Casey Stoner Criticizes Ducati’s Rider Management: A Misstep Adding Unnecessary Pressure on the Reigning Champion
Casey Stoner, a legend in MotoGP history and a former two-time world champion, has always been known for his candid and no-nonsense approach to the sport. Since his retirement in 2012, Stoner has remained connected to the MotoGP world, frequently sharing his insights and critiques of the current state of racing. Recently, his focus has shifted to Ducati, a team with which he holds a rich history, and more specifically, to how the Italian manufacturer has managed its riders in recent years.
Stoner’s comments have sparked considerable interest, especially since they touch on the reigning champion, Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, and the pressure that Ducati’s management style may be exerting on him. Stoner’s critique centers on what he perceives as mismanagement by Ducati, resulting in unnecessary stress for their riders, including the current title holder.
To fully appreciate Stoner’s criticism, it’s essential to understand his deep connection to Ducati. Stoner’s 2007 championship win with the Italian manufacturer remains one of the most memorable seasons in MotoGP history. Riding the Ducati Desmosedici GP7, Stoner dominated the competition, securing Ducati’s first—and, until Bagnaia’s triumph in 2022, only—MotoGP world title.
Stoner’s success with Ducati was significant not only for the team but for the sport. He demonstrated that the Ducati machine, often seen as difficult to tame, could be a championship-winning bike in the hands of the right rider. However, his relationship with Ducati wasn’t without its challenges. Stoner eventually left the team for Honda in 2011, citing various issues, including disagreements over the development direction of the bike.
Given his history with the team, Stoner’s perspective on Ducati’s current rider management carries weight. He knows what it’s like to ride for the Italian manufacturer and understands the unique pressures that come with it.
Francesco Bagnaia, who secured the 2022 MotoGP World Championship, has been at the center of Stoner’s recent critique. Bagnaia’s rise to the top was no small feat, and his success has brought Ducati back to the pinnacle of MotoGP after a 15-year drought. However, Stoner believes that the way Ducati manages its riders—particularly in a highly competitive environment—has placed unnecessary stress on Bagnaia.
One of Stoner’s key concerns is the way Ducati juggles multiple riders, all of whom are highly competitive. Ducati’s current strategy of supporting several factory-supported riders, such as Enea Bastianini, Jorge Martin, and others, may foster internal competition that Stoner believes is counterproductive. According to him, this creates an environment where riders feel they must constantly prove themselves, even when they are the reigning champion.
“There’s nothing wrong with having competition within a team, but it needs to be managed properly,” Stoner has been quoted as saying. “The way Ducati is handling their riders right now, it seems like they’re putting more pressure on their champion than is necessary. Pecco is a fantastic rider, and he’s proven himself, but if you keep the environment tense, you risk burning out your top talent.”
Ducati’s strategy of nurturing several top-tier riders at once is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it ensures that they have multiple riders capable of winning races and potentially contending for the title. On the other hand, it can create internal tension and make it difficult for any one rider to establish dominance.
For Bagnaia, this internal competition comes at a time when he should be focusing on defending his title. Instead, Stoner believes that Ducati’s emphasis on pushing multiple riders to succeed simultaneously has led to a scenario where Bagnaia faces undue pressure, not only from his rivals on other teams but from within his own camp.
“Bagnaia shouldn’t have to worry about what’s happening behind him,” Stoner remarked. “When you’re the reigning champion, the team should be fully behind you, allowing you to concentrate on staying at the top. But if you feel like you constantly have to fight for your position within the team, it can become mentally draining.”
Stoner’s point reflects a broader issue in MotoGP: the delicate balance between fostering competition and supporting a clear leader. In a sport as mentally and physically demanding as MotoGP, confidence is crucial, and anything that undermines a rider’s self-assurance can have significant consequences on track.
Stoner’s critique also touches on a recurring theme in Ducati’s history. The team has often been accused of failing to manage internal rivalries effectively, with past examples including the contentious relationship between Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo. While competition within a team can spur riders to new heights, it can also create divisions and lead to inconsistent results if not handled properly.
In Bagnaia’s case, his main internal competitor, Enea Bastianini, has shown that he is more than capable of winning races and challenging for the title. While this is undoubtedly a positive for Ducati in terms of overall team performance, it also means that Bagnaia must constantly be aware of the threat posed by his teammate, in addition to fending off challenges from riders like Marc Márquez, Fabio Quartararo, and others from rival manufacturers.
Stoner’s belief is that Ducati needs to simplify its approach, focusing on supporting Bagnaia’s title defense rather than creating an environment where multiple riders are vying for the spotlight.
As someone who has been in Bagnaia’s position as a title contender and champion, Stoner’s perspective carries weight. He knows the unique pressures that come with being at the top, and he understands how crucial it is for a rider to feel fully supported by their team. Stoner’s belief is that Ducati’s current management style risks overloading Bagnaia with pressure, which could ultimately affect his performance.
In his view, Ducati should prioritize its reigning champion and create a more focused environment where Bagnaia can thrive without the added stress of internal competition. “You need to back your champion, especially in the year following their title win. Let them focus on defending the crown without the distraction of constantly looking over their shoulder.”
Casey Stoner’s critique of Ducati’s rider management highlights a critical issue that has long plagued the team: the challenge of managing multiple top-tier talents within a single organization. While internal competition can drive performance, it can also create unnecessary pressure, particularly for a reigning champion like Bagnaia.
Stoner’s call for a more streamlined approach, where the team focuses on supporting its champion, is rooted in his deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in MotoGP. As the 2024 season unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Ducati will adjust its strategy in response to Stoner’s insights, or whether Bagnaia will continue to shoulder the burden of both internal and external competition.
