Before Jorge Martin, these drivers were champions with an independent team

At the end of the Barcelona Grand Prix, Jorge Martin became the first driver from an independent team to become world champion since the beginning of the era. MotoGPIn 2002.

However, it is not not the only one to have achieved this feat in the history of the world championship. Before him, five riders were crowned with satellite teams in the premier class, when the latter was still called 5oocc. A figure which nevertheless testifies to the rarity of the feat.

Kenny Roberts – 1978

The first rider to thwart the plans of a factory in the 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. So many successes that had allowed him to overtake the legend of the brand, Barry Sheene.

Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini – 1981 and 1982

A handful of seasons later, two riders joined Roberts in this closed circle. In five years, the factories would have been 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 won the championship on factory Suzukis. Official machines supplied to independent teams. The feat is less remarkable than Roberts', but reinforces the idea of ​​a rivalry between factory teams and satellite teams.

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Eddie Lawson – 1989

However, it would take a few more years for the rider from an independent team to win again. Eddie Lawson would do so in 1989, winning the 500cc title with a Honda customer team. He had then managed to get rid of the Wayne Rainey threat.

Valentino Rossi – 2001

Finally, in the last year 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 #46 had dominated the season, taking eleven victories. 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 have come very close. Sete Gibernau (2003) and Marco Melandri (2005) believed in it against Valentino Rossi. Just like Franco Morbidelli and fabio quartararo believed in it in 2020, against Joan Mir.

In 2023, Jorge Martin came very close to the feat, and despite everything allowed his team, Pramac Racing, to become the first independent champion team with the help of Johann Zarco. The Spaniard did not give up, however, and did it again in 2024 against a Pecco Bagnaia stronger than ever. This second attempt would be the right one. On November 17, 2024, Jorge Martin lifted the world crown and made history.