It was fairly obvious at the end of the last MotoGP race in Thailand that Johann Zarco, aboard a Ducati from the satellite team Pramac, handed Ducati factory rider Pecco Bagnaia three points. Zarco had incredible pace, passing riders at will before he arrived at Bagnaia’s rear wheel with a few laps remaining. He let Bagnaia have the final podium position (likely foregoing a “podium bonus” in his contract).
If it wasn’t obvious what Zarco had done, it became so when Ducati brass openly praised him after the race for holding back on a pass attempt on the Ducati rider with the best chance to defeat Fabio Quartararo in the championship this year. There are eight Ducati riders on the grid, with five or more of them typically finishing in the top ten at each race. If “manufacturer orders” come down from Ducati that “no Ducati rider shall finish ahead of Pecco Bagnaia” during the final races this year (there are three left), is that fair to Fabio Quartararo or Yamaha?
By contrast, Quartararo has no Yamaha rider likely to finish in the top ten at any race other than himself. Most races see Quartararo swimming in a sea of Ducati motorcycles. Even if it were inclined to, Yamaha would be unable to provide a similar advantage to Fabio as the series winds down.
Of course, Jack Miller put his Ducati in front of Bagnaia at the last round, but Miller is leaving Ducati for KTM next year. Zarco’s concession to Bagnaia, however, could be tied to his desire to solidify his relationship with the manufacturer of the motorcycle he will ride in 2023. Indeed, aside from Miller, all of the current Ducati riders will be riding Ducatis next year, as well.
We will see how the remaining races play out, but more concessions to Bagnaia by Ducati riders, such as the one made by Zarco in Thailand, could tarnish the reputation of the Italian manufacturer with some of the fans and, potentially, mar the championship crown of Pecco Bagnaia if he achieves it.
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