Bagnaia grew to become the primary Ducati rider in 15 years to win the world title final week within the 2022 season finale in Valencia, whereas turning into the primary rider ever to have overturned a 91-point deficit and undergo 5 DNFs to be topped champion.
No rider has used the #1 plate as defending champion since Casey Stoner in 2012 following his second title the 12 months earlier than with Honda.
Stoner additionally ran the #1 in 2008 after his 2007 championship win with Ducati, whereas solely Jorge Lorenzo in 2011 following his first title win and Nicky Hayden in 2007 have joined the Australian in utilizing the #1 plate within the trendy MotoGP period.
PLUS: Why Bagnaia’s MotoGP triumph is as worthy as Stoner’s Ducati breakthrough
Bagnaia, who at present runs the #63 – however in his Moto2 and Moto3 days has used #42 and #21 – admits utilizing the #1 plate is “one thing I’ve to consider” because it is a chance reserved for champions – however concedes it should include a variety of stress.
“I’m comfortable that I’ve this sort of drawback, however sincerely it’s one thing I’ve to consider loads as a result of it’s true that not everyone can use the primary,” Bagnaia stated in Valencia in the course of the 2023 pre-season check after the race.
“However having the primary can put a variety of stress on you.
“I’ve at all times been fascinated by riders with the primary.
“So, let’s see. It’s tough to decide on. For certain it’s a distinct assume. I simply hope I’ll have a possibility in future years to not really feel once more what I felt on Sunday [in the Valencia finale], as a result of it may be extra harmful.”
Casey Stoner, Ducati
Picture by: Martin Heath / Motorsport Images
When requested if he felt like a world champion but at the moment, Bagnaia added: “No, sincerely no. However I stated already that I’ll give one week to Ducati to let me do what they need after which I’ll flip off my cellphone to assume and to calm down.”
The final rider to have efficiently defended the #1 plate in MotoGP was Mick Doohan in 1998, when he took the final of his 5 500cc world titles.
Since then, no rider who has run the #1 (Alex Criville in 2000, Kenny Roberts Jr. in 2001, Stoner in 2008 and 2012, Lorenzo in 2011) has retained the crown.
Bagnaia was unable to make use of both of his Moto2 or Moto3 race numbers when he made his MotoGP debut in 2009, as Alex Rins – who debuted in 2017 – ran #42 and Franco Morbidelli – who debuted in 2018 – ran #21.
The #63 he now races with got here from the sum complete of his race numbers in Moto2 and Moto3.
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