I’ve been going back and forth on what I want my 2021 season review post to look like. What do I want to focus on? What do I want to look at critically? The 2021 season offered so much worth reporting on. Plenty of material to discuss, to reflect on, to say thank you and, unfortunately, to mourn.
Normality set in – Even though we are still in the midst of the pandemic in 2021, a little more normality set in. On some routes, spectators were allowed again. Even if the number of spectators was limited. For the drivers and the spectators on site, it was a step back into normal life.
Deficits revealed – Despite the return of Marc Marquez, things were not yet running smoothly at Honda. It was not until the middle of the season that Marc was able to put the first exclamation marks. But what became clear, even in the 2020 season, was that without Marc Marquez, not much was going right at Honda. Without him, Honda looked almost helpless. They should learn from this for the future and not put everything on the Marc Marquez card. Also the pilots from the supposed second row should be competitive with the Honda.
Losses mourned – The tragic death of Jason Dupasquier in Moto3 qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello not only overshadowed the race, but was also the impetus for a discussion about safety in the smaller classes. Dupasquier crashed in qualifying and was injured by a rider behind him. He succumbed to these injuries in the hospital. The new rules are designed to counteract this. Smaller rider fields, higher age limits to enter the classes. The motorcycles are becoming more and more similar and the fields of riders in the smaller classes are getting bigger and bigger, which has led to an increasingly aggressive riding style. For me, however, the environment and the age of the riders also play a role. The young riders learn very quickly: Either you perform or you’re out, there’s enough talent waiting for another chance. This pressure creates mistakes. The new rules should make the junior classes safer. Let’s hope so, so that we don’t have to lament the loss of a young driver again.
Triumphs were celebrated – Fabio Quartararo offered an incredible season and rewarded himself at Misano with his first MotoGP World Championship title, despite the fact that his Yamaha was not the dominant bike in the field. Quartararo managed to get everything out of his factory Yamaha – but also criticized Yamaha in the hour of triumph. Let’s hope that these frank words are received by the developers.
Dominance proven – Ducati’s decision in 2014 to hire Gigi Dall’Igna as racing boss was a decision for the future. With the engineering fox Dall’Igna, Ducati has managed to make its proud Italian diva rideable. So rideable, in fact, that after the first test and the fact that ten Ducati riders will be competing next season, there is talk everywhere of Ducati supremacy. Rightly?! Maybe so. Even if the other factories can still improve. In 2021, the team and constructors’ titles went to Borgo Panigale, so let’s see if the individual title also goes there.
Heroes honored – Valentino Rossi is one of the greats to leave the MotoGP stage. Yes, I know it sounds trite, but let’s be honest, that’s the way it is. Valentino Rossi is not only one of the most successful MotoGP riders, he also represents MotoGP like no other. To exaggerate – MotoGP is Valentino Rossi, Valentino Rossi is MotoGP. He knew how to stage himself like no other and thus create this hero status. Next season will be different, even if we will see the yellow 46 everywhere at the circuits of this world.
2021 offered a lot and for 2022 the first tests looked very promising. Now it’s time to recharge our batteries during the winter break and look forward to a great 2022 season.
Your Miss MotoGP