Pecco Bagnaia’s dominant AlgarveGP victory secured Ducati the MotoGP Constructors’ World Championship for the second consecutive time.
The Italian manufacturer celebrated its third premier class title in 13 years, and two in a row at the Portimao circuit, as Bagnaia and Ducati Lenovo teammate Jack Miller climbed the podium in first and third respectively on Sunday.
21 podiums and six victories, shared between three teams and five riders, secured the spoils for the Borgo Panigale outfit in 2021 with the current crop of Bagnaia, Miller, Johann Zarco, Jorge Martin, Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini remaining for next season. Two further riders are set to join the campaign as Gresini Racing fields a fourth Ducati Team for 2022. Double Misano podium-sitter Bastianini has already been announced as moving across with Fabio Di Giannantonio set to partner, while Marco Bezzecchi is anticipated alongside Marini at VR46.
“The best motorcycle in the world is Made in Italy,” Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali declared on Sunday evening. “Ducati is MotoGP Constructors’ World Champion for the second year in a row. This remarkable success fills us with pride.
“Once again, the teamwork of engineers and riders has given excellent results. The Desmosedici GP has proved to be very competitive, bringing on the podium 5 out of 6 riders who raced on Ducati bikes during the Championship. Pecco Bagnaia, Jack Miller, Jorge Martin, Johann Zarco, Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini have all been extraordinary. I want to thank them for giving us a season full of emotions with six victories and a record of 21 podiums, despite one race still to go.
“We have bet on these young talents and on their energy without being disappointed. A big thank you also to the entire Ducati Corse team for bringing home this great result once again, working with the passion and determination that has always distinguished every member of the Ducati family on track. Now we just have to close the season in the best way possible with the race in Valencia and then look forward to next year with the desire to improve more and more.”
Ducati has one more target as the season concludes with its traditional Valencia finale, the team title. The factory Ducati Lenovo squad currently lead the standings by 28 points over Monster Energy Yamaha, and while Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo became MotoGP World Champion in Misano, Franky Morbidelli is still struggling with full-race fitness after his summer knee surgery. With both Bagnaia and Miller firing on all cylinders it would take quite a turn around, or a repeat of the Emilia-Romagna disaster, to deny them the double.
“It’s really a great satisfaction to be able to win the Constructors’ World Championship again this year, and I’d like to thank our riders and all the men and women of Ducati Corse who have contributed to this incredible success,” Luigi Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse General Manager added.
“We’re still a little disappointed about the riders’ title because it was really within our reach this year. Again today, Pecco rode a perfect race and didn’t make the slightest mistake all weekend! It has been a great season, and he is a great rider. Congratulations also to Jack! We are happy that he was finally able to get back on the podium after showing he could be fast during the last Grand Prix.”
