MotoGP News: Casey Stoner's Heartbreaking Confession: 'I Didn't Know Why They Hated Me So Much'

Alex Harrington | Jul 19, 2024

July 3, 2009; Monterey, CA; Moto GP rider Casey Stoner looks behind in the corkscrew during practice for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

 On the Ducati Diaries podcast, two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner opened up about the unexpectedly harsh treatment he received from British fans during the height of his career. Reflecting on his victories at Donington Park in 2007 and 2008, where he faced boos despite outstanding performances, Stoner expressed his bewilderment and pain over the animosity.

“The British fans, I was really hurt by,” Stoner remarked. “I didn’t know why they hated me so much.”

Stoner's tenure in MotoGP was marked by his direct approach and reserved demeanor, which, as he admits, might not have resonated well with the spectacle expected by fans and media in the UK.

"Even before I was up against Valentino Rossi, it wasn’t great. As soon as I challenged Valentino, then it just went downhill from there. It’s strange. Several other Aussie racers cut their teeth in the UK.

  "If it wasn’t for the UK, I wouldn’t have got to where I was. Several of my best friends are from the UK, from when I was there. I have such fond memories of the place.

   "When I returned, I got slaughtered. I couldn’t understand what I’d done."

He continued:

“In the UK they wanted more of a show, or a showman. I’d just tell it like it was, good or bad. Obviously, a load of people didn’t like it,” he explained. This clash of expectations began taking its toll on Stoner, who transitioned from being a sociable and outgoing individual to someone who became increasingly introverted due to the pressures of the sport. “MotoGP, in particular, turned me into an introvert,” he confessed.

Despite the challenges, Stoner had significant successes, clinching the MotoGP championship in 2007 with Ducati and again in 2011 with Honda. His victories, however, were not without internal struggles, as he faced constant criticism for not meeting the celebratory expectations often associated with such triumphs.

“They attack you more because you didn’t celebrate these wins like they wanted you to,” Stoner reflected. 

This misunderstanding extended into media portrayals, where Stoner's self-critical nature was often seen negatively. “Even when I won races, if I made mistakes or wasn’t happy with how I rode? There was work to do, more to get out of myself. That’s where I copped bad press,” he said. Over the years, however, Stoner learned to navigate the complex interactions with media and competitors more adeptly. “I challenged myself, after the first few years of challenging for MotoGP championships, on how to approach certain people. I started to read each person individually,” he noted. "Whether it was my competitors or the press."

Despite the adversities, Stoner doesn't regret his path and maintains a no-nonsense attitude towards his career and interactions. “I won’t change who I am. I still tell it like it is. I am maybe less harsh than I used to be. But that got me to where I was. I didn’t put any fluff on anything,” he stated firmly. 

Reflecting on his relationship with the UK, where he had moved at a young age to pursue his racing career, Stoner expressed a deep affection and gratitude, despite the harsh reception upon his return. “If it wasn’t for the UK, I wouldn’t have got to where I was. Several of my best friends are from the UK, from when I was there. I have such fond memories of the place,” he shared.