MotoGP: Where Dovizioso, Marquez must finish Malaysian GP to take title to decider

ANDREA Dovizioso has a big task ahead to prevent Marc Marquez claiming his fourth MotoGP title in Malaysia this weekend. Here are all the permutations.

Where Andrea Dovizioso, Marc Marquez must finish Malaysian GP to take title to Valencia.

MARC Marquez heads to this weekend’s Shell Malaysian Grand Prix on the cusp of clinching a fourth MotoGP world championship in just five attempts.

A disastrous weekend in Phillip Island for his sole remaining title rival, Andrea Dovizioso, leaves the reigning world champ 33 points with just two races remaining in 2017.

If Marquez finishes ahead of Dovizioso at Sepang, regardless of their finishing positions, he will be world champion.

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This is what Dovizioso must do to take the championship fight to a decider at the season-ending Grand Prix of Valencia on November 12.

IF DOVIZIOSO FINISHES ...

1ST

Marquez must finish third or lower in order for the championship to stay alive.

A Dovizioso victory with Marquez third would reduce the margin to 24 points, leaving Dovi needing a win at Valencia while Marquez fails to finish to steal the crown.

2ND

Marquez must finish fifth or lower in order for the championship to stay alive.

As above, this would leave the margin at 24 points and set up a win-or-bust finale for the Ducati rider.

3RD

Marquez must finish ninth or lower in order for the championship to stay alive.

An eighth place for Marquez would leave the margin at 25 heading to Valencia, but he would still be crowned champion on a countback of second placings (4-1 over Dovi).

4TH

Marquez must finish 12th or lower in order for the championship to stay alive, with the margin again sitting at 24 heading to Valencia.

5TH

Marquez must finish 14th or lower in order for the championship to stay alive. Dovi’s deficit would again be 24 points.

6TH

Marquez must finish 15th or lower in order for the championship to stay alive. Dovi’s deficit would again be 24 points.

7TH OR WORSE

Marquez is world champion regardless of where he finishes.

HOW MARQUEZ CAN SECURE THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN MALAYSIA

Marquez’s task is much easier and — mathematically, at least — more straightforward than Dovi’s.

If he finishes ahead of Dovizioso, Marquez is world champion.

If he wins or finishes second, Marquez is world champion.

If Dovizioso finishes worse than seventh, regardless of where the No. 93 Honda finishes, Marquez is world champion.

Originally published as MotoGP: Where Dovizioso, Marquez must finish Malaysian GP to take title to decider