Since the start of the season, the Ducati hierarchy has been quite difficult to read. Who is the real number 1? Who is the worst student of the reds? With eight bikes on the grid, it's not easy to see clearly. Today, let's look at this question and believe me, looking at the general ranking will not be enough. Are you ready ? Let's go !
Not what you imagine
I agree, it seems easy to determine a hierarchy when a points system exists. But no, this analysis will not be devoted to that. In addition to sports results, I will try to gauge dynamics, progression, equipment, of course, adding as much context as possible to each case. Comparison between teammates is legion, determining to understand a driver's place on the grid in relation to the status he enjoys.
It is more than one power ranking in the American style – which apprehends the form at the moment T – coupled with a contextual analysis. There is a very simple example to illustrate what I mean: In the championship, Johann Zarco is behind Augusto Fernandez. However, it seems obvious that the Frenchman is the better of the two, and his balance sheet can be explained. Position doesn't mean everything.
Finished the introduction, time for the classification, with a short explanatory paragraph for each.
1 – Pecco Bagnaia
Bagnaia is often one step ahead. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
I continue to say that Bagnaia is number 1 at Ducati, as its number indicates. He is the one who has the most victories this season, regularly fights up front and is only slowed down by himself and his mistakes. He is in the best team on the best machine. The winning combo, for sure. Full of confidence, he once again showed in Italy that he could dominate head and shoulders, in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix. He knows how to fight too, without problem. His position in the championship – second at 18 points behind Jorge Martin – does not fully reflect its power, in my opinion. He is the first danger of the Borgo Panigale firm.
2 – Marc Marquez
As surprising as it may seem, I place Marc Marquez in second position, either in front of Jorge Martin. This is explained quite easily. Even though he was a step below Pecco and the "Martinator", he showed that he still had the speed, determination, and aura of a legend. On a Desmosedici GP23 in difficulty in the hands of others, he works miracles, even if he still forces himself from time to time. The eight-time champion is progressing slowly but remains on a very solid basis, with excellent projection capacity at the start of the race. Yes, in my opinion, what he does is more impressive than Martin's achievements.
3 – Jorge Martin
Let's get to the point. This may seem paradoxical in view of the classification, because Jorge is first currently. I find that people easily forget their moments of absence like in Spain or Italy and forgive them much more than in Pecco Bagnaia. Moreover, at Mugello, he was visibly disturbed by this transfer window which did not go his way. And then, compared to Marc Marquez, for example, we know that he is capable of such feats since he already played in the championship last year. This is why it is difficult to note progress, he started from very high. Martin is one of the best, that's for sure, and will continue to fight for the 2024 crown. But is he, in my analysis, better than Bagnaia and Marquez? I do not think so. Not far, it's true, and sometimes better in one day, but on the pure level of potential, I imagine them higher.
The Martinator must give everything this season. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
4 – Enea Bastianini
obviously, Bastianini comes in fourth place, quite far from the podium. A position that suits him well, exactly the same as the one he occupies as a general. I saw him a little stronger, but he doesn't disappoint either. His defection from Ducati could perhaps push him to give himself, but will the firm trust him until the end of his contract, especially with Bagnaia who is already doing the job well on the side? Not sure. For now, one thing is certain: Bastianini was never able to take the necessary step to announce himself as a legitimate title contender, which is not the case with the three men I placed in front of him.
5 – Fabio Di Giannantonio
This may sound crazy to you, but I think the gap between “Diggia” and “Bestia” is smaller than between Bastianini and Marc Marquez. New to the VR46 ecosystem, Di Giannantonio has been able to adapt perfectly and works very well. He is regular, progressing, and even has good intrinsic speed. Still far from his exploits at the end of 2023, this means that he still has room for improvement even though he is already very good. For a rider who was destined for Superbike at six Grands Prix at the end of last season, this is remarkable. I wouldn't be surprised if he improves further to the point of being on the podium in a while.
6 – Franco Morbidelli
It's perhaps too well paid, of course. But even with all the bad faith in the world, Franco Morbidelli's progress must be noted. After an honorable 2023 with Yamaha, he arrived at Pramac Ducati alongside an ace without being able to test the machine during the winter due to a serious injury. His debut in Qatar was catastrophic, but he came back with a messy but effective approach, rewarded with two fourth places in Sprint as well as two appearances in the top 7 during the last two Grands Prix he finished. It's getting better and better, and I wouldn't be surprised if he keeps his role at Pramac given the downgrade the team will suffer in Martin's absence next year.
7 – Marco Bezzecchi
A podium, and then nothing. Even if I have already returned to his profile at length in this article, I can only be sorry for his current situation. If we except his race in Jerez, he was unrecognizable, light years away from Pecco Bagnaia whom he tickled at times last year. His value on the transfer market fell, so much so that his case was never mentioned at the time of the selection of the new official Ducati rider. The GP23 doesn't suit him, but he could come back in the event of a sudden unlocking of performance; talent is not lost in such a short time. The opportunity at Aprilia is interesting; We will come back to this in detail next week.
Benefiting from very good equipment can lead to other problems. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
8 – Alex Marquez
But who still talks about Alex Marquez? While he had hinted at good speed in 2023, he was absent from the debates. But totally absent. He is consistent, yes, but has no podium, no pole position, no best lap in the race and above all, only two appearances in the points during the Sprints. Totally in the shadow of his brother at Gresini Ducati, we no longer see him on screen at all, and it's even terrible. He remains in this kind of soft belly, which does not translate into anything good overall. In 10th place, stuck between Fabio Di Giannantonio above and Marco Bezzecchi below ("Diggia" is already 23 points ahead of the Spaniard), he doesn't play much, except the conservation of his place for next year. Even his fourth place in Jerez went unnoticed, and since then, he has never entered the top 6 again. As with the “Bez”, the GP23 resists him.
What did you think of this article? Do you agree with my choices? Give me yours in comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
