Casey Stoner on Ducati’s 2024 title battle: ‘If they create a problem, it will backfire’
2007 and 2011 MotoGP champion weighs in on 2024 title battle
Casey Stoner is surprised Ducati has allowed Jorge Martin to battle for the 2024 MotoGP title on level terms but warns if it now ‘creates a problem, it will backfire’.
The Australian won Ducati’s first world title in the premier class in 2007, before his relationship with the Italian brand soured and he left for Honda in 2011.
Stoner returned to Ducati in 2016 to become a test rider, before leaving that role in 2018.
Next weekend’s season finale in Barcelona will see Ducati celebrate its fourth riders’ title, as Pramac’s Martin and reigning double world champion Francesco Bagnaia lock horns for the crown.
Martin is favourite to win the title with a 24-point lead heading to the final round.
Ducati has ensured a level playing field between both riders, despite Martin’s signing for Aprilia for 2025 after being snubbed for a factory seat alongside Bagnaia.
Speaking in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport at EICMA, Stoner believes there are still elements of Ducati management who don’t want the number one plate to go to Aprilia next year and has warned that any meddling now will “backfire”.
“That's what Gigi [Dall’Igna] thinks, but then there are the [Ducati bosses] who don't want to lose the number one,” he said.
“But everyone is watching them very closely, if they make a mistake like that, it will be found out.
“If they create a problem, it will backfire. I hope that everything goes well and that we can see the real world champion.”
Stoner believes Martin “deserves” the championship in 2024 but his departure from Ducati will be tougher for him than it will be for the Italian manufacturer.
“Jorge has shown what he is capable of and has improved continuously,” the double world champion added.
“He deserves to win the world championship.
“For Ducati it would be a hard blow losing him next year, but I think even more so for Jorge, who has spent these years being loyal to the brand, has made extraordinary efforts to be the only one able to fight with Bagnaia to win races and the championship, and they deprived him of the opportunity to move up to the factory team.
“I don't think it's fair.
“But, unfortunately, that's how Ducati works and that's why they've lost so many riders.
