Kuala Lumpur, November 01 (QNA) - Seven-time world champion Marc Marquez claimed victory Sunday at the Malaysian Grand Prix, finishing 4.172 seconds ahead of fellow Spaniard Pedro Acosta and substantially strengthening his grip on the MotoGP championship lead, widening his advantage to 44 points over his closest rival, Jorge Martin, who missed the race because of injury.

Marquez crossed the finish line in 40 minutes, 14.236 seconds, while his younger brother and compatriot, Alex Marquez, finished third, 5.955 seconds behind the winner. Acosta had won Saturday's sprint race.

Marc Marquez made a strong start, passing his brother Alex, who had started from pole position, at the first corner. Alex quickly reclaimed the lead but ran wide at the next turn, giving Marc another opportunity to move ahead. Marc invariably maintained his position thereafter, navigating the remaining laps without mistakes and holding on to the lead all the way to the finish.

The seven-time world champion raised his points tally to 399, extending his championship lead to 44 points over Martin, whose absence due to injury left him on 355 points.

Acosta, who rides for KTM, secured second place after claiming Saturday's sprint victory, while fellow Spaniard Alex Marquez, of Gresini Racing, finished third. (QNA)