Ducati has introduced a new rear winglet on its GP26 at the Australian Grand Prix, resembling an aerodynamic feature used by Aprilia and intended to improve high-speed stability. The move follows earlier similarities between the rivals’ designs and echoes Mick Doohan’s questions about whether Ducati has lost ground or Aprilia has advanced.
Marc Marquez said that during the first half of 2026, he often wanted to spend Sundays lying on the sofa. His subdued reactions after strong sprint results in Austria and Japan drew attention.
Riders met championship executives at Phillip Island on Saturday and sought, among other assurances, an evacuation plan for all paddock personnel and hotel costs if airspace closures prevent them from leaving Doha. VR46 team boss Uccio Salucci said, “They gave us some guarantees.” The Qatar GP, postponed from April to November 6-8, is still scheduled to go ahead.
Jack Miller scored his first points of the MotoGP season in the Phillip Island sprint, finishing seventh after qualifying fifth. He hopes for rain in the Grand Prix but sees no need to reschedule sessions or the race: “We’re an all-weather sport, so we have to race in all conditions.”
Fabio Di Giannantonio said a gust nearly threw him off his Ducati as he tried to signal to Diogo Moreira during their Australian GP sprint battle. After losing ground early, the VR46 rider recovered to finish third and complete a Ducati 1-2-3. “I nearly killed myself trying to signal to him, with the wind,” he said.
Maverick Vinales says he is competing in Australia despite not being fully fit because KTM will not pay his agreed salary if he does not race. He has been dealing with a left shoulder injury for more than a year and criticised MotoGP riders’ contract arrangements.
Marc Marquez crashed at Turn 4 in wet Q2, then claimed pole on his spare bike by 1.494 seconds over brother Alex before winning the Sprint ahead of Alex and Fabio di Giannantonio. Title rival Jorge Martin crashed at high speed on lap eight and was taken to the medical centre for checks, leaving Marquez 10 points clear in the championship. Alex said he held back because an attack was too risky: “If the risk is too high, I will not attack him.”
Alex Marquez chose not to attack his brother Marc in the Australian GP sprint, despite having the pace to try after Jorge Martin crashed. “He’s fighting for the title,” the Gresini rider said, explaining that a pass was too risky.
Martin crashed at Turn 8 in Saturday’s Phillip Island sprint, fracturing his right radius and possibly his ulna; Aprilia ruled him out of Sunday’s race. Raul Fernandez is also out after discomfort from finger fractures sustained in Indonesia forced him to retire from the sprint. Bezzecchi said Martin’s title hopes were “not over yet”; Martin is travelling to Melbourne for further checks.
Pedro Acosta finished eighth in the Phillip Island time attack to qualify directly for Q2, then took fifth in the dry sprint; he said that with three laps left, there was “nothing to gain ahead and nothing to lose behind.” Enea Bastianini also advanced directly in seventh and backs a riders’ union to give competitors more influence: “This MotoGP universe doesn’t exist without us.”
Pecco Bagnaia pulled into pit lane and retired from the Australian Grand Prix sprint after a problem worsened during the opening laps. “I had a small problem and had to retire,” he said, adding that the issue grew worse “corner after corner.”
After qualifying ninth, Marco Bezzecchi climbed to fourth in the Australian GP sprint, finishing just over a second behind the winner. “The world championship isn’t over yet,” he said, pointing to the season’s unpredictable nature.
Marc Marquez won the Phillip Island sprint after an intense duel with Jorge Martin, retaking the championship lead. Marquez said Martin had more pace but was pushing too hard; after Martin crashed and fractured his right forearm, he wished his rival a speedy recovery.