MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MODERN MOTORSPORT

In modern motorsport, it’s often said that drivers matter less than they did in the past, and that standing out has become harder. If we think about it, this is true: the gap between an average driver and a talented one has narrowed, just like the performance differences between vehicles. We don’t have to go far back—just look at the early 2000s, when the gap between top teams and midfield teams was around a second per lap, especially in qualifying. In those conditions, even an outstanding driver would have had little chance of standing out without a competitive car. The same holds true in MotoGP, although here the rider always plays a larger role in race performance.

In this context, standing out today is much more difficult: the competition is fierce, and all the drivers are very close in terms of performance. That’s why what Marc Marquez and Max Verstappen are doing in 2024 is even more impressive. These two are absolute champions, both with an aggressive and determined racing style, very similar in their approach on the track. Personally, I don’t always like how they race, often forcing their rivals to adapt to their rhythm, pushing the limits of the rules. However, it’s undeniable that their extraordinary talent and ability to consistently perform at the limit is something special.

On one hand, we have Marquez, who after years of struggling due to a serious injury and Honda's performance decline, has returned to prove his worth. This year, he has shown—if there was ever any doubt—that he remains a key asset for any team. Even though his main competitors this season weren’t Martin or Bagnaia, Marquez clearly outperformed his rivals. In recent years, it has become very hard to stand out in MotoGP, especially due to the importance of tire management during races. Despite this, Marc, on a bike he wasn’t familiar with, managed to be superior to many riders who have been riding the GP23 for years. Moreover, with only a few races left, he is still in contention for the championship, despite the GP24 generally being considered more powerful.

On the other hand, Verstappen, for the first time in his career as a title contender, has had to face a season with a car that wasn’t up to the level of his rivals. After a strong start, once the championship returned to Europe, Red Bull was no longer the dominant car, but Max certainly was. With a few rare exceptions—like in Budapest—Verstappen has managed to maintain a significant lead and is still the favorite to win the title. While McLaren has made significant progress, it’s clear how much of an added value Verstappen is today.

In modern motorsport, it’s true that you can’t win without a competitive vehicle, just as it was true thirty years ago—just look at Ayrton Senna’s titles, always achieved with top-level cars. However, in cases like Marquez and Verstappen, it’s fair to say that without them, those vehicles probably wouldn’t even be considered “the best.”

© Simone Marchetti