Stoner Points the Finger at Rossi and Underlines the Mistake That Cost Him His 10th Title: ‘He Started It; It Was a Mistake to Antagonize Márquez’
In a recent reflection on one of the most controversial seasons in MotoGP history, two-time world champion Casey Stoner shed light on the events that unfolded in 2015, implicating Valentino Rossi in the fallout that ultimately cost him a chance at his 10th world title. Stoner, who has never been shy about speaking his mind, pointed out that Rossi made a crucial mistake in antagonizing Marc Márquez, a decision that had lasting consequences on the season’s outcome.
The 2015 MotoGP season was unforgettable, not only for the fierce on-track battles but also for the off-track drama that peaked during the Malaysian Grand Prix. Tensions between Rossi and Márquez flared in the latter part of the season, reaching a boiling point when Rossi accused Márquez of intentionally helping Jorge Lorenzo by holding him up during races. This culminated in an infamous on-track clash at Sepang, where Rossi and Márquez collided, resulting in Rossi being handed a penalty that required him to start the final race in Valencia from the back of the grid. That penalty played a significant role in denying Rossi his 10th title, as Lorenzo went on to claim the championship.
Reflecting on these events, Stoner, who had been an outspoken critic of Rossi in the past, didn’t hold back his opinions. “Rossi started it,” Stoner said in a recent interview. “He made the mistake of bringing Márquez into the psychological battle when he didn’t need to. It was a gamble that backfired spectacularly.”
Stoner’s view is that Rossi’s decision to publicly accuse Márquez of influencing the title race changed the dynamics. “By antagonizing Márquez, Rossi underestimated just how much Márquez would push back. Márquez is a fighter, and once that relationship broke down, it was impossible to repair. From that moment, Rossi had lost control of the situation.”
The rivalry between Rossi and Márquez, according to Stoner, became a distraction for Rossi, who was otherwise in prime form to secure his 10th championship. “Rossi’s focus shifted from racing to trying to control what was happening off-track. In that crucial part of the season, instead of concentrating on securing points, the focus was on mind games. It was a mistake.”
Stoner also commented on how Márquez responded to the situation. “Marc is not someone who backs down easily, and once Rossi tried to involve him in the championship battle in that way, it was inevitable that Márquez would fight back. What happened in Sepang was the result of months of growing tension.”
The fallout from the Rossi-Márquez incident divided the MotoGP fanbase, with many blaming Márquez for meddling in the title race, while others felt Rossi’s actions were unnecessary and provocative. Stoner, who had experienced intense rivalries with both riders during his career, saw the conflict from a more detached perspective. “Both riders are fiercely competitive, but in this case, Rossi miscalculated. He’s a legend of the sport, no doubt, but this was a mistake that cost him dearly.”
As MotoGP continues to evolve, the 2015 season remains a topic of intense debate, and Stoner’s recent comments add a fresh perspective to an already well-documented chapter in the sport’s history. While Rossi eventually retired with nine world titles, the elusive 10th crown that slipped away in 2015 remains a bittersweet memory for his fans—a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the high-stakes world of motorcycle racing.
