The Number One plate, according to Mick Doohan, is nothing more than a target for the other riders: “When you’re on the bike, you can’t even see it.”

Yes. The great world multi-champion had a gift for cutting through the crap.

Yet there are others for whom this superficial badge of honour is more important. Some riders. But probably more importantly all manufacturers. A picture of your bike with the champion’s Number One is more than just an empty talisman. It’s an advertising coup.

The British GP, and events leading up to it, threw the matter into sharp focus, as the often mistakenly under-rated Enea Bastianini claimed a clear double win and put himself firmly into the running for the championship.

His dominant performance may have been a bit unusual. But not really, when you consider his history. Bastianini, rather refreshingly the only top-level Italian not to be part of the VR46 milieu, won four races in 2021 on a year-old Ducati, earning a factory ride in the process.

The Number One plate, according to Mick Doohan, is nothing more than a target for the other riders

But in 2023 the self-styled “Beast” (an ill-fitting nickname for such a cool, calculating rider with an affable personality) endured an injury-plagued nightmare. At the very first race Luca Marini knocked him down and broke his shoulder. Another injury later in the year meant he missed eight races and struggled at others, but he still took a win.

Marc Marquez has been dropping away somewhat on his year-old bike, focusing the contest between defender Pecco Bagnaia and narrow points leader Jorge Martin. And now Bastianini too. After maximum points in Britain, the 26-year-old second factory Ducati rider is just 49 points adrift, with a total of 370 points available over the second half of the season.

All ride GP24 Ducatis, so the brand has the title in the bag. But next season, only Bagnaia will still be riding for Bologna. Martin, miffed at being twice passed over for the factory ride, is off to Aprilia. Bastianini, set to be demoted if he stayed, is off to KTM. Either of which would be more than delighted for one of their bikes to wear the Number One.

This leaves Ducati in a bind entirely of their own making. Or is that correct? Perhaps they are innocent victims of the power and ambition of Marc Marquez, whose insistence on a full factory bike next year caused all the pain.

Having said that, at Silverstone team high-up Davide Tardozzi confirmed that as well as the two for Bagnaia and Marquez in the home team, a third GP25 will be going to Fabio Di Giannantonio in Valentino Rossi’s VR46 squad (taking over from Yamaha-bound turncoat Pramac as the senior satellite team). If they’d given it instead to Marquez’s current Gresini team, he’d have been happy to stay there.

Either way, Ducati are in the soup.

In the past they have held themselves aloof from any team orders. As last year, when it was between Bagnaia and Martin. But there was nothing to lose.

Could mechanical sabotage be a factor in deciding the 2024 title?

Now, even if they do issue team orders, why would either of the departing riders feel any need to obey? Bagnaia and Marquez might be inclined to do so. But what could the orders be… to join forces to knock the other two down?

There is a way they can tip the scales in favour of Bagnaia.

It’s not as crude as putting sugar in the petrol of the other two, but it amounts to the same thing. Mechanical sabotage, even if only indirectly, by giving Bagnaia upgrades denied to the other two. Although engine-freeze rules rather limit the possibilities.

Back in Rossi’s day, Michelin was always able to make special track-specific tyres just for him (ask Casey Stoner). But that’s not possible either.

It’s a job for a modern-day Macchiavelli. And is there anyone so manipulative inside Ducati? 

Please don’t answer that question.