70th running of the MotoGP World Championship
Marc Márquez was the 2018 MotoGP Champion.The2018 FIM MotoGP World Championship was the premier class of the 70thF.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.Marc Márquez entered the season as the reigning champion, withRepsol Honda Team being the reigning team champions andHonda the reigning constructors' champions.
Originally scheduled for 19 races, the season was reduced by one Grand Prix due to the cancellation of the 26 AugustSilverstone 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 andValentino 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 forCal Crutchlow andMaverick Viñales were the other race winners. Yamaha suffered their worst winless streak in their history with no wins for 25 races, which lasted from the2017 German Grand Prix until Viñales won theAustralian Grand Prix .KTM got their first podium finish at theValencian Grand Prix withPol Espargaró , finishing in third.
Team Constructor Motorcycle No. Rider Rounds Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Aprilia RS-GP 41 Aleix Espargaró [ 6] All 45 Scott Redding [ 7] All Ducati Team Ducati Desmosedici GP18 04 Andrea Dovizioso [ 8] All 99 Jorge Lorenzo [ 9] 1–16, 18–19[ N 1] 19 Álvaro Bautista [ 10] 17 51 Michele Pirro [ 11] 18[ N 1] 51 Michele Pirro 6, 13, 19 Alma Pramac Racing 9 Danilo Petrucci [ 12] All Desmosedici GP17 43 Jack Miller [ 13] [ 14] All Ángel Nieto Team [ 15] 19 Álvaro Bautista [ 16] 1–16, 18–19 17 Karel Abraham [ 17] [ 10] 17 Desmosedici GP16 1–16, 18–19 7 Mike Jones [ 10] 17 Reale Avintia Racing [ 18] Desmosedici GP17 53 Tito Rabat [ 19] 1–12 10 Xavier Siméon [ 20] 13–19 Desmosedici GP16 1–12 23 Christophe Ponsson [ 21] 13 81 Jordi Torres [ 22] 14–19 EG 0,0 Marc VDS [ 23] Honda RC213V 12 Thomas Lüthi [ 24] All 21 Franco Morbidelli [ 25] All[ N 2] 6 Stefan Bradl [ 26] 9[ N 2] LCR Honda Idemitsu LCR Honda Castrol30 Takaaki Nakagami [ 27] All 35 Cal Crutchlow [ 28] 1–17 6 Stefan Bradl [ 29] 18–19 Repsol Honda Team 26 Dani Pedrosa [ 30] All 93 Marc Márquez [ 31] All HRC Honda Team 6 Stefan Bradl 10, 13 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM RC16 38 Bradley Smith [ 32] All 44 Pol Espargaró [ 32] 1–10, 13–19 76 Loris Baz [ 33] 12 36 Mika Kallio 4, 7, 9 Team Suzuki Ecstar Suzuki GSX-RR 29 Andrea Iannone [ 34] All 42 Álex Rins [ 35] All 50 Sylvain Guintoli 7, 10, 16 Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1 5 Johann Zarco [ 36] All 55 Hafizh Syahrin [ 37] All Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 25 Maverick Viñales [ 38] All 46 Valentino Rossi [ 39] All Yamalube Yamaha Factory Racing 89 Katsuyuki Nakasuga 16
Key Regular rider Replacement rider Wildcard rider
All teams usedseries-specified Michelin tyres.[ 40]
Sam Lowes was released from his contract withAprilia Racing Team Gresini one year before it expired.[ 41] Lowes returned to the Moto2 category.Thomas Lüthi moved up to MotoGP, making his début withEG 0,0 Marc VDS after competing in the intermediate class for eleven seasons.[ 24] 2017 Moto2 championFranco Morbidelli was promoted to MotoGP, making his début withEG 0,0 Marc VDS .[ 25] Tito Rabat returned toReale Avintia Racing , after leavingEG 0,0 Marc VDS . He was partnered byXavier Siméon who moved up to the premier class. Rabat previously competed with Avintia Racing under the name By Queroseno Racing (BQR) between the 2005 125cc and the 2011 Moto2 seasons.Takaaki Nakagami moved up to MotoGP withLCR Honda .[ 27] Scott Redding leftPramac Racing at the end of the 2017 season to joinAprilia Racing Team Gresini .[ 7] His place was taken byJack Miller .[ 13] Loris Baz left MotoGP and returned toSuperbike World Championship . During mid-season, Baz replaced injuredPol Espargaró atRed Bull KTM Factory Racing forBritish GP .Héctor Barberá returned to the intermediate class, Moto2, after leavingReale Avintia Racing . Barberá has completed eight seasons in the premier class.Jonas Folger , who was on the provisional entry list, withdrew from the 2018 season to focus on recovery from illness.[ 42] Hafizh Syahrin moved up to MotoGP to fill his spot inMonster Yamaha Tech 3 . He became the first Malaysian rider to compete in the sport's premier class.[ 37] The following Grands Prix took place in 2018:[ 43]
Round Date Grand Prix Circuit 1 18 March[ a] Grand Prix of Qatar [ 44] Losail International Circuit ,Lusail 2 8 April Gran Premio Motul de la República Argentina [ 45] Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo ,Termas de Río Hondo 3 22 April Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas [ 46] Circuit of the Americas ,Austin 4 6 May Gran Premio Red Bull de España [ 47] Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto ,Jerez de la Frontera 5 20 May HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France [ 48] Bugatti Circuit ,Le Mans 6 3 June Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley [ 49] Mugello Circuit ,Scarperia e San Piero 7 17 June Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya [ 50] Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya ,Montmeló 8 1 July Motul TT Assen [ 51] TT Circuit Assen ,Assen 9 15 July Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland [ 52] Sachsenring ,Hohenstein-Ernstthal 10 5 August Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky [ 53] Brno Circuit ,Brno 11 12 August Eyetime Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich Red Bull Ring ,Spielberg 12 26 August GoPro British Grand Prix [ 54] Silverstone Circuit ,Silverstone 13 9 September Gran Premio Octo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini [ 55] Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli ,Misano Adriatico 14 23 September Gran Premio Movistar de Aragón [ 56] MotorLand Aragón ,Alcañiz 15 7 October PTT Thailand Grand Prix [ 57] Chang International Circuit ,Buriram 16 21 October Motul Grand Prix of Japan [ 58] Twin Ring Motegi ,Motegi 17 28 October Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix [ 59] Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit ,Phillip Island 18 4 November Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix [ 60] Sepang International Circuit ,Sepang 19 18 November Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana [ 61] Circuit Ricardo Tormo ,Valencia
TheBritish Grand Prix was scheduled to move fromSilverstone to the newCircuit 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. TheThailand Grand Prix is a new addition to the calendar, with the race scheduled for 7 October. TheCatalan Grand Prix used a new configuration of theCircuit 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 inFormula 1 from2004 to2006 . Results and 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
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.
The teams' standings were based on results obtained by regular and substitute riders; wild-card entries were ineligible.
^a b Jorge Lorenzo competed in the two Friday practice sessions during round 18, before being replaced by Michele Pirro. ^a b Franco Morbidelli competed in the first Friday practice session during round 9, before being replaced by Stefan Bradl. ^ Márquez was given a 3-place grid penalty for a riding infringement during qualifying[ 64] but retains the pole position credit despite starting the race from 4th position.[ 65] Maverick Viñales started the race from the first grid slot. ^ All racing at Silverstone was cancelled due to sustained heavy rain and unsafe track conditions.[ 66] ^ Márquez was given a 6-place grid penalty for a riding infringement during qualifying but retains the pole position credit despite starting the race from 7th position.Johann Zarco started the race from the first grid slot.[ 67] ^ "Silverstone surface to blame for MotoGP cancellation" . Dorna Sports. 26 August 2018. Retrieved27 August 2018 .^ "Marquez: "We wanted to race but safety comes first" " . Dorna Sports. 26 August 2018. Retrieved27 August 2018 .^ "Lorenzo: "We decided we didn't feel safe on the asphalt" " . Dorna Sports. 26 August 2018. Retrieved27 August 2018 .^ "British GP: riders apologise to fans" . Dorna Sports. 27 August 2018. Retrieved27 August 2018 .^ "Silverstone's managing director apologises to the fans" . Dorna Sports. 26 August 2018. Retrieved27 August 2018 .^ "Aleix Espargaro moves to Aprilia for 2017 and 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 26 June 2016. Retrieved26 June 2016 .^a b "Redding signs for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini for 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 14 August 2017. Retrieved14 August 2017 .^ "Andrea Dovizioso confirmed with Ducati for 2017 and 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 18 April 2016. Retrieved18 April 2016 .^ "Lorenzo set to take on new challenge with Ducati" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . Retrieved17 May 2016 .^a b c "Mike Jones joins Angel Nieto Team in Australia" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 23 October 2018. Retrieved23 October 2018 .^ "Lorenzo pulls out of Malaysian MotoGP, Pirro steps in" . 3 November 2018.^ "P2 and contract renewal for Petrucci at the #GermanGP" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . Retrieved1 July 2017 .^a b "Miller joins Octo Pramac Racing for 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . Retrieved11 August 2017 .^ "Miller relishing chance to ride race-winning Ducati - Speedcafe" . 14 August 2017.^a b Herrero, Dan (27 December 2017)."Aspar renames team in honour of Angel Nieto" .Speedcafe . Retrieved27 December 2017 . ^ "Aspar Team and Álvaro Bautista sticking together for 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 17 July 2017. Retrieved17 July 2017 .^ "Abraham to remain with Aspar in 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 21 August 2017. Retrieved21 August 2017 .^ "Five or six' on Avintia 2018 rider list" .crash.net . crash.net. 14 July 2017. Retrieved18 July 2017 .^ "Rabat to ride for Reale Avintia Racing in 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 7 September 2017. Retrieved7 September 2017 .^ "Simeon completes the 2018 grid at Reale Avintia Racing" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 21 September 2017. Retrieved21 September 2017 .^ "Simeon to ride Rabat's GP17, Ponsson in at Avintia Ducati" .Crash.net . Crash.net. 4 September 2018. Retrieved4 September 2018 .^ "Jordi Torres joins Reale Avintia Racing in Aragon" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 14 September 2018. Retrieved14 September 2018 .^ "2018 MotoGP rider line-up so far" .Crash.net . Crash.net. 10 August 2017. Retrieved20 August 2017 .^a b "Lüthi to MotoGP with EG 0,0 Marc VDS in 2018" .MotoGP.com . Dorna Sports. 24 August 2017. Retrieved24 August 2017 .^a b "Morbidelli to MotoGP with EG 0,0 Marc VDS" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 25 June 2017. Retrieved25 June 2017 .^ "Bradl to replace injured Morbidelli at the Sachsenring" .MotoGP.com . Dorna Sports. 13 July 2018. Retrieved13 July 2018 .^a b c "Nakagami announced at LCR Honda in 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 20 August 2017. Retrieved20 August 2017 .^ "Crutchlow signs two year deal with HRC to remain at LCR" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 21 June 2017. Retrieved21 June 2017 .^ "Bradl to replace injured Crutchlow in Malaysia" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 28 October 2018. Retrieved28 October 2018 .^ "HRC renew with Dani Pedrosa until end of 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 16 May 2016. Retrieved16 May 2016 .^ "Honda Racing Corporation renew with Marc Marquez through 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 2 June 2016. Retrieved2 June 2016 .^a b "Red Bull KTM Factory Racing confirm 2018 line up" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 11 October 2017. Retrieved11 October 2017 .^ "KTM confirm Baz will race at Silverstone" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 26 June 2016. Retrieved21 August 2018 .^ "Andrea Iannone joins Suzuki for 2017 and 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 19 May 2016. Retrieved19 May 2016 .[permanent dead link ] ^ "Rins moves to MotoGP with Suzuki for 2017 and 2018" .MotoGP.com . Dorna Sports. 20 June 2016. Retrieved20 June 2016 .^ "Zarco extends contract with Tech 3 for 2017" .MotoGP.com . Dorna Sports. 17 May 2017. Retrieved17 May 2017 .^a b "Syahrin to line up full-time with Tech 3 in 2018" .MotoGP.com . Dorna Sports. 20 February 2018. Retrieved21 February 2018 .^ "Yamaha confirm Maverick Viñales for 2017 and 2018 season" .MotoGP.com . Dorna Sports. 19 May 2016. Retrieved19 May 2016 .[permanent dead link ] ^ "Rossi & Yamaha confirm 2-year contract extension" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 19 March 2016. Retrieved19 May 2016 .^ "Michelin confirmed as MotoGP tyre supplier until 2023" .MotoGP.com . Dorna Sports. 20 October 2017. Retrieved6 October 2023 .^ "Lowes' manager confirms "shock" Aprilia contract termination" .Motorsport.com . Motorsport.com. 11 August 2017. Retrieved13 August 2017 .^ "Folger will not race in 2018" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 17 January 2018. Retrieved18 January 2017 .^ "Get revved up for 2018: MotoGP calendar announced" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 13 September 2017. Retrieved13 September 2017 .^ "Qatar secures 10-year MotoGP contract" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 14 June 2015. Retrieved14 June 2015 .^ "Termas de Rio Hondo extends Argentina GP contract" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 4 April 2016. Retrieved4 April 2016 .^ "Dorna signs 10-year deal with new Texas circuit" .vroommagazine.com . Retrieved23 September 2016 .^ "Acuerdo para que Jerez tenga Gran Premio tres años más" .sevilla.abc.es . ABC de Sevilla. Retrieved5 July 2017 .^ "French Grand Prix contract extended to 2021" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 17 May 2014. Retrieved17 May 2014 .^ "Oakley announced as Title Sponsor of Mugello" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 23 February 2017. Retrieved23 February 2017 .^ "Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to host MotoGP until 2021" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 9 November 2016. Retrieved9 November 2016 .^ "Assen to host MotoGP until 2026" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 25 June 2016. Retrieved23 September 2016 .^ "MotoGP to stay at the Sachsenring until 2021" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 12 August 2016. Retrieved12 August 2016 .^ "Dorna extends contract with Brno until 2020" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 12 January 2016. Retrieved12 January 2016 .^ "Silverstone confirmed to host British GP for 3 more years" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 11 November 2017. Retrieved13 November 2017 .^ "Misano to remain on the MotoGP calendar until at least 2020" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 8 September 2016. Retrieved8 September 2016 .^ "MotoGP at MotorLand Aragon until 2021" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 21 September 2016. Retrieved21 September 2016 .^ "Thailand confirmed on the MotoGP calendar" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 31 August 2017. Retrieved31 August 2017 .^ "MotoGP to remain at the Twin Ring Motegi until 2023" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 20 August 2017. Retrieved21 August 2017 .^ "Phillip Island is here to stay" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 10 April 2016. Retrieved31 August 2017 .^ "MotoGP at Sepang International Circuit until 2021" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 29 October 2016. Retrieved31 October 2016 .^ "Valencia to host MotoGP until 2021" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 20 September 2016. Retrieved20 September 2016 .^ "2016 Octo British Grand Prix MotoGP" .Silverstone Circuit .British Racing Drivers' Club . Retrieved29 August 2016 .Ahead of the British MotoGP taking place at the purpose-built £375 million South Wales valley venue for the first time in 2018, the Circuit of Wales will promote and run the event at Silverstone. ^ "Silverstone to keep MotoGP in 2017, with option for 2018" .Motorsport.com . Motorsport.com. 4 September 2016. Archived fromthe original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved12 September 2016 .^ Patrick, Dean (21 April 2018)."Marquez on pole at COTA, gets a 3-place grid penalty - News for Speed" . ^ "motogp.com · RED BULL GRAND PRIX OF THE AMERICAS · MotoGP Qualifying Nr. 2 Classification 2018" .www.motogp.com . Archived fromthe original on 2020-09-11. Retrieved2018-04-22 .^ "UPDATE: British GP cancelled" .MotoGP.com .Dorna Sports . 26 August 2018. Retrieved26 August 2018 .^ Mulvenney, Nick; Baldwin, Alan (4 November 2018)."MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix 2018: Marc Marquez handed six-place penalty to give Johann Zarco pole" . ^a b c "2018 Standings" (PDF) .motogp.com . 18 November 2018. Retrieved26 April 2023 .
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