Casey Stoner is surprised Ducati has allowed Jorge Martin to battle for the 2024 MotoGP title on level te⛎rms but warns if it now ‘creates a problಞem, it will backfire’.

The Australian won Ducati’s firsﷺt world title in the premier class in 2007, before his relationship with the Italian brand soured and he left for Honda in 2011.

Stoner returned to Ducati in 2016 to become a test rider, before lea💞🌠ving that role in 2018.

Next weekend’s season finale in Barcelona will see Ducati celebrate its fourth riders’ title, as Pramac’s Martin and reigning double world champion Francesco Bagnaia lock horn𓂃s for the crown.

Martin is favourite to win the title with a 24-point lead heading to the final rouꦅnd.

Ducati has ensured a level ൩playing field between both riders, despite Martin’s signing for Aprilia for 2025 after being snubbed for a factory seat alongside Bagnaia.

Speaking in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport at EICMA, Stoner believes there are still elements of Ducati management who don’t want the number one plate to go to Aprilia next year and has warned that 🍸any meddling now will “backfire”.

“That's what Gigi [Dall’Igna] thinks, but then there are the [Ducati bo♛sses] who don'𓂃t want to lose the number one,” he said.

“But everyone is watching them ver༺y closely, if they make a miไstake like that, it will be found out.

“If they create a problem, it will backfire.🐽 I ♋hope that everything goes well and that we can see the real world champion.”

Stoner believes Martin “deserves” the championship in 2024 but his departure from Ducat🌄i will be tougher for him than it will be for the Italianꩲ manufacturer.

“Jor꧂ge has shown what he is capable of and has improved continuously,” the double world champion added.

“He deserves to win the world championship.

“For Ducati it would be a hard blow losing him next year, but I think even more so for Jorge, who has spent these years being loyal to the brand, has made extraordinary efforts to be the only one able to fight with Bagnaia to w﷽in races and the championship, and they deprived him of the opportunity to move up to the factory team.

“I don't think it's fair.

“But, unfort💙unately, that's how Ducati wꦿorks and that's why they've lost so many riders.