Why controversy has erupted over how many titles Marc Marquez should celebrate

Dorna has started to put more emphasis on achievements in MotoGP than those in the lower categories.

Although many point to Liberty Media as the one responsible for the idea, the truth is that the initiative originated in the offices of Dorna at the beginning of this year, before the acquisition by the American media company was finalised.

The idea is to strengthen the image of the 'MotoGP' brand, to give it greater value and to try to extend its global reach, bringing it to more people and raising awareness in parts of the world where it is still largely unknown.

As part of the overhaul, the series’ logo was changed at the end of last year in a significant investment in the brand’s image, making the word ‘MotoGP’ itself the focus of the championship.

From that point on, the premier-class statistics were fully unified, encompassing both the 500cc era and the current era, which began in 2002.

"Starting this year – and it was a decision made before the end of the season, meaning it has nothing to do with the possibility of Marquez winning the title – the world championship organiser has started counting MotoGP titles and talking more and more about MotoGP, instead of the other categories," championship sources explained to El Periodico de Catalunya.

"In that sense, what we will celebrate in Motegi if Marquez manages to close out the championship will be his seventh MotoGP world title. That also means that we have started using 'MotoGP' instead of 'premier class' or 500cc/MotoGP.”

Podium: race winner Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

The problem arose when it came to counting titles, since there are quite a few riders who have championships in multiple divisions, such as Valentino Rossi (7+2), Jorge Lorenzo (3+2), Francesco Bagnaia (2+1) and the current points leader Marc Marquez, who has six titles in MotoGP in addition to one each in Moto2 and 125cc. 

This weekend, Marquez has a strong chance of adding another championship to his tally, tying Rossi’s nine titles across all categories in a quest that, in the public opinion, has greater significance.

That’s why fans have reacted strongly to the idea that Marquez might not be able to celebrate his ninth crown and tie with Rossi, but that notion is completely ludicrous.

The reality is that the Spaniard rider will win his ninth world championship and seventh MotoGP title this year. It's that simple.

"This issue has been discussed with Marc, and he understands it perfectly. We're going to celebrate and help him celebrate his seventh MotoGP title, but no one is going to take the other two championships away from him," explained sources within Dorna's top management.

"Giacomo Agostini will be an eight-time MotoGP champion, Marc Marquez will be a seven-time MotoGP champion, Valentino Rossi will be a seven-time MotoGP champion, and Mick Doohan will be a five-time MotoGP champion.

"But of course, no one is going to take any title away from anyone. Agostini is, first of all, an eight-time MotoGP champion, but of course, he's still a 15-time world champion.”

World Champion Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team celebrates with his team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

Marquez himself was spot on this Thursday ahead of the Japanese GP, by putting legacy above statistics, as he once again drew on his admiration for Lionel Messi: “I’m a big Barcelona fan, but I don’t remember how many Ballon d’Or awards Messi has, though I do know what he has meant for football.”

Directly addressing the celebration, whether he would show a ‘seven’, as Dorna requests, or a ‘nine,’ as he feels like, Marquez remained diplomatic: “It's not in my hands. 

“Of course, the numbers matter a lot, but the most important [thing] is that the people remember me as I give everything on track. 

“They are not in my hands, but the most important [thing] is to increase those numbers. It doesn't matter how.”