
Francesco Bagnaia continues to solidify his dominance in the 2024 MotoGP season, delivering a performance that is nothing short of remarkable. His latest victory at the Austrian Grand Prix marks his seventh win of the year, further establishing his and Ducati’s supremacy on the track. This triumph is not just another win; it’s a significant milestone in his career.
Bagnaia has been the rider to beat in 2024. Despite a few missteps in the sprint races, the two-time champion has been virtually unbeatable on Sundays, where the majority of points are up for grabs. His win at the Austrian Grand Prix extends his lead in the riders’ championship, placing him five points ahead of his closest rival, Jorge Martin.
Bagnaia’s victory in Austria has brought him new accolades. With this triumph, he has equaled his win tally from his title-winning seasons in 2022 and 2023, with nine more rounds still to go. This suggests that Bagnaia is well on his way to setting new personal records by the end of the year. Moreover, Bagnaia’s 25th win in the premier class places him alongside the legendary Kevin Schwantz on the list of riders with the most victories. This achievement also positions him among the top 10 most successful riders in MotoGP history, surpassing Wayne Rainey. Bagnaia’s next targets are Dani Pedrosa and Eddie Lawson, who each have 31 wins.
The Red Bull Ring has become a fortress for Bagnaia. With this latest victory, it becomes the fourth track where he has secured three or more Grand Prix wins, joining Jerez, Mugello, and Assen. Remarkably, he has remained unbeaten at these circuits over the past three years, showcasing his exceptional consistency and skill.
Ducati, too, has reached new heights with its performance at the Austrian Grand Prix. The victory marked Ducati’s ninth win at the Red Bull Ring, making it the brand’s most successful track, surpassing Qatar, where it has eight wins. This dominance is a testament to the superiority of the Desmosedici on tracks that suit its characteristics.
Ducati continues to break records with its consistent podium finishes. In Austria, Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini joined Bagnaia on the podium, securing Ducati’s eighth consecutive podium lockout. This feat extends the record set two weeks ago at Silverstone. The last time a non-Ducati rider finished on the podium was at the Americas GP, which was won by Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales. Ducati’s triple podium finish in Austria also equaled Honda’s all-time record of 17 triple podiums in the premier class. With nine more races left in the season, Ducati has ample opportunity to surpass this record and claim the title of the most successful manufacturer in MotoGP history.
As rival manufacturers scramble to close the gap, it is evident that Ducati, led by the extraordinary Francesco Bagnaia, is currently in a league of its own. The records broken at the Austrian MotoGP serve as a clear indication of their dominance in the 2024 season, and with several races still to go, there is no telling how many more records they will set.