There are only 74 points left in the 2024 season, with 37 points up for grabs this weekend in Malaysia. Jorge Martin currently holds a 17-point lead over Francesco Bagnaia, giving Martin his first chance to take the championship this weekend.

So, What Does Martin Need to Do?

For Martin to be crowned champion this weekend, he must extend his lead to at least 38 points by the end of the weekend. Now we enter the critical Round 19 of the season. While Martin cannot mathematically secure the championship during the Sprint, earning 12 points would position him favorably for Sunday. If he wins both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, he would earn a maximum of 37 points, bringing his total to 490 points. In this scenario, Martin would be crowned champion if Bagnaia finishes fifth or lower in both races.

If Martin finishes second in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, he will need Bagnaia to place ninth or lower in both races. Another possibility is that if Martin finishes third in both events, Bagnaia must finish outside the points in the Sprint and in 14th place or lower in the Grand Prix.

On the other hand, if Bagnaia defeats Martin and wins both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, Martin must then win the race and require Bagnaia to finish in 15th place or lower. This combination would give Martin the crucial 38-point gap he needs to win the title, even if he does not finish in the following weekend.