Casey Stoner, a two-time MotoGP World Champion, has raised concerns about Ducati’s stance on the ongoing 2024 championship battle, despite the manufacturer’s public claims of fairness between its riders. Stoner, who has firsthand experience with Ducati during his time with the team from 2007 to 2010, expressed his surprise that Ducati has allowed its riders to race freely this season, but warned that the Italian company would not want to lose the coveted number one plate in MotoGP.
As the season nears its conclusion, Jorge Martin of Pramac Ducati is leading the 2024 MotoGP standings with a commanding 24-point lead over Ducati factory rider Francesco Bagnaia, with just one race remaining in Barcelona. Martin has been a dominant force this season, showcasing his maturity and consistency in securing valuable points, even though he has won only three races compared to Bagnaia’s ten victories. Despite Martin’s strong performance, many in the paddock had speculated from the start of the season that Ducati would not allow a rider from outside its factory team to win the championship, especially after Martin signed a two-year deal with rival brand Aprilia in May. A title win for Martin would mean that Aprilia would be entitled to run the number one plate on their RS-GP in 2025, further fueling doubts about Ducati's willingness to support him.
Ducati, however, has publicly maintained that it would keep things fair between its two riders. Team manager Davide Tardozzi even reiterated at the Malaysian Grand Prix that Enea Bastianini would not be asked to support Bagnaia’s title bid. Despite these assurances, Stoner is unconvinced, drawing on his knowledge of Ducati’s internal dynamics and the team’s history of prioritizing success at all costs.
Stoner, when asked about the possibility that Ducati's leadership might not want Martin to win, stated, “I’m of the same opinion. I know the company, and I know what they are willing to do to win. I’m surprised I didn’t see it earlier, or maybe it happened, and Jorge got good at handling it.” This comment reflects Stoner’s skepticism regarding Ducati’s public stance, with the former champion suggesting that there might be internal pressures and motivations within the company that are not immediately apparent.
While Stoner acknowledged that Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati’s Technical Director and the mastermind behind the dominant GP24 bike, may be committed to ensuring Martin has an equal opportunity to compete for the title, he also pointed out that other figures within the Ducati hierarchy may have different priorities. “That’s what Gigi thinks. But then there are the [Ducati bosses], who don’t want to lose the number one,” Stoner explained. He added that Ducati’s every move will be closely watched and scrutinized, saying, “If they make a mistake, it will be exposed. If they create a problem, it will backfire.”
Stoner expressed hope that Ducati would remain fair in the title fight, adding, “I hope everything goes well, and we can see the real world champion.” His comments reflect his desire for the championship to be decided based on merit and performance, rather than internal politics or favoritism.
Jorge Martin’s impressive rise in MotoGP has been marked by a level of consistency and maturity that has made him the only rider consistently able to challenge Francesco Bagnaia for the title. After a heartbreaking defeat in 2023, where he narrowly lost the championship to Bagnaia, Martin has grown in confidence and skill, making him a formidable contender this year. Despite winning fewer races than Bagnaia, Martin’s ability to consistently score points has been crucial in maintaining his lead in the championship standings.
As the 2024 season nears its conclusion, all eyes will be on Ducati to see how they handle the situation with Martin and Bagnaia. The outcome of the title battle could be influenced not just by the riders' performances, but also by the internal dynamics at Ducati. Stoner’s comments underscore the complexity of the situation, and while he hopes for a fair and transparent championship, he remains cautious about the potential for Ducati to influence the outcome in ways not immediately visible to the public.
