The Japanese GP always delivers drama, weather chaos, and unforgettable last-lap duels. With the Motul Grand Prix of Japan arriving this weekend and Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) looking to extend his Championship lead, let's take a look back at some of the greatest moments Motegi and the Japanese GP have given us over the years.
The 2007 Japanese Grand Prix is a day Ducati will never forget. Dani Pedrosa took an early lead in the tricky conditions before Casey Stoner carved his way to the front, battling with Marco Melandri. Changing conditions forced a flag-to-flag bike swap, where Valentino Rossi's hopes slipped away after an extra trip to the pits and an off-track excursion. Loris Capirossi took the victory, but Casey Stoner claimed P6, and with Rossi finishing in P13, it was enough for the Australian to become the 2007 World Champion.
Then came the 2010 Yamaha duel between teammates Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi. Dani Pedrosa was forced to sit out following a crash on Friday. Casey Stoner held the advantage over Andrea Dovizioso in the opening stages, while Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi began the fight for P3. Rossi held the upper hand in a battle that produced some of the most iconic images we've seen at Motegi. Stoner clinched victory, defeating Dovizioso by 3.868s, while Rossi earned third, just 0.514s ahead of Lorenzo.
In 2015, Jorge Lorenzo stormed into the lead in the early wet conditions. Dani Pedrosa placed himself into podium contention by passing Andrea Dovizioso and eventually Valentino Rossi. Pedrosa put down the hammer, hunted down Lorenzo, and made the move with seven laps remaining. Pedrosa took victory by an astonishing 8.573s over Rossi, who extended his Championship lead to 18 points after an error from Lorenzo with five laps to go.
The 2017 rain-soaked Japanese GP provided another blockbuster finish, with Johann Zarco starting from pole. Marc Marquez stole the lead at Turn 1, with P1 swapping hands as Jorge Lorenzo and later Danilo Petrucci had their turn at the front. In the closing stages, a battle hit boiling point between Marquez and Dovizioso, with Dovizioso's decisive move arriving at Turn 11 to secure victory by 0.249s, while Marquez finished second and Petrucci completed the podium.
Finally, the 2018 Japanese GP saw Marc Marquez arrive with the chance to become World Champion under the Sunday sunshine. Dovizioso led the early laps, but Marquez made his move with four laps remaining, launching a crucial overtake for the Championship at Turn 9. Dovizioso crashed out on the penultimate lap, cementing Marquez as the 2018 MotoGP World Champion. From Makoto Tamada's home win in 2004, to Rossi and Melandri's collision in 2005, and Jack Miller's magnificent triumph in 2022, Japan's history is unmatched.
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