Where are the Japanese factories? 

We have to go back to the Emilia-Romagna GP last year to find a representative of a Japanese brand on the top step of the podium. On the Misano circuit, Marc Marquez then won after following Francesco Bagnaia for a long time, finally making a mistake a few laps from the checkered flag. 

Since then, Ducati, KTM, and even Aprilia have triumphed in the last six races in the premier class. No Japanese brand at the forefront in six or more races? For that, we have to go back to the 1970s, more precisely, the eight 500cc races between the 1973 Yugoslavia GP with Kim Newcombe on the handlebars of a König (German factory) and the 1974 French GP with Phil Read on an MV Agusta ( Italian firm).

Consequently, since the opening of the calendar in Qatar, only European manufacturers have triumphed and this has not happened since 1972 with Giacomo Agostini and Alberto Pagani (son of Nello Pagani, very first 125cc world champion in 1949, passed through F1 in 1950), winner of the first 12 races of the season on MV Agusta. That year, however, Chas Mortimer saved Japanese honor by winning the final in Spain on his Yamaha (the very first success for the Iwata factory in the premier category).

Note that in Austin, five Ducatis occupied the first five places on the grid ahead of fabio quartararo and his Yamaha. This is a first for the same manufacturer since the 2003 Pacific GP with five Hondas in the Top 5 at the start. 

Events outside Europe have very often had surprises in store in the past and this year is no exception to the rule. Next week, the paddock of MotoGP will return to Europe and will set down his bags on the Portimão circuit in Portugal. And in the three races contested on the Lusitanian track so far, KTM, Yamaha and Ducati each share a victory.