Before Martin, these drivers won titles with fewer victories than their rivals

For the second year in a row, Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia offered us a title fight until the last round of the championship. But unlike in 2023, it was the Spaniard who came out on top, despite having a number of victories far fewer than Pecco Bagnaia.

Nicky Hayden – 2006

In the 2006 MotoGP season, Nicky Hayden became the first rider to win the championship – under its current name – with fewer wins than his opponent. He was up against Valentino RossiAlready a multiple world champion, dominant for many years.

In Valencia, the American overcame his rival by just five points, after winning two Grand Prix out of the seventeen that made up the season. The Doctor, for his part, had won five times. His three retirements and the thirteenth place he took in Valencia were therefore lacking for him.

Jorge Lorenzo – 2012

Compatriots, but above all rivals, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa engaged in a fierce duel for the title in 2012. The #26 won seven races. While the #99 climbed to the top step of the podium six times. A small difference, which did not however play in Dani Pedrosa's favor, who lost that season.

Marc Marquez – 2013 and 2017

The following year, Jorge Lorenzo experienced the opposite scenario against the rookie, Marc Marquez. The one who was still only a young prodigy looking for success in the premier class, lost 6 to 8 when we look at the ranking of victories. His consistency throughout the season, however, allowed him to win the title in his first season in MotoGP.

Four years later, the Spaniard became a quadruple MotoGP world champion in the same way. His opponent this time was Andrea Dovizioso. The two rivals each collected six victories during this campaign. The number 93, who therefore did not overtake the Italian in terms of victories, nevertheless finished the season with 37 points more than the latter on his Ducati.

Joan Mir – 2020

In 2020, during a season heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, Joan Mir became MotoGP world champion with Suzuki. This is also the brand's last title, before its withdrawal at the end of 2022. That year, however, the Spaniard had fewer victories than two of his opponents.

Franco Morbidelli and fabio quartararo had both won three times. Joan Mir, for his part, had only won one first place in the fourteen rounds of this season. His nine top-5s, including seven podiums, had nevertheless allowed him to find success.

Jorge Martin – 2024

In 2024, Jorge Martin won three times on Sunday, compared to eleven for Pecco Bagnaia. The Pramac rider's almost flawless consistency, however, rewarded him. As a reminder, in addition to winning the championship with fewer victories than his opponent, Jorge Martin became the first independent world champion of the MotoGP era. The last person to have achieved this feat in history was Valentino Rossi, at the end of the 2001 season.

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