarchLosail International CircuitLusail,
28 AprilTermas de Río HondoTermas de Río Hondo,
322 AprilAmericas, USA
46 MayCircuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto,
520 May,
63 June,
717 JuneMontmeló,
824 June,
915 JulyHohenstein-Ernstthal,
105 AugustAutomotodrom Brno,
1112 AugustSpielberg,
1226 August, UK
139 SeptemberSan Marino and Rimini's RivieraMisano World Circuit Marco SimoncelliMisano Adriatico,
1423 SeptemberAlcañiz,
157 OctoberChang International Circuit,
1621 OctoberMobility Resort MotegiMotegi,
1728 October,
184 NovemberMalaysiaSepang, Malaysia
1918 NovemberValenciaCheste,
All 19 rounds were broadcast live globally through a network of broadcasters, including beIN Sports in the United States, BT Sport in the United Kingdom, and various free-to-air and pay-TV deals across , , and the , reaching audiences in more than 200 countries. The events drew a record total attendance of 2,884,242 spectators across the season, with several European Grands Prix, such as the French GP at (206,617) and the Austrian GP at (206,746), exceeding 200,000 attendees over the weekend.

Changes from previous year

The 2018 MotoGP calendar expanded to 19 rounds from the 18 held in 2017, primarily through the addition of the inaugural Thailand Grand Prix on October 7 at the new Chang International Circuit in , enhancing the series' presence in with a new flyaway event late in the season. This new 4.554 km track, featuring 12 turns and a mix of high-speed straights and technical sectors, was designed to international standards and hosted under tropical conditions typical of the region. A notable venue modification occurred at the for the Catalan Grand Prix, where the layout adopted the Formula 1 configuration at Turn 10—a tighter replacing the previous faster right-hand sweep—to improve safety margins following rider feedback and prior incident reviews. This adjustment shortened the overall lap length from 4.655 km to 4.627 km, reducing the course by 28 meters while maintaining the post-2016 chicane at Turns 12-13 introduced after the 2016 Moto2 fatality. Calendar dates saw minor adjustments to optimize logistics, with the at shifting from July 2 to July 15, remaining Round 9. However, the planned at on August 26 was cancelled outright due to severe track surface degradation exacerbated by heavy rainfall, rendering the newly resurfaced asphalt unsafe and unable to drain properly, ultimately reducing the completed season to 18 rounds. Event formats remained consistent with the prior year across all weekends, featuring three free practice sessions, a qualifying phase culminating in a top-10 for , and principal races standardized to approximately 40-45 minutes in duration, barring weather interruptions. The full 2018 schedule, incorporating these updates, spanned from March 18 in to November 18 in .

Season summary

Race highlights

The 2018 MotoGP season opened under the floodlights at the Losail International Circuit in , where secured a wire-to-wire victory in the night race, leading from pole and fending off a late charge from to win by a mere 0.027 seconds after 22 laps of intense battling. The race showcased the Ducati's straight-line speed advantage, with completing the podium in third, setting an early tone of close competition among the top factories. At the Termas de Río Hondo circuit in , tire allocation controversies and erratic weather led to a chaotic affair, with Márquez starting from the pit lane after a qualifying violation and recovering impressively through the field amid ongoing grip issues before receiving a 30-second penalty for reckless riding following contacts with Rossi and , ultimately finishing outside the points. Cal Crutchlow capitalized on the madness to claim victory in a thrilling duel with , marking the LCR rider's sole win of the season after leaders faltered in the slippery conditions. Jorge Lorenzo delivered an emotional home victory at Mugello in Italy, securing his first win on the Ducati Desmosedici after Márquez crashed out while leading on lap 10, allowing the Spaniard to pull away for a dominant performance in front of passionate tifosi crowds. Teammate Andrea Dovizioso finished second, completing a Ducati 1-2, while Rossi salvaged third despite Yamaha's handling struggles on the fast, flowing layout. The Dutch TT at Assen produced one of the season's most exhilarating races, with Márquez emerging victorious after a mid-pack scrap involving over 30 overtakes in the first half, breaking clear in the closing stages to extend his championship lead on the technical 'Cathedral of Speed' circuit. Alex Rins and Maverick Viñales filled the podium spots in a battle that highlighted Suzuki and Yamaha's improved late-braking prowess, though Lorenzo faded to a distant 10th after an early clash. In the at , Crutchlow's breakthrough triumph came not here but earlier in ; at Brno itself, Dovizioso edged a three-way duel with teammate Lorenzo and in the final laps, securing Ducati's 100th premier-class win after a tactical soft-rear gamble paid off in the warm conditions. Multiple leaders tangled mid-race, including early frontrunners, underscoring the circuit's high-speed demands and the Italian's composure under pressure. The inaugural Thai Grand Prix at the new Chang International Circuit in debuted with claiming victory in dry conditions, outbraking Dovizioso at the final corner after a lap-long duel that thrilled the 200,000-strong crowd and highlighted the track's overtaking opportunities. and Rossi followed closely for Yamaha, benefiting from improved rear grip as the race transitioned from cooler morning sessions to hot afternoon asphalt. The season finale at Valencia's unfolded in pouring rain, red-flagged after 13 laps due to crashes including and Rossi; upon restart for a shortened 14-lap encounter, Dovizioso powered to victory from pole, with securing KTM's maiden MotoGP podium in third after Bradley Smith's strong but ultimately fourth-place run. The wet chaos marked a fittingly unpredictable end, clinching the constructors' title despite 's DNF. Notable incidents peppered the year, including the German Grand Prix at where extended his unbeaten streak to nine straight wins amid multiple high-speed crashes on the left-hand heavy layout, with Rossi and capitalizing for a Yamaha 2-3 finish. At Sepang in , overcame a six-place grid penalty for impeding in qualifying to win, while Rossi crashed out from the lead in the closing stages, denying a potential Yamaha triumph in humid, high-grip conditions.

Championship narrative

The 2018 MotoGP World Championship was defined by Marc 's commanding performance for Repsol Honda, where he secured nine victories across the season, including the , Spanish, French, (), German, , Thai, Japanese, and Malaysian Grands Prix. clinched his fifth MotoGP title—and seventh world championship overall—at the on October 21, establishing an unassailable 102-point lead over his nearest rival after 16 of 18 rounds, with a maximum of 75 points still available. His aggressive riding style, combined with the refined , allowed him to rebound from early-season challenges, such as the threat, and pull away decisively in the latter half, marking a season of calculated dominance despite 25 crashes in testing and practice. Andrea Dovizioso of the Ducati Team mounted the strongest challenge, claiming four wins at the Qatar, Czech, San Marino, and Malaysian Grands Prix, while delivering consistent podium finishes that kept the title fight alive through the mid-season. Dovizioso's smooth, late-braking prowess on the Ducati Desmosedici GP shone on technical circuits, narrowing Márquez's lead to as little as 23 points after the Czech round, but crashes at Le Mans and Catalunya, along with Márquez's relentless consistency, eroded his momentum by summer. Intra-team tensions at Ducati intensified the narrative, as teammate Jorge Lorenzo's early resurgence— with three consecutive victories at the Italian, Catalan, and Austrian Grands Prix—highlighted the Desmosedici's straight-line speed advantage, but a high-speed crash at Aragon sidelined him for the remainder of the season, shifting focus to Dovizioso's solo pursuit. Valentino Rossi started strongly for Yamaha with multiple podiums, but the M1's handling issues led to a fade, culminating in third place overall without a victory, five points ahead of teammate Maverick Viñales. The simmering rivalry between Márquez and Rossi, rooted in their infamous 2015 Sepang clash, added emotional layers, with on-track battles and verbal sparring underscoring generational tensions, though Rossi's consistency prevented a deeper collapse. A key milestone came at the Australian Grand Prix, where Viñales ended Yamaha's 25-race win drought dating back to 2017, providing a rare highlight amid the manufacturer's struggles.

Results and standings

Grands Prix

The 2018 MotoGP World Championship featured 18 Grands Prix after the British round at Silverstone was cancelled due to safety concerns with the circuit's surface. The season showcased competitive racing across diverse tracks, with Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha teams dominating the podiums. Key race outcomes are detailed in the table below, highlighting winners, pole positions, fastest laps, and margins of victory, drawn from official race reports.
RoundGrand PrixCircuitDateWinner (Team)Pole (Rider)Fastest Lap (Rider)Margin
1QatarLosail International Circuit18 MarchAndrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3)Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing)0.390 s
2ArgentinaTermas de Río Hondo8 AprilCal Crutchlow (LCR Honda)Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)0.089 s
3AmericasCircuit of the Americas22 AprilMarc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)3.560 s
4SpainCircuito de Jerez6 MayMarc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)2.235 s
5FranceBugatti Circuit, Le Mans20 MayMarc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)0.716 s
6ItalyMugello Circuit3 JuneJorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team)Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing)6.370 s
7CataloniaCircuit de Barcelona-Catalunya17 JuneJorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team)Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team)Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team)3.086 s
8NetherlandsTT Circuit Assen1 JulyMarc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)0.364 s
9GermanySachsenring15 JulyMarc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)4.187 s
10Czech RepublicAutomotodrom Brno5 AugustAndrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team)1.087 s
11AustriaRed Bull Ring12 AugustJorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)0.130 s
12Great BritainSilverstone Circuit26 AugustCancelledJorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team)N/AN/A
13San Marino and Rimini RivieraMisano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli9 SeptemberAndrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team)Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)0.162 s
14AragonMotorLand Aragón23 SeptemberMarc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team)Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)2.340 s
15ThailandChang International Circuit7 OctoberMarc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)0.115 s
16JapanTwin Ring Motegi21 OctoberMarc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)2.455 s
17AustraliaPhillip Island Circuit28 OctoberMaverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)0.289 s
18MalaysiaSepang International Circuit4 NovemberMarc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team)Álex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar)2.496 s
19ValenciaCircuit Ricardo Tormo18 NovemberAndrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP)Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)2.750 s
Aggregate race data revealed dynamic action, including a season-high of over 175 overtakes in the at , contributing to its reputation as one of the most thrilling races. Retirements were frequent, with crashes accounting for the majority of the 27 DNFs across the season, often involving top contenders in close battles. Lead changes were particularly frequent in races like (17 different leaders across laps) and (high turnover in the top positions due to windy conditions).

Riders' standings

Marc Márquez of the Repsol Honda Team won the 2018 MotoGP Riders' Championship, his fifth title in the premier class, with a total of 321 points from nine race victories and fifteen podium finishes. Andrea Dovizioso of the Ducati Team placed second with 245 points, achieved through four wins and nine podiums. Valentino Rossi of the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team finished third with 198 points and ten podiums but no race wins. Maverick Viñales, also of Movistar Yamaha, took fourth position with 193 points, including one victory and seven podiums. Álex Rins of Team Suzuki Ecstar rounded out the top five in fifth place with 169 points and six podium finishes. Márquez clinched the championship with three rounds remaining after victory at the , where he reached 296 points. Points were awarded to the top fifteen finishers in each of the season's eighteen Grands Prix, with 25 points for the winner decreasing to 1 point for fifteenth place; no additional points were given for pole positions or fastest laps. The complete riders' standings are shown below.
PosRiderNationalityTeamPoints
1SpainRepsol Honda Team321
2ItalyDucati Team245
3ItalyMovistar Yamaha MotoGP198
4SpainMovistar Yamaha MotoGP193
5SpainTeam Suzuki Ecstar169
6FranceMonster Yamaha Tech 3158
7United KingdomLCR Honda148
8ItalyAlma 144
9SpainDucati Team134
10ItalyTeam Suzuki Ecstar133
11SpainRepsol Honda Team117
12SpainAngel Nieto Team105
13Jack MillerAustraliaAlma 91
14Spain51
15ItalyEG 0,0 Marc VDS50
16MalaysiaMonster Yamaha Tech 346
17SpainAprilia Racing Team Gresini44
18Bradley SmithUnited Kingdom38
19SpainAvintia Reale Ducati35
20JapanLCR Honda33
21United KingdomAprilia Racing Team Gresini20
22ItalyDucati Team14
23Angel Nieto Team12
24Stefan BradlLCR Honda10

Constructors' standings

The Constructors' Championship in the 2018 MotoGP World Championship was decided by aggregating points from the two highest-finishing riders of each manufacturer in every Grand Prix, using the standard scoring system of 25 points for first place, 20 for second, 16 for third, and decreasing to 1 for fifteenth. This method highlights the overall competitiveness of each manufacturer's bike design across the season's 18 Grands Prix, with all factory and satellite teams contributing to their respective constructor's tally. Honda secured the title with a dominant performance, clinching their 24th constructors' crown in the premier class at the penultimate round in , where Marc Márquez's victory ensured an insurmountable lead over rivals . The Japanese manufacturer benefited from Márquez's nine race wins and consistent scoring from teammate , supplemented by points from LCR Honda riders and in races where the factory duo underperformed. finished a close second, powered by Andrea Dovizioso's four victories and Jorge Lorenzo's three wins early in the season, marking a strong resurgence for the Italian brand despite missing the title. Yamaha placed third, hampered by development challenges and a winless streak until Maverick Viñales triumphed at , with providing reliable podiums but unable to match the pace of the leading prototypes. Suzuki achieved a solid fourth, driven by ' breakthrough podiums and consistent finishes, signaling progress for the Japanese outfit. Aprilia and KTM brought up the rear in fifth and sixth, with limited top-ten results from and Scott Redding for Aprilia, and Pol Espargaró and Bradley Smith for KTM, as both manufacturers focused on mid-season testing and rider adaptation.
PosConstructorPoints
1375
2335
3Yamaha281
4233
559
6KTM72
The standings underscore 's engineering edge in 2018, while 's near-miss highlighted their speed on straights and corner exits, setting the stage for future dominance.

Teams' standings

In the 2018 MotoGP World Championship, the teams' standings were calculated by summing the points scored by all riders affiliated with each team throughout the season's 18 Grands Prix, reflecting both factory and operations. This metric highlighted the competitive dynamics between official manufacturer squads and their supported teams, with Repsol Honda Team demonstrating superior consistency and adaptability. The total points distributed across all teams reached 2520, underscoring the depth of . Factory teams dominated the upper echelons, but satellite outfits like Alma Pramac Racing showcased the value of manufacturer support in resource-limited environments. Repsol Honda Team emerged as champions with 438 points, primarily from their core riders' contributions. Movistar Yamaha MotoGP followed in second with 391 points, benefiting from strong individual performances despite occasional inconsistencies. Ducati Team placed third at 379 points, while satellite teams Alma Pramac Racing (235 points) and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (204 points) rounded out the top five, illustrating how non-factory entries could leverage advanced machinery to compete effectively. The full teams' standings, derived from the combined points of each team's riders, are detailed below.
PositionTeamPoints
1Repsol Honda Team438
2Movistar Yamaha MotoGP391
3379
4Team Suzuki Ecstar302
5Alma Pramac Racing235
6Monster Yamaha Tech 3204
7LCR Honda181
8Angel Nieto Team117
989
10Aprilia Racing Team Gresini64
11EG 0,0 Marc VDS50
12Avintia Reale Ducati35

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.