The 2023 MotoGP World Championship has been predominantly a Ducati affair. Francesco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin, and Marco Bezzecchi are battling for the title, each representing different teams. Bagnaia rides the GP23 for the factory team, directly overseen by the company. In contrast, Martin and Bezzecchi race for “satellite” teams, Pramac and Mooney VR46, respectively. Despite these distinctions, Ducati ensures full support for all, even if a non-“official” team clinches the title. This approach marks a departure from past practices.
Historically, there have been instances where Honda’s factory team and its “satellite” teams vied for the championship, leading to internal conflicts. For instance:
- Cadalora: In 1996, Luca Cadalora switched to the Honda Nsr 500 of the Kanemoto team. After a promising start, Honda reportedly intervened in the support provided to Cadalora, affecting his championship run.
- Biaggi: Max Biaggi, in 1998, made a strong debut in the top class with the Kanemoto team. Despite a stellar start, Biaggi felt that Honda favored the official HRC team and Mick Doohan, leading to disparities in bike updates and support.
- Gibernau: In 2003, Sete Gibernau, after inheriting Daijiro Kato’s RC211V, found himself in a similar situation. Despite being part of the “satellite” Gresini team, he had a factory Honda. However, after a certain point in the championship, Gibernau felt that Honda provided superior material to Valentino Rossi, an official HRC rider.
Currently, Martin enjoys the privilege of using the same bike as the official riders, even though he’s part of a different structure. This situation mirrors Gibernau’s in 2003. After a victory in Germany, Gibernau was only 29 points behind Rossi. However, as Gibernau later claimed, Honda provided Rossi with a prototype for 2004, giving him an edge.
These historical instances contrast with Ducati’s current approach, where all riders, irrespective of their team affiliations, receive equal support and opportunities.