At the end of the Barcelona Grand Prix, Jorge Martin became the first rider from an independent team to become world champion since the start of the MotoGP era in 2002.
However, he is not the only one to have achieved this feat in the history of the world championship. Before him, five drivers were titled with satellite teams in the premier category, when the latter was still called 5oocc. A figure which, however, testifies to the rarity of the feat.
Kenny Roberts – 1978
The first driver to thwart plans for a factory world championship was Kenny Roberts. Crowned world champion in the 500cc category at the end of the 1978 season, the American was associated with Yamaha USA. A team independent of the Japanese factory.
He had won four victories, during the X rounds that made up this season. So many successes which allowed him to overtake the legend of the brand, Barry Sheene. The Briton, for his part, had won x times, to accumulate a total of x units. Or X less than Kenny Roberts.
Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini – 1981 and 1982
A handful of seasons later, two drivers joined Roberts in this closed circle. In five, the factories were beaten three times by independent teams, since in 1981, Marco Lucchinelli won. A success followed by that of Franco Uncini, crowned the following year with a satellite team as well.
These riders, for their part, won the championship aboard a factory Suzuki. Official machines supplied to independent teams. The feat is less remarkable than that of Roberts, but reinforces the idea of a rivalry between factory teams and satellite teams.
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Eddie Lawson – 1989
However, we will have to wait a few more years to see the driver from an independent team win again. Eddie Lawson would do so in 1989, winning the 500cc title with a Honda customer team. He then managed to get rid of the threat Wayne Rainey.
Valentino Rossi – 2001
Finally, during the last year of existence of the 500cc class, and just before the transition to MotoGP, Valentino Rossi won the title with a Honda from the Nastro Azzurro team. The No. 46 then dominated the season, winning eleven victories in X rounds. He left no chance to his most serious rival, Max Biaggi – equipped by the factory – whom he beat by 106 points.
Jorge Martin – 2024
In twenty-three seasons, no driver has managed to repeat the feat. Some drivers came very close. Sete Gibernau (2003) and Marco Melandri (2005) believed in it against Valentino Rossi. Just like Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo believed in 2020, against Joan Mir.
In 2023, Jorge Martin came very close to the feat, and still allowed his team, Pramac Racing, to become the first independent champion team with the help of Johann Zarco. The Spaniard does not give up, however, and is back in action in 2024 against a Pecco Bagnaia who is stronger than ever. This second attempt will be the good one. On November 17, 2024, Jorge Martin lifts the world crown and makes history.
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