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After years insisting that satellite teams couldn’t win MotoGP titles, Simon Patterson explains how Jorge Martin – with the help of Ducati – proved him wrong in 2024
Over the last two years, I’ve consistently argued on The Race MotoGP Podcast that satellite teams couldn’t win MotoGP titles, despite receiving enhanced support. This belief even became a catchphrase and made its way onto a T-shirt in The Race’s shop before the season finale at Barcelona. The key lies in the marginal gains of a close championship, where a factory team’s benefits shine. With a bike and team exclusively developed for the rider, factory teams have the upper hand in the game of seconds. However, Ducati shattered this notion by heavily backing Pramac in 2024, giving Jorge Martin everything he needed to defeat the reigning champion. Martin acknowledged this support post-race, emphasizing his gratitude towards his team and Ducati for their unwavering belief in him, despite not being selected for the factory team.
