Statistics, in any sport, are sometimes difficult to understand. Sometimes, they in no way reflect the emotions experienced by the viewer. But sometimes, some are fun and unusual: Today, let's focus on the craziest statistics, the untouchable records of our sport.
Two drivers immediately stand out when the word “record” is mentioned: Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini. The two Italians dominated the Grand Prix world in their time, and only the statistics allow us to see this correctly. First example: the number of victories in the premier category.
“Vale” has 89. He is ahead of “King Ago”, who has 68. That’s 21 more victories, which is absolutely enormous: But Márquez has 56 trophies. Realize, it would still take a little more than four years of total domination by the 2019 world champion (at eight victories per season, his career average) to equal the “doctor’s” record. It may not be untouchable, but it is already very serious and helps to fully understand what Rossi represented in his glory days.
Another absolutely crazy record for No. 46: the number of starts. This figure is still not fixed, and stands at 342 (in the premier category only) at the time these lines are written. But who is second in this ranking? It is none other than the Brazilian Alex Barros: He is almost 100 lengths behind (!!!), with 245 units, which already represents a very good career! This statistic will probably never be reached again.
In addition to its 15 titles in the three categories which are absolutely impregnable, Agostini is also a customer. For example, he took (brace yourself) seven consecutive titles in 500CC, from 1966 to 1972. Márquez, the last overall winner, still has to win the 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions to beat the record.
Agostini is out of category. His domination, as well as that of MV Agusta, was overwhelming. Here at the 1976 German Grand Prix in the 350CC category. Photo: Spurzem.
He also won 20 consecutive victories (over two seasons, spanning 1968 and 1969). For information, the second behind him has 12. To put it in relation to modern times, let's compare this to the pilots still active. Márquez is at 10, and Rossi at 7 consecutive victories. What Ago had accomplished was absolutely astonishing.
Records similar to these, the two compatriots have in spades. But let's also focus on other great drivers. Dani Pedrosa is also on the shelves, but in a more unusual category. He has the greatest number of victories without ever having won a championship, and the gap between him and Andrea Dovizioso is staggering.
The Spaniard has climbed to the top step 31 times, compared to 14 for the Italian, including 13 for the reds. At a rate of 1,8 victories per year for “DesmoDovi” (his annual average since he joined Ducati in 2013), it would take him more than nine seasons to reach Dani's record.
Andrea Dovizioso is not left out in terms of records: he holds one which will remain his property for a couple of years to come. In fact, he has not missed a single start since his arrival in MotoGP in 2008. Not one. This represents 215 consecutive lights outings, compared to 170 for Valentino Rossi (from 2000 to 2010). If he keeps this pace, this number can still climb very high. For comparison, Márquez has never missed a single start either. It is currently at 127 units. If Dovi ended his career today, it would take almost five years without missing a single race for the Honda Repsol rider to reach his height.
Andrea Dovizioso has not yet missed a single start in MotoGP, but also in his career in general, which is 313 races.
Cock-a-doodle Doo ! We are also in history, but not with the most pleasant figures. Indeed, Fabio Quartararo is now the man who has scored the most pole positions without ever winning a Grand Prix (with six points). He is ahead of…Johann Zarco, who has four. We of course wholeheartedly hope that this record will soon no longer be Franco-French.
Certain victories acquired at advanced ages, such as that of Fergus Anderson at the 1953 Spanish Grand Prix at the age of 44, will not be repeated. These fun numbers highlight something else: Given the complexity of the machines and the physical fitness required today, some facts just seem to be from another time.
How will we talk about the records of our current drivers in forty years? In the end, (only) sixty years have passed, showing us how much our sport has evolved and grown in a short time on a human scale. Come on, see you in 2060!
