If Jorge Martin manages to win the title in Barcelona, he will make history as the first rider in 23 years to win with a satellite team, a feat last achieved by Valentino Rossi.

Martin has led the 2024 season for most of the year and holds a 24-point lead going into the season finale, putting him within reach of his first world title. His closest competitor, reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia, crashed in the sprint race and gained only five more points than Martin in the main race. Therefore, Martin could secure the championship as early as Saturday if he extends his lead over Bagnaia by just two points.

After narrowly losing to Bagnaia last year, a win this season would be a perfect redemption and an achievement for the history books. Pramac already set a record last year by winning the team title, making them the first satellite team to accomplish this. However, no satellite rider has claimed the individual rider title since Rossi in 2001.

At that time, Rossi was riding for Nastro Azzurro, a semi-factory team supported by Honda. He came close to winning in his 2000 rookie season before dominating the 2001 season to claim his first title.

Besides Rossi, four other riders have won titles with non-factory teams. The first to do so was Kenny Roberts Sr. in 1978. After him, Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini won titles with the same team in 1981 and 1982. The last non-factory rider to win before Rossi was Eddie Lawson, who won the title in 1989.

Now, Martin stands on the brink of joining this elite group in the history books.