How Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo can become MotoGP world champion

ByEurosport

Updated 05/11/2015 at 13:33 GMT

The final race of the MotoGP season takes place this weekend in Valencia, with seven points separating the two riders at the top of the standings. So what do Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo need to do to emerge victorious?

Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Factory) - GP of Australia 2015

Image credit: AFP

The final race of the MotoGP season sees Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo go head-to-head for the rider's title.

Rossi, the nine-time champion, holds a seven-point advantage over his Yamaha teammate going into the decider - but will start from the back of the grid in Valencia unless a late decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport earns him a reprieve.

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That arguably gives Lorenzo the advantage - while the Spaniard knows that if, the two finish level on points at the end of the race, he will claim his third title by virtue of having won more races over the course of the season.

If Rossi wins the race, of course, then he is guaranteed the title regardless of how Lorenzo fares. Beyond that, however, the permutations get rather complicated.

Here we try to break down who needs to do what in order to win.

The top 15 finishers in each race receive points. Riders get 25 points for a race win, 20 for second and 16 for third.

13 points are awarded for fourth and 11 for fifth, with each position below that worth one less point. The seven-point difference between Rossi and Lorenzo is equivalent to a ninth-place finish in one race.

In other words:

Lorenzo has to finish in the top nine to have any chance of winning the title.
If Rossi finishes in the top-two he will be champion, regardless of what Lorenzo does.
If Lorenzo finishes first or second, Rossi must finish a place behind him to deny him the title
If both finish outside the top four, Rossi needs to finish within six places to win the title.
If Rossi fails to score a point, Lorenzo needs to finish ninth - to win the title on races won - or higher.